Introduction

Where is the NSW central, southern and southwest region?

This region generally has non-seasonal or uniform rainfall (350–850 mm) extending to winter dominant rainfall areas within the eastern Riverina. Some areas tend to summer dominance with respect to rainfall (notably the Monaro). There are three sections within this region:

• The south western area (including the eastern Riverina) with hot summers and cool winters.
• The tablelands area with warm summers and cold frosty winters.
• The eastern Riverina with hot summers and more winter rainfall dominance.

The region extends from an east-west line through Warren in the north to the NSW/Victoria border and west from the coast to a line from Nymagee (west of Nyngan and Tottenham) through to the Victorian border just west of Finlay, and the eastern fall of the Great Dividing Range.

This corresponds with the DrenchPlan region (NSW DPI).

These region boundaries are approximations only as seasonal temperature and rainfall variations affect worms.

A map of the region is shown below.

What worms are covered in this program?

Roundworms

The most important roundworms in this region are:

• Scour worms
  • Black scour worm Trichostrongylus colubriformis /Trichostrongylus vitrinus (the latter increases in the south)
  • Small brown stomach worm Teladorsagia (Ostertagia) circumcincta

In very wet years and in areas with non-seasonal rainfall tending to summer dominance (e.g. the Monaro), especially with more than 700 mm average annual rainfall:

• Barber’s pole worm Haemonchus contortus

Also important but mainly for young goats:

• Thin-necked intestinal worm Nematodirus species

Barber’s pole worm

In this region, barber’s pole worm is generally sporadic and of short duration, therefore the annual requirement for the vaccine that protects against barber’s pole worm is less certain compared to 4–6 weekly monitoring of worm egg counts during high-risk periods and treatment with a short-acting or narrow spectrum drench (seek veterinary advice before using unregistered products).

However, if your farm has periods of high barber’s pole worm risk for several months each year (which may occur in coastal areas or on irrigated pastures) seek veterinary advice as to whether the vaccine program against barber’s pole worm should be considered.

Liver fluke

Liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) is an internal parasite that occurs throughout this region where there are colonies of the intermediate host snail Austropeplea (Lymnaea) tomentosa. It can affect goats severely, sometimes causing deaths. The life cycle differs from the simple life cycle of roundworms, so control strategies are different.  Liver fluke should be considered if there are cases of anaemia or bottle jaw in goats that are not associated with barber’s pole worm.

This program relates to roundworms. To control liver fluke, see Liver fluke control.

Other worms

Gastro-intestinal parasites of minor importance, such as stomach fluke and tapeworm, are not covered.