Barber’s Pole Warning for the South East

Vets in the South East Livestock Health and Pest Authority are urging sheep and goat producers to implement drenching strategies to prevent infestations of Barber’s Pole worm.

Worm testing of flocks across the tablelands and coast has uncovered a rapid increase in egg counts. There have also been a number of producers reporting deaths attributable to this parasite and for which small ruminants develop little resistance.

Ian Lugton, South East LHPA senior district vet, says conditions have been ideal for warm-season worms to proliferate over the early summer despite drought conditions having suppressed worm burdens for some time.

"We have recently experienced excellent rainfall across the district which has allowed many eggs to hatch and worm larvae on pastures to survive," he said.

"In a normal season we’d expect Barber’s Pole to be at its peak during the autumn. But we’re expecting the peak to be much earlier this year."

"With a wet forecast ahead, Barber’s Pole is shaping up to be a major disease issue for all sheep and goat producers."

Dr Lugton said action is required now to prevent deaths and reduced flock productivity.

"Either administer a sustained action drench now or check burdens with faecal egg counting or the Haemonchus Dipstick dung test to see if Barber’s Pole worms are present."

"If safe paddocks are available, run the stock there when the sustained action period is about to run out and follow up with further testing to ensure that the drenching has been effective or to see if the worms are gaining the upper hand again."

Dr Lugton reminded producers to use good drenching practices and dose to the heaviest animal in the mob. As there are a plethora of sheep drenches out there, producers should also consider which drench will be most effective for their individual situation.

For more advice contact your local office of the South East LHPA.

Media contact: Kylie Dunn 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378