WormBuster: managing barber's pole worms in Queensland sheep

Gastrointestinal worms in particular barber’s pole worm cause severe economic problems in all sheep growing districts of Queensland. This may occur every year in the higher rainfall zones or once every 3 or so years in the low-rainfall pastoral zones. Most rainfall occurs in summer with smaller falls in winter.

Worm burdens in sheep are severe enough to cause serious production losses and deaths.

The increasing resistance of worms to the chemicals used in drenches is a major challenge facing Queensland's sheep industry.

To manage worms effectively, you must: 

• understand the conditions that favour worm infections how they spread
• know some basic facts about worms and the symptoms of infection problem worms
• use laboratory tests to monitor both worm problems and drench efficacy WormBuster testing service
• use drenches effectively using drenches
• make sure all new sheep brought to the property are drenched and quarantined quarantine drenching
• use smart grazing techniques to minimise worm build-up and drench resistance smart grazing
• improve sheep resistance to worms worm immune sheep

Further information:

• The WormBuster laboratory report - the monthly newsletter of the DPI&F WormBuster laboratory.
• Contact the DPI&F Worm Laboratory by email or phone through the DPI&F Business Information Centre

Last updated 26 November 2008