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Our season is hanging on in many areas, although while attacking the lawns t’other day, I was surprised to see large cracks in the soil hidden by the green mat. Rain is forecast for the next few days (20–24 November).
Marking is just about complete, and the earlier lambers are weaning (or should be). Be prepared to wean as soon as possible unless there is substantial rain in the next week to rejuvenate the spring. Now, the weaning drench is the first summer drench for those with a strategic programme. If cross-bred ewes are being sent to Jenny Craig paddocks, it is unlikely they will need a drench. Those remaining on perennial pastures should be drenched along with the lambs. The weaning/first summer drench is the most important of the year, so make sure you use a drench that works: use your DrenchTest information or one of the new products (Startect® (abamectin and derquantel) or Zolvix Plus (abamectin plus Monepantel)—but watch the export slaughter interval (ESI) of 84 days with the latter).
Mainland lambs are arriving in large numbers. On the whole we expect drench resistance to be worse than it is here. Use a potent quarantine drench with at least 4 actives, including one or both of the newer actives: monepantel or derquantel. Also beware of the potential for importing lice and footrot (see comments below on lice biosecurity).
Pasture Grubs: Attached is a picture of grub predation on a ryegrass pasture. It’s drawing a long bow to write about them in a sheep worm missive, but as my mainland colleagues are ignorant of these things it may be instructional. The culprits were black-headed cockchafers, which are treatable, unlike their red-headed cousins.
Lice Biosecurity: The high wool prices (and perhaps a return to Merino sheep) rejuvenates concerns about preventing lice. Losses due to lice infestation are found in this article, and you can do the sums on what current losses may be. Remember that fine and superfine clips will be absolutely crucified by even modest lice infestations.
Cynical Paul sometimes contends that biosecurity plans have little day-to-day utility. This is not the case with lice biosecurity: if you understand and act diligently on the risks (whether you have a written plan or not) you may well save yourself a packet. Jenny Cotter has written a great article on this, but it’s important to highlight a few actions you can take to have a workable approach to lice prevention: