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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Western Australian Winter rainfall: 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).

Western Australian Winter rainfall: 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 Western Australia?
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 Western Australia?

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 sheep
5. Manage drench resistance

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

The most important roundworms in this region are:

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

In areas where sufficient summer rainfall occurs to maintain perennial pastures (mostly within 40 km of the coast):

• Barber’s pole worm Haemonchus contortus

Higher burdens of all worms are likely in very wet years. These can be fatal with or without scouring occurring.

Links to the learning topics for Western Australia

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. Sheep worms