Manage Barbers Pole with IPM-s and new on-farm test - 19 October 2009

Fewer drenches, more profit and less deaths from Barber’s Pole worms—seems impossible, but it’s now a proven fact that the Integrated Parasite Management-Sheep (IPM-s) program can do just that when compared to the typical worm control approach used in New England.

Dr Lewis Kahn will present the practical ‘how-to’ of the IPM-s program at the Sheep CRC’s Wool Worms and Wrinkles Workshop on Thursday 12th November at the Guyra Bowling Club, 1pm–5 pm. Another key feature will be the Haemonchus Dipstick Test, which will be demonstrated and for sale after a short training session.
The IPM-s program, funded by Australian Wool Innovation and the Sheep CRC is proven to significantly reduce sheep deaths from Barber’s Pole worms through an integrated approach using testing of key mobs, strategies that reduce pasture contamination, a drenching guide and knowledge of drench effectiveness. Preparation of paddocks with low levels of worm contamination for lambing through weaning is particularly important.
“The program is not rocket-science” says Dr Kahn, the program’s key researcher and an industry consultant based in Armidale, “but it follows some important rules about when it is or isn’t okay to contaminate a paddock with worm eggs. It also relies on knowing which drenches are effective and only using these drenches based on worm test results.”

Sheep CRC PhD student, Gareth Kelly, compared results from a typical New England worm management approach with those from the IPM-s program over a number of years and different properties.
Gareth said, “What appears to be extra costs associated with testing for drench resistance and worm egg counts are well and truly repaid on IPM-s properties through reduced cost of drench, tests, fewer deaths and better production. Overall the IPM-s management approach increased gross margin by approximately $9 per ewe through reduced costs and increased production.

Testing for Barber’s Pole worms is set to get much easier with arrival of a new on-farm test. The Haemonchus Dipstick Test, developed by the Sheep CRC, will shortly be available in a limited release from Ancare and Merial.
The test is ideal for use during those warm, wet, high-risk periods when sheep can rapidly take in numerous Haemonchus larvae. It is then that they can quickly become severely anaemic and can even die from immature worms before mob egg counts are very high.

Mark Doherty, Ancare’s Technical Services Manager, will demonstrate the new test and explain how it should be used in managing Barber’s Pole worms. For those who wish to purchase the limited-release kit, a short training session will follow through till 5.30 pm.