Worm control in sheep in Western Australia. Crack down on worms: An information guide for advisers, consultants, livestock personnel and farmers

Authors

Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

Publication Date

8-1992

Series Number

Miscellaneous Publication 26/92

Publisher

Department of Agriculture, Western Australia

City

Perth

ISSN

0725-847X

Abstract

In Western Australia’s winter rainfall areas, the control of gastro-intestinal sheep worms is based on the strategic timing of drenches.

Sheep are drenched at a time that reduces the contamination of pastures with worm eggs and larvae in late summer and autumn. The timing of the drenches is particularly important for the control ofbrown stomach worms (Ostertagia species) and black scour worms (Trichostrongylus species)

Drenches given in late spring, when pasture is starting to dry off, and again in summer, successfully reduce pasture contamination in mid summer and autumn. A faecal egg count will determine the need and timing of the second summer drench. This results in effective worm control and improved sheep production. The best results are achieved when sheep are drenched and put on to fresh stubble paddocks.

The objective is to drench sheep when there is the least number of worm larvae on the paddock. This strategic drenching practice is probably the most effective means of controlling sheep worms in winter rainfall areas. Obviously this strategy only works if an effective drench is used.

The Department of Agriculture started the CRACK down on worms campaign in 1985 to warn farmers about drench resistance through various extension methods including field days, Agricultural Memo articles, press releases, radio talks and Farmnotes.

Number of Pages

22

Keywords

Worms, Sheep, Western Australia, Worm control

Disciplines

Agricultural Science | Biosecurity | Parasitology | Sheep and Goat Science

Comments

Miscellaneous Publication 26/92 replaces Miscellaneous Publication 34/91.

Recommended Citation

Department of Agriculture, Western Australia. (1992), Worm control in sheep in Western Australia. Crack down on worms: An information guide for advisers, consultants, livestock personnel and farmers. Department of Agriculture, Western Australia, Perth. Report Miscellaneous Publication 26/92.
https://library.dpird.wa.gov.au/ap_publishedrpts/34

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