Autumn - a good time to test for drench resistance

MEDIA RELEASE

DATE: 23 March 2007

Autumn - a good time to test for drench resistance

Widespread drench resistance on sheep and beef farms remains a concern and farmers are being urged to carry out testing now. The problem with drench resistance was highlighted through a national survey and as a result, the national worm management strategy, Wormwise was developed.

Meat & Wool New Zealand Animal Health Programme Manager, Jessie Chan, said autumn is a good time to do a drench resistant test because most of the worm species that the animals carry are likely to be present in sufficient numbers to measure.

“And because of this, it’s the time of year that drenches face the greatest challenge and so it’s an ideal time to find how well the drench is working.”

Waipukurau farmer, Dean McRobbie says he tests for drench resistance every two years – something he considers vital to his farming sustainability.

“You’re better off knowing you have a slight resistance problem and deal with it - because if you don’t and you keep using the same drench - you’ll being going backwards and in 10 years you’ll be in enormous trouble.

“You could be losing production due to ineffective drenching and not even know it.”

Dean McRobbie said farmers needed to do their own testing because this is the only way of establishing the efficiency of drenches on their farms.

“It’s a very localised thing and you won’t necessarily have the same issues as your neighbour.

“Farmers should look at doing it before May because in addition to there being lots of worms around, a lamb’s natural immunity will kick in after that and it could be difficult to determine if the drench is working – or it’s the animal’s immunity.”

Jessie Chan says a drench test involves the collection of faecal samples prior to and about 10 days after treatment.

“Your vet can explain the process and advise you on the best timing.”

Recently published surveys have highlighted that drench resistance is a big issue on New Zealand farms. Of the sheep farms surveyed 64 percent showed some degree of drench resistance. On beef farms, 94 percent of farms surveyed reported resistance to at least one drench family.

Meat & Wool New Zealand’s Economic Service estimate that the spend on animal health on New Zealand farms is $3.50 per stock unit. A significant proportion of this is spent directly on drenches.

“A significant amount of money is invested in internal parasite control by New Zealand farmers, so it makes sense to test for drench effectiveness,” Jessie Chan said.

A copy of the full survey results on prevalence of drench resistance can be found at: www.wormwise.co.nz

Farmers interested in receiving regular updates about Wormwise should ensure they are registered to receive the updates by emailing wormwise@meatandwoolnz.com

For further information please contact: Meat & Wool New Zealand Communications Advisor, Jan Keir-Smith DDI 04 474 0848 or Mobile 0275 915 107.

Background:

Wormwise is aimed at helping farmers and their advisors to manage worms, not just today, but sustainably for the future. Wormwise was developed by the industry and represents an agreement to work together to assist farmers. Meat & Wool New Zealand, MAF Sustainable Farming Fund, New Zealand Veterinary Association, ARRPA and Agcarm are overseeing implementation of the strategy.

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