Barber's Pole Worm is a major cause of deaths and production loss in sheep in summer rainfall areas of Australia. In other areas it can cause occasional problems, typically when higher than normal summer rainfall occurs. The Sheep CRC has developed a fast, simple and inexpensive on-farm test to assist sheep producers to identify when their sheep are at risk from Barber's Pole Worm.
The Haemonchus dipstick test can be purchased through your local rural merchandise retailer.
For technical information contact Ancare Technical Services on 1800 001 973 or Merial Technical Customer Solutions on 1800 808 691 or click here to visit their website. (This information has been provided by Ancare Australia Pty Ltd and Merial Limited).
The Haemonchus Dipstick Test is an on-farm decision support tool to help decide when to drench for Barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus contortus). The test detects blood in sheep faeces to identify whether Barber's Pole Worm is present, and to help determine the level of infection and damage being caused. It is conducted on dung samples pooled from ten to twenty fresh dung pats. Following dilution and a boiling step, the sample is tested with a reagent strip. The amount of colour change that occurs is read on a scale calibrated to indicate whether treatment against Barber's Pole Worm is warranted. It should be used regularly (weekly) in high risk periods, but may be used less frequently (fortnightly or monthly) when conditions are less favourable for Barber's Pole Worm infestation.
(Note: Other roundworms of sheep do not suck blood; therefore the Haemonchus Dipstick Test can not detect the presence of these other worms.)
Benefits:
Recommended users: Ram breeders, commercial producers, lamb finishers, advisors & consultants, teachers & educators
Choose from the tabs below to find more detailed information.
This Conference combined world class science with its practical application.
This Conference combined world class science with its practical application.
