Sustainable Internal Parasite Control

Summary

These projects were part of the Producer Research Site (PRS) program and focussed on sheep health and reproduction issues. Projects included a group that studied effective internal parasite practices, comparing internal parastite contamination levels on all members properties and relate to nutrition, stocking rate and management practices.  Other projects focussed on the reproductive performance of their flock and management options by using pregnancy scanning to identity dry ewes, ewes with singles and ewes with twins. The PRS program has since been replaced by the MLA Producer Demonstration Site program.

 Sustainable Internal Parasite ControlProject Overall Aim Compare contamination levels on all members’ properties and relate to nutrition, stocking rate and management practices. Learn how to do own egg counts and compare sampling methods accuracy ie 10 individual samples or 50 samples bulked from mob of 1-2000 sheep.

Establish a sustainable worm control system to minimise risk of resistance, reduce use of chemical worm controls, and increase bodyweight per ha.Reduce faecal egg numbers Establish best time for 1st summer drench.
 
ObjectivesCompare faecal egg numbers collected each month. This will reflect current practices and benefits and comparisons of adopted practices from “experts”.Compare grazing techniques for worm control reflected in drench program with condition score and stocking rates and production measured in kg body weight per ha.

Accurate egg counting learntAssess efficacy and resistance levels of worms on individual properties to drench groups.

Assess the relative merits of the “professional worm control strategies”.