Thursday, 17 February 2022 14:55

A whole-farm approach to internal parasite management advised

Written by  Staff Reporters
Managing internal parasites is not as simple as just drenching lambs every 28 to 30 days. Managing internal parasites is not as simple as just drenching lambs every 28 to 30 days.

Drenching routines are well underway for many lamb finishers.

However, it is important to know the efficacy of the drenches used and to take a whole farm management approach to internal parasite management.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand’s senior advisor animal welfare and biosecurity Will Halliday says a ‘Drench Check’ (Faecal Egg Counts (FECs) carried out 7- 12 days after drenching) will give an indication of the efficacy of the drench they’ve used and/or their drenching technique.

If there are still eggs present, and problems with drenching technique such as a faulty gun can be eliminated, then a FEC Reduction Test will be required to determine what drench families are still effective on their property.

Halliday says a lot of farmers still don’t know the drench status of their farms.

He adds that using ineffective drenches are not only a waste of money, but they are also not good for the longterm sustainability of the farm.

“Managing internal parasites is not as simple as just drenching lambs every 28 to 30 days, you need to look at the whole farm management.”

These tools include using breeding, refugia, regular monitoring and the use of forage crops as part of a total management package.

He says that every farm and situation is different and variables such as the mix of livestock classes, irrigation, grazing management and seasonal variations will all influence the shape of an internal parasite management programme.

Get Worm Wise

Wormwise is the national worm management strategy – which aims to help farmers and their advisors to manage worms sustainably.

It brings together industry experts to manage and integrate research work, education, communication and extension services for the benefit of farmers, veterinarians, key influencers and retailers.

For more information go to: www.wormwise.co.nz

More like this

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand dairy farmers.

'Gold Standard' live export plan

Live Export NZ (LENZ), the industry group behind reinstating live exports, says that in 2020 New Zealand exported $255.89 million of live cattle to the rest of the world.

Clear breeding goals

Over the last 13 years, Southland dairy farmers Caleb and Paula Hamill have worked hard to realise their dream of farm ownership.

Featured

Sheep drench resistance costly

Analysis by Dunedin-based Techion New Zealand shows the cost of undetected drench resistance in sheep has exploded to an estimated $98 million a year.

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

AGTEK and ARGO part ways

After 12 years of representing the Landini and McCormick brands in New Zealand, Bay of Plenty-based AGTEK and the brands’…

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter