Thursday, 03 December 2020 09:55

Worm resistance genetics

Written by  Staff Reporters
WormFEC Gold chair Allan Richardson WormFEC Gold chair Allan Richardson

Sheep farmers should be investing in proven, worm resistant genetics this breeding season to future proof their businesses’ bottom lines.

That’s the claim of new WormFEC Gold chair Allan Richardson. WormFEC is a group of 15 breeders – with 18 flocks – representing all the main sheep breeds and based throughout NZ. 

“The majority of farmers still continue to put all their trust in a drenching strategy to combat internal parasites,” the West Otago sheep farmer says.  “Clearly that is failing at alarming rates with increasing resistance found in combination drenches (43%) and triple drenches (15%) in the latest NZ study completed by a Dunedin company Techion”.

Richardson says the rate of drench resistance increase has been dramatic, with some drench families recording over a 100% increase in resistance compared to four years ago.

“The Beef + Lamb NZ Genetics low input trial has clearly shown that WormFEC Gold rams with high performance and resistance levels still performed under high worm challenges,” he claims.  “This is a big saving in time, labour and expenses.”

“We are keen to work with farmers and vets to improve on farm knowledge and get the best medium to long term solutions for internal parasite management,” Richardson adds.

His take home message to farmers is to use this time wisely, get resistant genes into your flock.

“It will future-proof your farm, cut costs and reduce your long-term reliance on regular drenching,” Richardson says.

More like this

Featured

Dairy sheep and goat turmoil

Dairy sheep and goat farmers are being told to reduce milk supply as processors face a slump in global demand for their products.

Hurry up and slow down!

OPINION: We have good friends from way back who had lived in one of our major cities for many years.

Editorial: Passage to India

OPINION: Even before the National-led coalition came into power, India was very much at the fore of its trade agenda.

National

Knowing bugs means fewer drugs

A mastitis management company claims to deliver the fastest and most accurate mastitis testing available at scale for New Zealand…

Machinery & Products

100 years of Farmall Tractors

Returning after an enforced break, the Wheat and Wheels Rally will take place on the Lauriston -Barhill Road, North-East of…

JD unveils its latest beast

John Deere has unveiled its most powerful tractor ever, with the launch of the all new 9RX Series Tractor line-up…

Biggest Quadtrac coming to NZ!

In the biggest announcement that Case IH Australia/New Zealand has made around its tractor range, its biggest tractor is about…

A different shade of blue for Norwood

Norwood and ARGO Tractors, the Italian manufacturer of Landini and McCormick tractors, have announced an agreement that gives Norwood exclusive…

Kubota tests diesel engines

Kubota last month used the UK LAMMA Show to test the water with its new 200hp, four-cylinder 09-series diesel engines.

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Why?

OPINION: A mate of yours truly wants to know why the beef schedule differential is now more than 45-50 cents…

Fat to cut

OPINION: Your canine crusader understands that MPI were recently in front of the Parliamentary Primary Sector Select Committee for an…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter