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Victorian Winter Rainfall

WormBoss

Drench Decision Guide

Victorian winter rainfall

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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] suggesting a worm infection?

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. Seek veterinary advice if WormTests do not indicate worms.

Are these sheep lambs or weaners?
Are these rams?
Are these ewes or wethers (or rams)?

WormBoss Drench Decision Guide Report

Region: Victorian winter rainfall

Date: %21 %Dec %2024

Your Selections

History of selection will appear here

Your Recommended Action

WormTest now. Treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] if egg count exceeds 200 epg, then WormTest again in 4—6 weeks[2].

If results show scour worms are not the likely cause of the scouring/weight loss, seek veterinary advice.

WormTest now and request a larval culture. Treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] if egg count exceeds 200 epg, then WormTest again in 4—6 weeks[2].

If results show barber's pole worm are not the likely cause of anaemia, seek veterinary advice.

No treatment is required now if lambs are developing normally and putting on weight (if not seek veterinary advice). Treat at weaning with an effective short-acting drench[1].

Treat at weaning with an effective short-acting drench[1].

WormTest spring-drop lambs 5—6 weeks after this weaning drench (earlier if a wetter than normal summer), or autumn-drop lambs 4—5 weeks after[2].

WormTest spring-drop lambs 5—6 weeks after the weaning drench (earlier if a wetter than normal summer), or autumn-drop lambs 4—5 weeks[1] after the weaning drench or if this is November/December, give them a highly effective short-acting first summer drench.

Continue testing each 4—6 weeks until the autumn break.

  • Treat with an effective short-acting drench[2] if the egg count exceeds 100 epg especially if the paddock weaners are staying on is going to be used for weaners or maiden ewes in winter.
  • Delay the drench if all of the following apply (i) the egg count is less than 200 epg, AND (ii) the paddock will not be used for weaners or maiden ewes in winter, AND (iii) the weaners are growing and appear well, AND (iv) weaners will go to a 'Smart grazed' paddock within 4 weeks. Drench at the move.

WormTest no later than 4—6 weeks after the autumn break. However, in high risk conditions (paddocks highly contaminated with worms/higher rainfall areas/wetter season/poorer condition) test as early as 2 weeks after the break[1].

Continue testing at 4—6 week intervals through until the end of winter (shorter interval in higher risk conditions). Treat with an effective short-acting drench[2] if egg count exceeds 200 epg, or a different threshold as agreed with your animal health advisor. Consider a long-acting treatment at the beginning of winter if weaners are going onto un-prepared paddocks highly contaminated with worm larvae and conditions are wetter than normal.

Treat rams with an effective short-acting drench[1] if this coincides with the second summer drench time.

If not, WormTest and treat with an effective short-acting drench[2] if egg count exceeds 100 epg.

If ewes are in poor condition (less than Condition Score 2.5), treat with an effective short-acting drench[1].

If ewes are in good condition (CS 2.7 or better) WormTest. Treat with an effective short-acting drench1 if egg count exceeds 100 epg.

Treat with a highly effective short-acting drench[1] in November/early December. WormTest 6—8 weeks after this first summer drench[2].

NOTE: The first summer drench time can be staggered across mobs if preparing 'Smart grazed' paddocks with these sheep.

WormTest 6—8 weeks after the first summer drench or at the end of January[1]. Treat with a highly effective short-acting drench[2] if egg count exceeds 100 epg.

  • For autumn-lambing ewes WormTest again just prior to lamb marking.
  • For spring-lambing ewes WormTest again in July/August or sooner if ewes are losing condition.

In barber's pole worm areas or higher than normal summer rainfall conditions, also observe for anaemia and lethargy.

NOTE: The second summer drench time can be staggered across mobs if preparing 'Smart grazed' paddocks with these sheep.

If it has been more than 4—6 weeks since the last WormTest or drench, WormTest and treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] if the egg count exceeds 100 epg.

If sheep will graze a low worm-risk paddock being prepared for weaners in winter, treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] before they enter the paddock. They should remain there no longer than 30 days. WormTest again In July/August or sooner if sheep are losing condition[2] and treat with an effective short-acting drench[1] if egg count exceeds 100 epg.

This recommendation should be read with the information provided below.

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:

  1. 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.
  2. Use a combination of 2 or more drench groups.
  3. Rotate drench groups each time a mob is drenched and for each paddock.
  4. Use short-acting treatments.

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

Check effectiveness of long-acting treatments

WormTest with a culture at 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 active to the long-acting treatment.

Seek professional 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 (15 weeks) after the long-acting treatment was given.

Seek professional 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

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.

Using a primer before long-acting treatments

Primer drenches (effective short-acting treatments that do not include the active in the long-acting treatment) should be given concurrently with all long-acting benzimidazole capsules (seek professional advice for use with other treatments).

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

Seek professional advice on the need for an 'exit drench'–an effective short-acting treatment that does not include the active in the mid-length or long-acting treatment. This varies according to drench resistance profiles across properties.

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

2Signs of worms

Scour worm (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. Seek veterinary advice if WormTests do not indicate worms.

3High risk worm conditions

Sheep can sometimes be rapidly re-infected with worms, causing illness and death within 3 weeks of a drench when WECs will still be low or zero. If the onset of scouring, weight loss or deaths is sudden, urgently seek veterinary advice.