Season ideal for spike in barber’s pole worm

Livestock Health staff from the South East Livestock Health and Pest Authority are encouraging sheep and goat producers to put into practice drenching strategies to help prevent infestations of barber’s pole worm this worm season.

Worm testing of local flocks across the tablelands and coast has shown rapid increases in egg counts. There have also been a number of producers reporting deaths from the parasite and for which small ruminants develop little resistance.

South East LHPA district veterinarian, Ian Lugton, says conditions have been ideal for warm-season worms to proliferate over the early summer.

"The rainfall we have recently experienced across the district 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, like last year, we’re expecting the peak to be much earlier in 2012.

"Given current seasonal conditions and the forecast, barber’s pole is shaping up to be a major disease issue for all sheep and goat producers."

Dr Lugton recommended producers take action now to prevent deaths and reduced flock productivity.

"Administer a sustained action drench now or check burdens with faecal egg counting or the Haemonchus Dipstick dung test to see if barber’s ole 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 drenching has been effective or to see if the worms are gaining in numbers again."

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

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

Media contact: Kylie Neville 6391 3720 / 0428 465 378