Victoria worms, flies and lice update - June 2020

Dr Lexie Leonard

Hamilton: Lexie Leonard, Veterinary Consultant, Livestock Logic (l.leonard@livestocklogic.com.au)

• Hoggets, lambing ewes and spring calves are at greatest risk of worm issues.
• Assess pasture risk as well as stock risk when making drenching decisions.
• Following on from a great Autumn break, stock are looking good around the south-west region and, in general, are a quarter of a condition score (CS) heavier than this time last year. 

Don’t get complacent with worm burdens in your stock. Over the past four weeks we have seen worm counts remain fairly level, and are definitely lower than anticipated. However, WECs can rise sharply in vulnerable stock, so maintaining a monitoring program is essential, especially over the next six weeks.  The season continues to be a moderate risk year, with prior worm control in summer and autumn dictating the amount of parasite problems we see now coming into winter.  If you feel your worm control hasn’t been up to scratch, now is a good time to start re-thinking your spring and early summer drenching plans. 

Hoggets, weaner cattle and light lambing ewes are most at risk of worm burdens, and it is important to keep this in mind when selecting lamb paddocks that may not have had a good larval kill over summer. We have also seen pockets of barber’s pole worm outbreaks in lighter, sandy soils and areas with minimal frosts.