SHEEP producers are being reminded to have their say on the future of sheep parasite management with a national Sheep Parasite Survey closing soon.
This survey gives producers the opportunity to provide input into how the industry manages parasites including worms, flies and lice.
The survey is anticipated to attract more than 1000 participants and has not been performed since 2011.
By participating in the survey, sheep producers have the opportunity to influence the future strategy for parasite management, research and extension.
Lead by a team of researchers from the University of New England, the AWI-funded survey will assess the parasite control measures of sheep producers across Australia, focusing on worm, liver fluke, blowfly and lice control.
Australian Wool Innovation Research general manager Jane Littlejohn said the survey results would enable industry to identify the important parasite management issues impacting sheep producers.
“The results from the parasite survey will also provide updated regional benchmarks for parasite control,” she said.
“The resulting benchmark will be available to sheep producers to then compare their management practices and, if necessary, make changes to their enterprises.”
Internal and external parasites combined are the major disease problem of Australian sheep, estimated to cost the industry $715 million a year, including $495m in lost production and $220m in costs of control.
- Details: wool.com/paraboss