Late summer and early autumn are typically wormy periods, with a build-up of larvae on pasture from lambs over summer, confounded by autumn rain. A warm wet summer makes larval survival and infection rates even greater.

Wormwise has guidance to help manage worms both effectively, sustainably and minimise drench resistance issues. Decreasing the number of infective larvae at-risk stock may ingest, and minimising contamination of eggs onto pasture is key. If lambs have less exposure to larvae, they grow faster, and need less drench.

Ideally, incorporate tactics such as integrated grazing with different species, use of adult stock who are less at risk alongside young stock, avoiding lamb fattening only areas, and grazing higher pasture or crops above 5 cm to reduce exposure.

Monitoring fecal egg counts is easy and provides a guide on worm numbers and whether lambs require a drench or not.

When larval challenge, especially barber’s pole worm (BPW), is high and egg counts are climbing, this is when a product that offers longer protection to lambs is beneficial.

Cydectin® Oral Drench for Sheep has 35 days of persistent activity against susceptible BPW and 21 days against Teladorsagia circumcincta killing larvae after they are ingested. This allows lambs to grow optimally despite the worm challenge.

Containing a single active, Cydectin Oral for Sheep is more at risk of selecting resistant worms than a combination drench. For this reason, use as a tactical treatment to hit worms when they are in high numbers, protecting lambs and underweight young ewes when they need it.

New Zealand trial work has shown that lambs treated with Cydectin Oral for Sheep versus those given a short-acting drench, grew 60 to 87 g a day faster.¹ This makes it an effective tool to grow lambs fast, get them sold, and decrease contamination on farm.

For advice on managing worms in your lambs, contact your local PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative.

SUPPLIED BY ZOETIS

1 Murphy, A. (1994). A comparison of production responses in lambs drenched with moxidectin or ivermectin. New Zealand Journal of Agricultural Research, 38, 221-224.

Registered pursuant to the ACVM Act 1997, Cydectin® Oral #A6204. Always read the registered label before use.