The ParaBoss WEC QA Program is run for WEC service providers to demonstrate their ability to provide an accurate worm egg counting service, and for livestock producers to then find these ParaBoss-endorsed WEC service providers.
If unsuccessful, you will be provided with suggestions on what may have gone wrong and where to seek additional training or assistance.
WEC QA fees
Cost per person undertaking worm egg counts |
$20 |
Cost for 1 set of samples, packaging and posting: |
$300 WA*, $350 other states |
Cost for each additional set of samples |
$30 |
* WA businesses have lower freight and packaging costs as samples are prepared in WA. |
Example 1:
Business with 2 operators in NSW
First set of samples: $350
2 operators: 2 x $20 = $40
Total = $390
Example 2:
Business with 6 operators:
First set of samples: $300
Extra set of samples: $30
6 operators: 6 x $20 = $120
Total = $450
The number of sets depends on how many people you can gather to count at the same time.
Once a sample is mixed with salt solution it must be counted immediately (within about 45 minutes).
You must consider the logistics of having all of your staff present at the same time and not interrupted by other duties.
One set can be used by 5 people IF THEY ARE ALL AVAILABLE at the same time.
This may not be possible at your location.
Obviously, where there is only one person doing WECS, it will be just that one person.
But in businesses where a number of staff conduct WECs for customers and clients, then every person in that business who does worm egg counting should participate.
The program accredits a business, so it is no point only your "best" operators participating, but then letting your "other staff" provide WEC services to customers/clients.
Each operator attracts only a $20 fee.
Each of the 13 samples provided will be mixed (one at a time) by a single participant in the team. Ensure you all agree how it should be done.
From the mixed solution for each sample, up to 5 people can each take an aliquot from it and do their own count. This should be repeated by all operators for all 13 samples.
Each operator must start at the aliquotting stage and prepare their own slide for each sample.
This is time consuming and where there are more than 3 staff, the logistics need to be carefully managed so all operators complete counts for one sample within about 45 minutes. This can be harder than you think, especially if staff are being interrupted (such as in an on-call vet clinic).
It is not acceptable to prepare one slide for each sample and then a number of people count that single slide —it is obvious when this has been done.
As close as possible to your own process!
While the principles of conducting a worm egg count are the same across laboratories, there are many slight differences from laboratory to laboratory and between operators at the same laboratory, from the equipment that is used, to how you stir a sample.
These differences, if not carefully managed, can result in counts that are not accurate or precise, and this is what we test in the program.
You will likely need to modify your process a little just at the initial stage to accommodate our samples, but thereafter you should follow your normal process.
We provide uniform sets of 13 samples to 50 laboratories. To greatly reduce variation we cannot use field samples that have the worm eggs throughout the faeces.
Each sample is in a small plastic container and contains 2 grams of worm-free faeces, onto which we have pipetted 3 ml of one of the varied concentration egg solutions.
This means that you must use the entire sample provided, not a subsample.
During transit, the egg solution will have run around inside the container and eggs could be on the container sides and inside the lid, not in the faeces.
Therefore, your first step will be to recover all the eggs from the container and combine them with all of the faeces.
From here you can transfer/wash the solution into your own container and then complete the dilution and mixing process, then continue with your normal steps.
Once a business registers there will be resources to allow you to review your own processes, and which explain everything that is involved.
Action |
Date |
Registration and payment open |
1 September |
Registration and payment closes |
22 September |
Dispatch of samples from Albany WA |
4 October |
Samples arrive at your lab |
2–4 *days later |
Submit your WEC results to ParaBoss by |
15 October |
Confidential reports available to participants |
12 November |
Listing in WormBoss Service Providers Page updated |
26 November |
* Delivery time depends on the Australia Post parcel services.
When freight times are normal all parcels have arrived by Friday when sent on Monday. Samples arriving the following Monday have also been shown to be suitable.
Unfortunately, freight times are out of our control.