A sensitive new test that can diagnose lice infestations at shearing will be available for wool producers from July, the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) said today.

NSW DPI researchers who developed the laboratory test believe it will be highly economical and give producers confidence not to dip or backline as a precaution.

"The test could be used as part of management strategy to eradicate lice from properties and/or reduce chemical usage and hence residues in wool," NSW DPI’s Paul Young said.

"The test uses washings from the cleaning of shearers’ combs and cutters.

"The washings detect protein from chopped up lice, trapped in grease accumulated on the combs and cutters as lousy sheep are shorn."

The laboratory test is the culmination of many years’ financial investment and co-operative research between NSW DPI, Australian Wool Innovation and CSIRO Livestock Industries.

To be run at NSW DPI’s Elizabeth Macarthur Agricultural Institute (EMAI), Camden, the test is based on ELISA technology.

The EMAI team says the test can pay for itself many times over if producers choose not to dip, or back-line sheep that previously would have been treated "just in case they had lice".

The test uses samples submitted by or on behalf of producers.

"Proper sample collection is absolutely essential and unless done correctly will invalidate the test results," Mr Young, said.

"The kit’s information sheet provides detailed instructions for correct sample collection.

"Because of the sensitivity of the test it stipulates all the combs and cutters must be scrupulously clean before use.

"A ‘one sample’ kit may be used to collect a single sample from the shearing of a mob of up to 250 sheep.

"If a mob contains more than 250 sheep, more than one sample should be collected.

Any number of sample bottles can be provided on request.

"To ensure detection of low-level infestations of lice, all combs and cutters used to shear the mob of interest must be washed using the materials provided."

The EMAI team advises producers not to be tempted to sample only some of the mob.

"Sometimes only a few sheep in a mob may be infested," NSW DPI technical officer, Narelle Sales, said.

"Unless all the comb and cutter washings from the shearing of all of the sheep are included, the samples submitted to the laboratory may not contain any lice protein and the test result would be incorrectly interpreted."

Further reading

From the June 2009 edition of Agriculture Today: Skip the dip

Media contact: Tom Braz 0428 256 596