Sheep Worm Alert
Producers are urged to check their sheep now for worms as major worm burdens have been detected in Western Australia.
Department of Agriculture and Food parasitologist Brown Besier said many worm egg counts were showing scour worm burdens to be dangerously high, even in mobs drenched within the last month or two.
In addition recent heavy rains on pasture also appear to have compromised sheep nutrition at a much earlier time in summer than expected.
“Sheep, especially weaners that are still growing, are beginning to experience nutritional stress and are more susceptible than usual to many of the routine conditions that can affect sheep at this time of year. The higher than normal contamination level of pastures with worms, given the longer season in 2011, is also exacerbating the problem,” Dr Besier said.
He said there had been some sheep deaths reported. “Many farmers are suspecting barbers pole worm as the cause. However, if there is no previous history of barbers pole worm on a property then it is more likely that extremely large scour worm burdens are the problem.”
Faecal samples for worm egg counts should be submitted to the local veterinarian to check current worm levels. If there is any concern that barbers pole worm could be involved it is important to do a larval culture and differentiation at the same time.
Dr Besier said these results were critical in ruling out other causes of ill-thrift or sheep deaths, and helping plan further worm control for the remainder the of summer and into autumn.
Productivity and growth rates are reduced long before high worm burdens and ill-thrift are apparent. More advice is also available from your local department veterinarian or sheep adviser.
For a regular email summary of current worm issues around WA, farmers can subscribe to the monthly newsletter from the WormBoss website www.wormboss.com.au