Do you know what your current livestock worm burden numbers are?

With above average rainfall received during winter and early spring across the Riverina and south west slopes of NSW the conditions for higher worm burden in our pastures and the potential for internal parasite infection is looking as good as ever. So, don’t guess, worm test.

To help livestock producers keep on top of internal parasite control, DenchPlan was developed by DPI NSW as the recommended sheep worm management program for Central and Southern NSW.

DrenchPlan is about getting the basics control measures right first and comprises seven key points:

1. Right Drench, Right Time
   • Right Drench - If you have not tested you drench effectiveness you are guessing. What are your testing options:
     • Regular DrenchChecks (good), simply involves doing a worm test (faecal egg count) 7 – 14 days after a drench.
     • DrenchTest every 2-3 years + regular DrenchChecks (best), involves using a ‘faecal egg count reduction test’  on different drenches on groups of 10-15 animals in a mob.
   • Right Time – The two most important drench times in DrenchPlan is:
     • the ‘first summer drench’, is given when pastures are haying off between October and November, and
     • the ‘Weaning drench’ is given to lambs at weaning which may or may not coincide with first summer drench.
2. Don’t import resistance: use a quarantine drench for new livestock entering property
3. Don’t Guess, Worm Test: conduct a WormTest (Faecal Egg Count) before drenching
4. Feed ‘em or don’t breed them: Nutrition plays important part of animal immunity, particularly for weaners and lambing ewes.
5. Grazing Management: using ‘low risk’ paddocks for most vulnerable livestock
6. Drench Rotation: don’t continue to use the same drench family (i.e. mectins)
7. Use IPM: integrated Pest management is based on drenching plus non chemical control options; nutrition, grazing management, worm testing and using worm-resistant rams.

The full DrenchPlan recommendations is available here:

• http://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0004/38551/drenchplan-2005.pdf

Worm testing using Faecal Egg Count (FEC) and Faecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT) is available here:

• https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/services/laboratory-services/kits-and-media/order-media

Worm Test for livestock and guide to egg counts information is available here:

• https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0016/110077/wormtest-for-livestock-and-guide-to-egg-counts.pdf

Pricing information for worm testing kits is available here:

• https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/about-us/services/laboratory-services/veterinary/veterinary-test-list

D.I.Y Worm Egg Counting information is available here:

• https://www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0006/749292/DIY-worm-egg-counts-livestock-incl-poultry.pdf