Drench resistance in sheep parasites is a growing issue in New Zealand, affecting productivity and increasing costs for farmers. The Smartworm® app offers a solution by helping farmers implement targeted selective treatment (TST) to reduce costs.
Background
Drench resistance in sheep parasites is a growing issue in New Zealand, impacting sheep productivity and leading to higher costs for farmers. Traditional methods of treating parasites can contribute to resistance, making it crucial to find effective alternatives. One promising solution is the Smartworm® app, which helps farmers implement a targeted selective treatment (TST) strategy.
Benefits for farmers
- Targeted treatments: The Smartworm® app, paired with electronic animal identification, helps farmers easily identify which sheep need treatment based on weight gain. This precision means fewer sheep are drenched unnecessarily, reducing overall drench usage.
- Lower costs: With targeted selective treatment (TST), drench use can be reduced by nearly half, as shown by early pilot studies. This not only helps to slow the spread of drench resistance but also cuts down on the cost of treatments.
- Sustained productivity: By controlling parasites more efficiently, farmers can protect the health and productivity of their livestock without overspending on treatments.
- Exploring new technology: Facial recognition is currently being tested as a more affordable alternative to electronic animal identification, potentially offering further savings for farmers in the future.
By adopting the Smartworm® app and the TST strategy, farmers can manage parasite control more effectively, reducing costs while preserving the long-term health and productivity of their sheep.
B+LNZ Project Lead
Cara Brosnahan, Principal Scientist – Animal Health Research
Farmer involvement
Nine farms from both North Island and South Island
Providers
Dave Warburton, Vet Services Hawkes Bay; Andy Greer, Lincoln University; Nick Cotter, Cotter Agritech
Expected end date
November 2024