To drench or not to drench?

Are the words “drench herd” on your calendar at this time of year? If so, it’s time to step back and consider a few issues.

Worm burdens will vary between different classes of livestock, so it’s worth establishing what really needs drenching.

In doing so, you may save yourself time and money and reduce the chance of drench resistance establishing in your herd.

Worm testing by worm faecal egg counts (FEC) is a way to monitor for the presence of worms and thus the requirement for treatment.

It is a useful diagnostic aid in all types of livestock.

FEC is the process of determining the number of eggs in faeces and is a fast, effective and relatively inexpensive test.

The test involves the collection of faeces either directly from rectum of the animal, or by mustering a number of animals into a clean corner of a paddock for about ten minutes and then collecting fresh faecal samples from the ground.

Different mobs may have different FECs so it’s worth having a number of mobs tested.

This particularly applies to weaners and maiden animals, which have a naturally lower worm resistance and will probably need drenching where the rest of your herd may not.

If and when you do drench be sure to give the correct dose and use an effective drench.

FECs can also provide information of how effective treatment has been, thus providing information about possible drench resistance.

Market report for 17th and 18th January, 2018 Wednesday Fat Sale 474 head. Thursday Bull and Cow Sale, 72 bulls, 304 cows.

A larger yarding of vealers on Wednesday sold to improved demand, with the top sale up 12 cents at 330. Several pens enjoyed this rise, although some lighter secondary pens held the average back several cents. Bullock numbers were up and heavier weights were recorded, with demand slightly easier. Extra heifers were also on hand with demand easier on last week. The steer section eased also on the back of demand but helped along with the secondary pens struggling. This week the yard average was 3 cents up at 274.

16 bullocks topped at 264, up 8 and averaged 243.9, back 2.

24 heifers topped at 263.6, back 21 and averaged 241, back 10. 9.36 steers topped at 278.6, back 2 and averaged 238, back 377 veal topped at 330, up 12 and averaged 285,4, up 6. On Thursday bull numbers increased again with 72 on offer this week. The bull sale was regarded as firm to easier amongst the pens. This week’s top was 253.6, with the bull average back slightly to 214.4. Also penned were 22 bullocks which made to 229.2, with an average of 209.5. There were 304 cows penned up with the top sale making 223.6 and the cow average was 6 cents easier at 176.5.

1 LimX 1 CharX 1 Lim 1 LimX 2 LimX 4 LimX Bullocks 1 CharX G bastin, Erica 6 Ang E Davis, Erica Steers 6 Lim Heifers 1 Ang D&S Russel, Buln Buln 6 Char B Webb, Trafalgar 4 Lim J&N Webb, Gainsborough Export Cows and Heifers 1 Ang J Dunne, Hazelwood 1 Ang S Bently, Garfield 1 S/H D Benson, Buln Buln 1 Ang C&N Guy, Buln Buln 2 Ang J&A Fahey, Thorpdale 1 Ang R Royance, Longwarry Dairy Cows 1 FrnX N&L Gregg, Poowong 2 Frn Goode Family Trust, P/W 1 Frn R&S Summerfield B/Vista 1 Frn D Cawcutt, Darnum 2 Frn G&L Williams, Athlone 1 JsyX Kina Dairies, Poowong Bullocks 1 B/B 1 Ang Bulls 1 Sim 1 Char 1 AngX 1 M/G 1 Lim 1 Bran

J&P Oleary, Ferndale G&L Jones, Warragul Sth J&N Webb, Gainsborough Cifuentis & Eade, Darnum Eau-de-cale Nom, G/F J Vicary, Drouin J&N Webb, Gainsborough N&L Gregg, Poowong K Gourley, Neerim Sth

P&R Marx, Trafalgar Sth B&P Kersten, Yarragon R&V Munns, Traralgon Glenroy, Longwarry Nth J Dunne, Hazelwood J Karanja, Longwarry

3. Landmark, 4. Scotts, 5. Elders.

385 305 425 370 413 372

620 638

500

485 500 476

625 720 670 705 767 770

470 720 655 720 660 655

560 810

330.0 1270 330.0 1006 329.6 1400 325.0 1202 320.0 1321 320.0 1190

260.0 1612 258.0 1644

268.6 1343

263.6 1278 256.6 1283 235.0 1214

223.6 1397 214.2 1542 214.2 1435 214.2 1510 208.2 1597 208.2 1603

217.1 1020 207.6 1494 207.6 1359 206.6 1487 206.6 1363 205.2 1344

226.6 1268 220.2 1783

870 253.6 2206 780 250.0 1950 760 246.6 1874 835 246.2 2055 735 244.6 1797 775 244.2 1892 1. Gibbon, 2. SEJ,