Worm Advice - what to take notice of

Most of the old messages still apply, such as the importance of using the correct dose. Underdosing not only risks a poor result, but invites the survival of drench-resistant worms reports Country-wide. Accurate drench guns and knowing the weight of the animals being drenched is vital for the best outcome. Alongside using the correct dose is correct administration. Delivering an oral drench to the back of the mouth is still important, as is ensuring the drench is adequately mixed. A more recent important message that applies to all farms is the value of using a combination drench. Gone are the days of annual drench rotations, replaced by just using an effective combination drench. The potential to bring drench-resistant worms on to the farm with animals bought in is much more real now than it was several years ago when drench-resistant worms were not so common. So that old message is more important than ever - use quarantine treatment for incoming stock. This is particularly so for finishers who bring on most of the stock. In a short time it is possible to introduce enough drench-resistant worms that the drench options in use are limited. A message that gradually has been gaining momentum over recent years is to limit ewe drenching. From a sustainability point of view it is not smart to drench ewes, but this must be balanced against threats to productivity. In some situations worm burdens in ewes can significantly reduce the productivity of ewes. This is particularly so for underfed ewes and young ewes. When, or if, ewes need to be drenched, the sustainability risk can be minimised by not drenching whole mobs. Leaving some not drenched should be part of ewe drenching. The level of risk from drenching ewes lifts hugely if a persistent-acting drench is used. The need for leaving some not drenched is even greater if persistent-acting products are used.