This season is shaping up to be a season of high worm burden. It is important that you are recommending the most appropriate drench to your sheep producers.

This is the advice from Elanco senior brand manager – sheep, Dr Kathryn Humphries, who says resellers can be confident when recommending Zolvix Plus for use as a weaning and summer drench.

“I have read that this season is described as a ‘parasite party’. As we know, lambs, weaners and ewes need the best protection available against worms for optimal health and performance. This is of utmost importance this year,” she said.

“Weaners are particularly susceptible to disease and parasites. Lambs reared in moderate to high rainfall regions should always be drenched at weaning and then again at the first summer drench.

“For those born later in the season, the weaning drench may coincide with the first summer drench, which is the cornerstone of strategic worm control in south-eastern Australia.

“The first summer drench helps to minimise pasture contamination, the carry-over of worm populations over summer and create ‘low risk’ pastures for the next lambing.”

Dr Humphries said effective worm control in ewes during this time can also optimise post-weaning recovery.

“In south-eastern Australia, the first summer drench is typically administered between mid-October and December.

“In Western Australia, young stock typically receive a summer drench, while ewes are drenched in autumn (often described as ‘summer-autumn’ drenching).”

Dr Humphries said it is important to use a drench that is known to be fully effective.

“There is widespread single, double and triple resistance to all older active ingredients, including moxidectin. Any reduction in drench efficacy has a direct impact on the health and productivity of your sheep throughout the year.

“Even mild or moderate levels of drench resistance can reduce potential income by 2–10% as shown by the report: ‘Drench resistance – a large economic cost’ (Journal of Agriculture, Western Australia).”

Based on a conservative gross margin of $150/ewe (excluding feed costs), NSW DPI’s livestock budgets estimate that a 15% reduction in drench efficacy costs more than $3/ewe in lost production, while a 35% reduction in drench efficacy costs more than $15/ewe in lost production.

“Viewed another way, the hidden cost of reduced drench efficacy is often more than the total cost of the annual drenching program – and that’s before labour is considered,” Dr Humphries said.

“Paying a few cents per head more for a drench that is known to be ‘fully effective’ is a sound investment to safeguard the productivity and profitability of your flock, especially this year with potentially high parasite burdens.”

Zolvix Plus is a unique combination drench that contains monepantel, the only member of the amino-acetonitrile derivative or ‘orange’ class of anthelmintics, and abamectin.

As short-acting, broad spectrum drenches with different modes of action, Dr Humphries said monepantel and abamectin are ideal combination partners.

“Monepantel’s unique mode of action provides >99.9% efficacy against a broad spectrum of internal parasites, including single, double, and triple resistant strains, which means it is ideal for use if the resistance status is unknown.

“If your customer isn’t sure if the drench they are planning to use is effective or the status of drench resistance on their property, then please encourage them to take the Zolvix Plus Challenge and conduct a free DrenchCheck valued at more than $230,” Dr Humphries said. (Visit www.zolvixplusrewards for details).

“A simple drench check 10–14 days post treatment can provide important insights into which drench is or isn’t working for a property. This helps to make informed decisions on drench selection recommendations.

“Zolvix Plus has a 21-day ESI, which is the lowest of any combination drench containing abamectin. This means you can recommend Zolvix Plus to your customers as a drench that provides premium worm protection without impacting on their management or marketing options.”

Studies have shown Zolvix Plus controls all economically-important roundworm species, including AAD-sensitive immature (L4) stages of Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta in sheep where a combination of a macrocyclic lactone and derquantel is less effective.

Dr Humphries said it was important to remind your producers to always read and follow label directions.

Resistance may develop to any chemical. Ask your local veterinary practitioner or animal health advisor for recommended parasite management practices for your area to reduce development of resistance. It is advisable that a resistance test be conducted before any parasite treatment is used. Use in accordance with the registered label directions and regional drench decision guidelines (www.wormboss.com.au).