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.

Tip: Keep this page open and open the links in new tabs.

Victoria: 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).

Victoria: 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 in Victoria?
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 in Victoria?

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?

Roundworms

The most important roundworms in this region are:

• Scour worms

o Black scour worm Trichostrongylus vitrinus / Trichostrongylus colubriformis
o Small brown stomach worm Teladorsagia (Ostertagia) circumcincta
o Thin-necked intestinal worm Nematodirus spp.

In specific areas in some or most years: the west coast of Victoria, some of the south-western edges of the state including up the border to Edenhope, coastal areas of East Gippsland, irrigation areas such as the Goulburn Valley and Pyramid Hill and extending further into the state in particularly wet years:

• Barber’s pole worm Haemonchus contortus

Very wet years generally cause higher burdens of all worms. These can be fatal without scouring occurring.

Liver fluke

Liver fluke is an internal parasite that occurs in parts of this region depending on the distribution of the intermediate host snail. It can cause deaths from acute infections of immature fluke and Black disease from October to January, or anaemia and ill-thrift from chronic infections (generally January–June).

The life cycle differs from the simple lifecycle of roundworms, so control strategies are different.
This program relates to roundworms. To control liver fluke, see Liver fluke control.

---

Links to the learning topics for Victoria

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