Worm Heat Map – September Edition

August closes winter with worm challenge remaining low across the two northern NSW zones. The eastern zone averaged 177 epg and the western zone averaged 199 epg. Most submissions in both zones were below 250 epg.

As conditions warm, do not rely on the regional average alone. Worm test before routine management opportunities and at regular intervals through the upcoming barbers pole worm season.

In the eastern zone, the average WEC fell by 102 epg from July to 192 epg in August, based on 110 samples. While the regional average is now green, 13 samples were above 500 epg, including two above 1000 epg, showing that some mobs remain under substantial challenge.

The western zone increased by 67 epg to an average of 151 epg. The NSW high-rainfall zone fell by 662 epg to 525 epg, and remains in the orange category. Regular monitoring is recommended from March to October at 4-6 weeks after significant rain with follow-up rain, and before management events.

The eastern zone decreased by 74 epg from July to an average of 197 epg in August. Even with the lower average, three samples were above 750 epg. The western zone averaged 207 epg.

The spread of results reinforces the need to monitor individual mobs.

South-west Victoria increased by 133 epg from July to an average of 241 epg in August, based on 38 samples. Eight submissions were above 500 epg, including one above 1000 epg, indicating that the regional yellow average masks higher-challenge mobs. This is the highst level of worm challenge we have seen in the region for some time.

The north-east decreased by 91 epg to an average of 117 epg. North-central Victoria increased sharply to an average above 1000 epg, compared with 107 epg in July. Most north-central submissions remained below 250 epg, so the very high average should be interpreted cautiously and mobs should be assessed on their own WormTest results.

August is a key time to test higher-risk mobs, especially the youngest sheep, and where sheep have low condition score or limited pasture.

In the south-east, the average August WEC of 348 epg remained at similar elevated levels of July and remains shown as yellow. Eighteen samples were above 500 epg and five were above 1000 epg, so local mob risk remains variable.

Regularly monitoring of lambs, weaners and ewes in the south-east, including lambs at 4-week intervals from 12 weeks to turnoff will help manage the risk from worms.

The southern region averaged 162 epg from a small number of samples.  In the central region, the average increased by 249 epg to 509 epg. Nine central-region submissions were above 500 epg, including four above 1000 epg, indicating a marked split between low and high results.