Rangelands (pastoral) - Drench Decision Guide

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Disclaimer:
Future events cannot reliably be predicted accurately. ParaBoss, UNE and Sheep CRC makes 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 ('Information'). ParaBoss, UNE and Sheep CRC disclaims 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.

Are these sheep 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 can cause similar signs. Consult your vet if WormTests do not indicate worms.

Will these sheep soon be mustered for a management event?

Yes, they are lambs due to be lamb marked
Yes, they are lambs due to be weaned
Yes, they are sheep older than weaned lambs
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
Sheep 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 sheep for some weeks
Sheep 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: Pastoral

Date: %01 %May %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 lambs are developing normally and putting on weight (if not seek veterinary advice). WormTest the lambs 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 sheep 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 sheep to another paddock.

Drench[1] (without a prior WormTest) prior to the flood arrival. Consider a long-acting product only if sheep are likely to be isolated for more than 6 weeks and they are in a summer rainfall area and ground conditions are wet. Also consider a fly preventative treatment and then move sheep 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 sheep should not require treatment. Review the Drench Decision Guide again if sheep show signs[1] that suggest a worm infection, if sheep 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 sheep and the type of WormTest result.

Threshold worm egg counts at and above which sheep should be drenched in the Pastoral region

Class of sheep	No culture or culture has less than 60% barber's pole (i.e. mostly scour worms)	Culture has more than 60% barber's pole
Ewes (dry to mid-pregnancy) or wethers	400 epg	800 epg
Ewes pre-lambing	300 epg	300 epg
Sheep under 18 months or rams	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 to slow drench resistance

When giving all treatments

Follow the product labels. Dose to the heaviest sheep in the mob or groups. 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 withholding periods and export slaughter intervals.

Choosing treatment options on your property

Use these 4 principles together, where possible:

Use drenches most effective on your property; ideally those shown to reduce worm egg count by at least 98%. If drench effectiveness is unknown, conduct a DrenchCheck-Day10 after drenching.
Use a combination of 2 or more drench groups.
Rotate drench groups each time a mob is drenched and for each paddock.
Use short-acting treatments.

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

Long-acting treatments

These are rarely necessary in the Pastoral region. You should seek expert advice before using them; more details can be found in the 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 can cause similar signs. Consult your vet if WormTests do not indicate worms.

³Threshold worm egg counts at and above which sheep should be drenched in the Pastoral region

Class of sheep	No culture or culture has less than 60% barber's pole (i.e. mostly scour worms)	Culture has more than 60% barber's pole
Ewes (dry to mid-pregnancy) or wethers	400 epg	800 epg
Ewes pre-lambing	300 epg	300 epg
Sheep under 18 months or rams	300 epg	500 epg

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Pastoral

Drench Decision Guide

Pastoral

1Signs of worms

WormBoss Drench Decision Guide Report

Your Selections

Your Recommended Action

1Guidelines for worm control treatments to slow drench resistance

2Signs of worms

3Threshold worm egg counts at and above which sheep should be drenched in the Pastoral region

¹Signs of worms

¹Guidelines for worm control treatments to slow drench resistance

²Signs of worms

³Threshold worm egg counts at and above which sheep should be drenched in the Pastoral region