Sheep worm control: summer vs winter drenching in southern NSW

DrenchPlan, the recommended sheep worm control program for central and southern NSW, was first launched in 1985 as a joint venture of CSIRO, NSW Agriculture (now NSW DPI) and Rural Lands Protection Boards (RLPBs), with support also from the private sector. It has undergone various refinements since then and recent versions (from the late 1990s) have increasingly emphasised integrated parasite management (IPM). Among other things, DrenchPlan recommends that the second summer drench should not be automatic. Instead, drenching at this time is only done if worm egg counts (WEC, WormTesting) indicate it is needed. This avoids unnecessary drenching and selection for resistance. The first summer drench, as well as the second, should only be given if a WEC indicates it is necessary, particularly in adult sheep.

This Primefact provides information on the following:

• The aims, advantages and disadvantages of strategic drenching
• 'Best bet' options for drenching
• A comparison between summer drenching in southern NSW and in WA
• The use of drench combinations
• Other things to consider in the field of sheep worm control