The introduction gives a summary of the annual control program and describes the worm control regions and worms encountered here.

Structured reading

For those who like to see all the information and simply read through it in order. Each heading is a link to a page of information—the dot point provides a summary of the page.

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Australian smallholders: Program summary
What to do and when to do it for an annual worm control program in this region. Day-to-day drenching decisions will use the Drench Decision Guide (see topic: Deciding when to drench and what drench to use).

Australian smallholders: Introduction
Information about the location, subregions and worms typically encountered here.

Question and answer

For those who prefer a problem based approach to learning, answer the following questions.
Each of the questions below links further down the page to the answers.

Questions:

1. What are the 5 strategies used to control worms for Australian Smallholders?
2. What are the most important worms in this region?

Answers:

You can also click on each question below to go to WormBoss pages with related information.

1. What are the 5 strategies used to control worms for Australian Smallholders?

1. Use a strategic drenching program
2. WormTest at recommended times
3. Use grazing management to create low worm-risk paddocks
4. Breed and feed for worm-resistant goats
5. Manage drench resistance

2. What are the most important worms in this region?

Smallholders properties can have a wide range of worms depending on the region in which they are located and from where the goats were initially purchased. Below are possible worms that could be on small properties.

Roundworms

• Barber’s pole worm Haemonchus contortus
• Scour worms
  • Black scour worm Trichostrongylus colubriformis
  • Small brown stomach worm Teladorsagia (Ostertagia circumcincta
  • Thin-necked intestinal worm Nematodirus species (in young sheep)

Less important or only occasionally seen worms:

• Large bowel worm Oesophagostomum venulosum
• Small intestinal worm Cooperia species
• Black scour worm Trichostrongylus vitrinus

Liver fluke

• Liver fluke is an internal parasite that occurs only in some regions where there are colonies of the intermediate host snail (Austropeplea (Lymnaea) tomentosa). It can affect goats severely, sometimes causing deaths. The life cycle differs from the simple life cycle of roundworms, so control strategies are different. Liver fluke should be considered if there are cases of anaemia or bottle jaw in goats that are not associated with barber’s pole worm. To control liver fluke, see Liver fluke control.

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Links to the learning topics for Australian smallholders

1. Introduction (you are currently on this page)
2. Grazing management
3. Breeding for worm resistance
4. Worm testing
5. Drenching
6. Drench resistance management
7. Goat worms