Rangelands (pastoral)

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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 goats showing signs[1] that suggest a worm infection (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, they are showing one or more of these signs: scours; weight loss; anaemia (pale inside eyelids and gums); 'bottle jaw' (swelling under the jaw); lethargy, lagging or collapse when mustered; death
No, there are no obvious signs[1] of a worm infection

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¹Signs of worms

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

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

NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consult your veterinarian if WormTests do not indicate worms.

Will these goats soon be mustered for a management event?

Yes, they are kids due to be marked
Yes, they are kids due to be weaned
Yes, they are goats older than weaned kids
No, they are not due to be mustered

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Which one of the following grazing/pasture conditions apply?

Rain has fallen 6 or more weeks ago that has resulted in a green pick of annual grasses and herbage
Goats have been congregating in small areas for 4—6 weeks or more (due to flooding, drought, fire etc)
Predicted extensive flooding is expected to isolate and restrict goats for some weeks
Goats have been heavily grazing the green pick along bore drains/irrigation channels for 2—3 months or more AND there is little other paddock feed (due to drought or dry times)
None of the above apply

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Which one of the following location and seasonal situations apply?

It is November/December or February in north-west Victoria and the western Riverina AND winter and spring have been much wetter than usual
It is late winter/spring in southern Queensland AND autumn and winter were wet and the spring and summer is wet or likely to be wet
None of the above

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WormBoss Drench Decision Guide Report

Region: Rangelands (pastoral)

Date: %22 %Dec %2024

Your Selections

History of selection will appear here

Your Recommended Action

WormTest now, then return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching[1].

No treatment is required now if kids are developing normally and putting on weight (if not seek veterinary advice). WormTest the kids prior to weaning.

Consider a WormTest now, then return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching[1] when goats are yarded.

WormTest now, then return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching[1].

Where possible, move goats to another paddock.

Drench[1] (without a prior WormTest) prior to the flood arrival. Consider a long-acting product only if goats are likely to be isolated for more than 6 weeks and they are in a summer rainfall area and ground conditions are wet. Then move goats to higher paddocks.

WormTest now, then return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching[1]. Consider further WormTests each 2—3 months under these conditions.

Consider a WormTest when the pasture is haying off and in February. Return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching[1].

WormTest each 4—8 weeks (depending on the amount of rainfall) until the season dries out. Return to this Drench Decision Guide to see if the worm egg count indicates the need for drenching[1].

These goats should not require treatment. Review the Drench Decision Guide again if goats show signs[1] that suggest a worm infection, if goats are to be mustered or if seasonal and grazing conditions change.

This mob has a worm egg count result

Drench with a short-acting drench[1] if the mob's WormTest result is equal to or above the threshold figures in the table below for the class of goats and the type of WormTest result.

Threshold worm egg counts at and above which goats should be drenched in the Rangelands (pastoral) region

Class of goats	No culture or culture has less than 60% barber's pole (i.e. mostly scour worms)	Culture has more than 60% barber's pole
Does (dry to mid-pregnancy) or wethers	400 epg	700 epg
Does pre-kidding	300 epg	300 epg
Goats under 18 months or bucks	300 epg	500 epg

This recommendation should be read with the information provided below.

Review available drenches with the WormBoss drench search

¹Guidelines 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.

Long-acting treatments

These are rarely necessary in the Rangelands (pastoral) region. You should seek expert advice before using them; more details can be found in the Rangelands (pastoral) WormBoss Worm Control Program.

²Signs of worms

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

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

NOTE: Other diseases and poor nutrition can cause similar signs. Consult your vet if WormTests do not indicate worms.

³Threshold worm egg counts at and above which goats should be drenched in the Rangelands (pastora) region

Class of goats	No culture or culture has less than 60% barber's pole (i.e. mostly scour worms)	Culture has more than 60% barber's pole
Does (dry to mid-pregnancy) or wethers	400 epg	700 epg
Does pre-kidding	300 epg	300 epg
Goats under 18 months or bucks	300 epg	500 epg

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Drench Decision Guide