NSW northeast and Qld Granite Belt

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Disclaimer:
Future events cannot reliably be predicted accurately. The University of New England ("UNE") and Meat & Livestock Australia Limited ("MLA") make no statement, representations or warranties about the accuracy or completeness of, and you should not rely on any information relating to the Drench Decision Guide for Goats ('Information'). UNE and MLA disclaim all responsibility for the Information and all liability (including without limitation liability and negligence) for all expenses, costs, losses and damages you may incur as a result of the Information being inaccurate or incomplete in any way for any reason. Published October 2016 © The University of New England and Meat & Livestock Australia Limited 2016.

Are these does that will kid within 4 weeks (or are you returning to this Drench Decision Guide from a previous recommendation)?

Yes, I am returning with a worm egg count from a previous recommendation
Yes, and the kidding paddock is low worm-risk[1]
Yes, but the kidding paddock is NOT low worm-risk[1]
No

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¹Low worm-risk paddocks

Preparing low worm-risk paddocks involves preventing worm contamination on them prior to use: 3 months for a summer weaning paddock, and just the warmer months (daily max. temperatures >18℃) in the 6 months prior for a spring kidding.

Are these kids that will be weaned within 2 weeks?

Yes, and the weaning paddock is low worm-risk[1]
Yes, but the weaning paddock is NOT low worm-risk[1]
No

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¹Low worm-risk paddocks

Preparing low worm-risk paddocks involves preventing worm contamination on them prior to use: 3 months for a summer weaning paddock, and just the warmer months (daliy max. temperatures >18℃).

On close inspection (with goats yarded or held tightly against a fence), are these goats showing signs[1] suggesting a worm infection?

There are no signs of worm infection
There are no signs of worm infection AND I have a recent worm egg count
Yes, at least 2% of the mob are showing signs: including pale inside eyelids and gums, bottle jaw, lagging/collapse
Yes, only 1—2% of the mob are showing signs: including pale inside eyelids and gums, bottle jaw, lagging/collapse
Yes, some are scouring, but not showing the other signs listed above

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¹Signs of worms

Closely examine for signs of worms, yard or hold goats against a fence. Catch and examine 5—10 animals.

Barber's pole worm: anaemia (pale inside eyelids and gums); 'bottle jaw' (swelling under the jaw); lagging or collapse when mustered; death.

Scour worms (black scour worm [Trichostrongylus species]; brown stomach worm [Teladorsagia circumcincta]; and others [incl. Nematodirus]): dark scours; weight loss; death.

NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consider getting animal health advice.

What 'length of protection' treatment type was last used?

Persistent (mid-length and long-acting drenches, injections and capsules giving ongoing protection)
Short-acting (drenches with no ongoing protection) or the last treatment type is unknown

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What type of WormTest results do you have?

Worm egg counts and a culture
Worm egg counts but no culture (consider a culture next time), however recent culture or experience suggests barber's pole worm
Worm egg counts but no culture (consider a culture next time), however recent culture or experience suggests scour worms
None

NOTE: If treatment was less than 3 weeks ago and you now have a positive result, your drench may be ineffective. Seek veterinary advice because a DrenchTest might be required.

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Is the percentage of barber's pole worm (Haemonchus contortus), shown in the larval culture, higher than 60%?

Yes
No

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There are greater than 60% barber's pole worms.

In the table below, find the worm egg count threshold for the average goat condition of your mob and the condition of the pasture they will graze.

(If pasture[1] or goat condition[2] is unknown, use a worm egg count value of 800 epg).

Worm egg count (epg) thresholds for barber's pole worm
Goat condition[2] (or growth rate for weaners)	Pasture condition[1]
Goat condition[2] (or growth rate for weaners)	Poor	Moderate	Good
Poor	400	600	800
Moderate	600	800	900
Good	800	900	1000

What is your worm egg count in relation to the threshold value?

My worm egg count is equal to or higher than the threshold value
My worm egg count is below the threshold value

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¹Pasture condition

Pasture condition can also be defined by the amount of green herbage mass in kg DM/ha

Poor: less than 600 kg DM of green herbage mass/ha
Moderate: 600—1200 kg DM of green herbage mass/ha
Good: more than 1200 kg DM of green herbage mass/ha

²Goat condition

Goat condition can also be defined by body condition scores

Poor: score 2 or less
Moderate: score 2.5
Good: score 3 or better

There are greater than 40% scour worms.

In the table below, find the worm egg count threshold for the average goat condition of your mob and the condition of the pasture they will graze.

(If pasture[1] or goat condition[2] is unknown, use a worm egg count value of 400).

Worm egg count (epg) thresholds for scour worm
Goat condition[2] (or growth rate for weaners)	Pasture condition[1]
Goat condition[2] (or growth rate for weaners)	Poor	Moderate	Good
Poor	200	300	400
Moderate	300	400	500
Good	400	500	600

What is your worm egg count in relation to the threshold value?

My worm egg count is equal to or higher than the threshold value
My worm egg count is below the threshold value

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¹Pasture condition

Pasture condition can also be defined by the amount of green herbage mass in kg DM/ha

Poor: less than 600 kg DM of green herbage mass/ha
Moderate: 600—1200 kg DM of green herbage mass/ha
Good: more than 1200 kg DM of green herbage mass/ha

²Goat condition

Goat condition can also be defined by body condition scores

Poor: score 2 or less
Moderate: score 2.5
Good: score 3 or better

WormBoss Drench Decision Guide Report

Region: NSW northeast and Qld Granite Belt

Date: %01 %May %2024

Your Selections

History of selection will appear here

Your Recommended Action

Treat kidding does with an effective short-acting drench[1] and then WormTest 1 week before marking. In a well-prepared low worm-risk paddock, does often do not need treatment at marking.

NOTE: While mid-length (some combined with vaccine) and long-acting 'mectin'/ML (macrocyclic lactone) products provide convenience, their use in this situation can increase drench resistance on your farm. It is best to reserve these treatments for the higher and longer worm-risk times later in summer and autumn. They are not required when low worm-risk paddocks are used.

Treat kidding does with an effective short-acting drench[1]. A WormTest 1 week before marking is essential.

Consider preparing a low worm-risk kidding paddock from autumn next year.

NOTE: While mid-length (some combined with vaccine) and long-acting 'mectin'/ML (macrocyclic lactone) products provide convenience, their use in this situation can increase drench resistance on your farm. It is best to reserve these treatments for the higher and longer worm-risk times later in summer and autumn. They are not required when low worm-risk paddocks are used.

Treat weaners with an effective short-acting drench[1] and then WormTest 4 weeks later[2].

NOTE: While mid-length (some combined with vaccine) and long-acting 'mectin'/ML (macrocyclic lactone) products provide convenience, their use in this situation can increase drench resistance on your farm. It is best to reserve these treatments for the higher and longer worm-risk times later in summer and autumn. They are not required when low worm-risk paddocks are used.

Treat weaners with an effective short-acting drench[1] and then WormTest 4 weeks later[2].

However, a long-acting treatment may be warranted at weaning because low worm-risk weaning paddocks were not prepared and if the next few months are predicted to be high worm-risk weather conditions. Follow the guidelines below for long-acting drenches[1].

Treat the entire mob now with a drench[1] shown to be effective against the worms present and then WormTest 4 weeks later[2].

NOTE: Do not use an organophosphate drench on severely worm-affected or stressed goats. Consider that other parasites/diseases cause similar signs.

If the paddock to be used after treatment is not considered to be highly contaminated with worm larvae, give an effective short-acting drench[1] and WormTest in 4 weeks[2].
If the paddock to be used after treatment is considered to be highly contaminated with worm larvae, give an effective long-acting treatment. Follow the guidelines below for long-acting drenches[1]. Usually, long-acting 'mectin'/ML (macrocyclic lactone) treatments are best restricted to February–April to minimize development of ML resistance, but high worm-risk may require its use at other times.

Treat affected individuals now with an effective short-acting drench[1] and WormTest the mob now. Also, investigate other causes of their signs.

NOTE: Do not use an organophosphate drench on severely worm-affected or stressed goats.

WormTest now, then return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching.

If the test shows that scour worms do not require treatment, then the scouring may be from coccidiosis or feed and you should seek veterinary advice on treatment or management.
If treatment is required, use an effective short-acting drench[1].

If WormTest results are greater than 100 epg, treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] and then WormTest 4—6 weeks later[2].
If you have no WormTest results (or worm egg counts are below 100 epg), follow the instructions below to check effectiveness of your treatment at day 60. Also follow the guidelines below for long-acting drenches[1].

Anytime that you are concerned that the treatment is not providing protection, WormTest immediately.

WormTest in 4 weeks (summer) or 6 weeks (winter) after the last treatment was given and observe goats closely for signs of worms[1].

WormTest in another 4 weeks (summer) or 6 weeks (winter) and observe goats closely for signs of worms[1].

This recommendation should be read with the information provided below.

Review available drenches with the WormBoss drench search

¹Signs of worms

Closely examine for signs of worms, yard or hold goats against a fence. Catch and examine 5—10 animals.

Barber's pole worm: anaemia (pale inside eyelids and gums); 'bottle jaw' (swelling under the jaw); lagging or collapse when mustered; death.

Scour worms (black scour worm [Trichostrongylus species]; brown stomach worm [Teladorsagia circumcincta]; and others [incl. Nematodirus]): dark scours; weight loss; death.

NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consider getting veterinary advice.

²High risk barber's pole worm conditions

Goats can sometimes be rapidly re-infected with worms, causing illness and death within 2 weeks of a drench. In these situations (i) check at least weekly for visual signs of barber's pole worm; and (ii) conduct a DrenchCheck. To reduce this risk, prepare low worm-risk pastures.

³Guidelines for worm control treatments

When using anthelmintic products in goats, obtain a veterinary prescription because:

Goats require a different dose rate and withholding period to that on the label.
Many drenches are not registered for use in goats (see exceptions below).

Victoria: over the counter sheep drenches can be used if residues are kept below the Maximum Residue Limits (MRL).

South Australia: cattle drenches can be used in goats, but pour-on formulations should be avoided.

When giving all treatments

Follow the product labels. Dose to the heaviest goat in the mob. Calibrate equipment to ensure the right dose is delivered with the right procedures. Do not mix drenches unless the label states they are compatible. Check and comply with withholding periods and export slaughter intervals.

Choosing treatment options on your property

Use these principles together, where possible:

Use drenches tested to be most effective on your property and either multi-active products or more than one active concurrently (up the race with one and then the other); if drench effectiveness is unknown, conduct a DrenchCheck after drenching.
Use short-acting treatments—reserve long-acting products for specific purposes or high worm-risk times.

For more details read the drench resistance section in the WormBoss Worm Control Program.

Check effectiveness of long-acting treatments

Use only under veterinary prescription.

WormTest with a culture at 35, 60 and 90 days after treatment.

If WormTest results are 100 epg or above, drench resistance is likely. Drench immediately with an effective short-acting drench with a different drench group to the long-acting treatment.

Seek veterinary advice on the further use of this product.

If WormTest results are less than 100 epg, then treat with an exit drench at 100 days after the long-acting treatment was given (you can delay drenching if this occurs in the cold period, see next column).

Seek veterinary advice if WormTests are positive at or before 60 days.

Primer and exit drenches

These help to slow drench resistance to persistent treatments.

Protection period of persistent treatments for sheep

(Goat times are unknown, but likely much shorter as goats metabolise the drenches faster)

Mid-length: 7—28 days. Long-acting: 91—100 days.

NOTE: The registered protection period against susceptible black scour worm with a long-acting moxidectin injection is 49 days, but is not set in goats.

Use a primer before long-acting treatments

Primer drenches (effective short-acting treatments that do not include the drench group in the long-acting treatment) should be given concurrently with all long-acting treatments

Use an exit drench after all mid-length and long-acting treatments

Treat with an 'exit drench'—an effective short-acting treatment that does not include the drench group in the mid-length or long-acting treatment. Also called a 'tail-cutter' drench.
Give this at 42 days (mid-length) or 100 days (long-acting) after the treatment was given (in the tablelands’ cold period, you can delay the exit drench, as described below).
WormTest 4–6 weeks after the exit drench.

Delay the exit drench if the protection from the persistent treatment runs out during the cold period (average daily maximum temperatures are consistently below 18℃) and an egg count indicates drenching is not required. The exit drench can simply then be given as the next drench that is required, but not later than 3 weeks before the end of the cold period, to ensure removal of any drench-resistant worms.

Anytime that you are concerned that the persistent treatment is not providing protection, WormTest immediately and seek veterinary advice regarding drench resistance.

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Drench Decision Guide