Restocking Queensland producers have been warned about introducing drench-resistant worms.

RESTOCKING Queensland sheep producers have been urged to implement good quarantine and drenching measures to avoid introducing and developing drench-resistant intestinal worms in their flocks.

Leading Sheep southern regional co-ordinator Noel O’Dempsey said several worm issues were highlighted at a meeting of the National ParaBoss Technical Committee recently.

“Many people will be restocking and often the purchased sheep will be bringing worms with them,” he said.

“These worms will be resistant to a range of drenches.

“Without good quarantine, you may buy yourself a lot of future problems and expense,” Dr O’Dempsey said.

He said details of good quarantine practice are available at www.wormboss.com.au 

Dr O’Demspey said the committee also discussed how to avoid further drench resistance.

“The latest modelling suggests that the best way to slow resistance developing, is to reduce drench use and to use combination drenches with as many actives as possible.

“Drench rotation surprisingly was not very effective.”

Dr O’Dempsey said the importance of actually knowing what drenches are effective on your property was highlighted.

“Drench resistance testing for every property is important.

“Assumptions from historical district averages and results your neighbour may have achieved are prone to error.”

Dr O’Dempsey said WormBoss is also developing resources specifically for goats throughout Australia similar to the existing extremely useful regional WormBoss Worm Control Programs for sheep. This material will be available by the end of October.

LBN’S Top 5 biosecurity tips for sheep producers

On-farm biosecurity is a set of measures designed to protect a property from the entry and spread of pests, weeds and diseases. It can be any activity, procedure or measure that you take to reduce the likelihood of the introduction and spread of livestock diseases, pests or weeds. These top 5 biosecurity tips for sheep producers have been developed by the Livestock Biosecurity Network:

1 – Have a plan!

2 – Keep records

3 – Come clean, stay clean, go clean

4 – Know the risks

5 – Look, check, ask a vet.

To read a fact sheet with more detailed information about these biosecurity tips, click here.

Source: Leading Sheep.