Guess Who’s Back
Sheep
Worm Egg Counts have, broadly speaking, been reasonably low. I think there has been very little larval pick up since October due to the hot, dry weather in most parts. When a worm egg hits the ground, it needs moisture and protection from UV light in order to undergo maturation to the infectious L3 larvae. If it’s hot and dry they desiccate on the ground.
For this reason, if your sheep did need a drench (based of a WEC, not a guess), it is a good time to add Startect into your rotation. The reason we say this is because Startect is a product made up of derquantal and abamectin. Derquantal does not do a great job of killing L3s, that’s why it’s combined with abamectin to make the product, except the majority of farms have widespread abamectin resistance. So if you’re using Startect at a warm wet time of the year when there is lots of larval pick up, you might not get a great result. Whereas right now, the larval pick up is reduced, so Startect is better suited. Startect is considerably more expensive than some other drenches but it’s a timely rotation away from white, clear and mectin options.
Blowfly activity is thankfully reduced due to the dry weather and heat. In terms of chemical prevention: if you don’t need it, don’t use it. Your resistance profile will thank you!
Hypocalcaemia strikes again up in the northwest around Burren Junction and Walgett. Why? Who knows. When? Anytime sheep are mustered or moved. What do we do? Supplement with lime and salt. All stock, all year round. Remember, we sell it premixed in bags for $18.60/25kg.
Joining ewes need to be on a rising plane of nutrition (maintenance plus 20%) and unless you’ve got green pick, the pasture isn’t that at the moment so a nutritional flush using grain is likely to be necessary. If you need us to do the sums, get in contacct.
Scanning is the next job. Book the scanner, and condition score the ewes when you yard them.
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