7 important things to know about drenching livestock

Well-fed

adult sheep and cattle can withstand higher worm burdens.

95%

of a worm population live outside the animal. Managing that population is an underutilised tool.

Drench

resistance is a problem in today’s worm control, and evidence shows that long-acting drenches can increase selection for drench resistance.

If you

have to drench stock often, you are probably suffering a major production loss.

The

practices used to minimise drenching are the same practices that will maximise animal production.

Don’t

make drenching decisions “on the hoof”: plan lamb grazing shifts for worm control before weaning, and plan drench treatments, including when, why, what animals, and what product.

Knowing

what worm species you are trying to control may help to develop an appropriate drench programme. Use a FEC 10 days after drenching twice a year to confirm that drenches are working, and do a full drench test every 2-3 years.