Experts are warning producers to manage livestock to avoid major stock loss as widespread wet conditions and seasonally low frosts escalates the threat of diseases.
Veterinarians are cautioning livestock producers to consider their animal health management as damp conditions and mild temperatures cause a spike in diseases and parasites in livestock.
The scale of the abrupt seasonal flip from drought to flooding rains has been remarkable, according to Bureau of Meteorology monitoring and prediction head, Dr David Jones, who said May to September was the wettest period on record with more than 55 per cent of Australian rainfall in the highest 10pc of records.
Winter was the second wettest since records began, with conditions resulting in above average evening temperatures and reduced frosts across the country.
Sheep Solutions consultant Geoff Duddy, Leeton, NSW, said the seasonal conditions had provided a breeding ground for health challenges ahead, as foot problems emerge across the eastern seaboard following prolonged periods of sheep standing in water, inadequate feed and an upsurge in infectious diseases impacting farmers.
Mr Duddy said the ongoing wet and muddy conditions were behind a spate of foot abscesses, scald and virulent footrot cases.
While worms were a looming threat too, Mr Duddy said given the mass of feed at present worm uptake would be “watered” down. He said flies were also a major concern.
“There are already reports of body strike. This is one area where producers should look to buy chemicals early as once a fly wave hits there may not be enough product on the shelves,” he said.
Paraboss operations manager Deb Maxwell said extensive rain and flooding in the eastern states would result in plagues of mosquitoes which could affect sheep and goats with the disease Eperythrozoonosis, or commonly called Epi.
This is caused by the bacteria Mycoplasma ovis and can be spread by mosquitoes. The bacteria attach to red blood cells and cause them to rupture.
Dr Maxwell said the signs of Epi appeared the same as barber’s pole worm: anaemia and death, but responses were different.
“If you have more expanses of surface water or flooding than usual this year and the mossies are bad, don’t rush to the drench gun if some sheep deaths occur,” she said.
“Barber’s pole worm should be high on the suspect list as the season progresses – but mosquitoes could be spreading Mycoplasma ovis bacteria and they could also be spreading the Bovine Ephemeral Fever virus.
“If you suspect either barber’s pole worm or Epi, your priority is a WormTest done without mustering the stock.”
She said if there was a high worm egg count treat the sheep immediately with an effective broad-spectrum drench, taking care to muster slowly with your drench pack with you.
“Any sheep that collapse during muster should be drenched on the spot and left behind in some shade, otherwise, the risk of death is high,” she said.
“A larval culture will be valuable to confirm a diagnosis of barber's pole worm, but don't wait the week for the results if sheep are dying and there is a high worm egg counts.”
With Epi, Dr Maxwell said producers must avoid handling of the sheep as mustering could result in extensive losses.
“There is no practical treatment for a whole mob for this disease; you must wait it out,” she said.
“Handling the stock will likely result in more deaths as the anaemic animals do not tolerate mustering very well, and bringing sheep together can increase the spread of the disease through the flock.”
Veterinary Health Research lab manager Rad Nielsen, Armidale, NSW, said winter and spring rainfall had been the catalyst for high worm activity in the region.
Dr Nielsen said the VHR Laboratory had seen mean worm egg counts trend higher over the past few weeks.
“Sheep producers will need to be mindful of worm activity and utilise grazing strategies to maintain some control over paddock contamination,” he said.
“Given the advanced state of drench resistance across the New England/North-West region and the current unavailability of Rametin, high efficacy anthelmintic products are extremely limited on a large proportion of properties.
“The few drench options that are available need to be used judiciously and as part of a multi-active product in order to maximise their longevity.”
Dr Nielsen said drenching should be conducted after worm egg count confirmation, rather than given on an ad-hoc basis.
Strong consideration should also be given to implementing the Barbervax® vaccination program, which was registered for all ages of sheep and had proven ability to enhance barber’s pole worm control.