**Updated 22 August 2024

With flies, lice, ticks, and worms posing constant threats to livestock nationwide, ParaBoss, a renowned parasite management website and extension program, has been tirelessly working over the past three years to solidify its position as Australia’s premier resource for sheep, goat, and cattle producers. In a landscape where effective parasite management is crucial, ParaBoss has emerged as a pivotal ally for producers seeking sustainable solutions.

Over the past three years, ParaBoss has actively engaged with the livestock community, leaving an indelible mark on the industry. The team covered substantial ground, hosting 25 webinars specifically tailored to address the parasite challenges faced by sheep, goat, and cattle producers. With over 5700 registrations, these webinars proved to be a cornerstone in offering crucial insights and knowledge across the community and are now available on the ParaBoss website.

The impact of internal and external parasites on the Australian cattle industry is staggering, with an estimated cost of approximately $459.8 million. Similarly, the sheep industry is grappling with an estimated $655 million in losses for internal parasites alone. Recognising the economic significance of effective parasite management, ParaBoss has positioned itself as a valuable resource for producers aiming to mitigate these losses.

In a strategic move, ParaBoss piloted a series of face-to-face workshops for producers, focusing on the complexities of worm and parasite management in cattle and sheep. Between February 2023 and June 2024, ParaBoss delivered nine workshops, attracting over 118 participants. These workshops marked a significant shift in providing hands-on, personalised guidance to producers. The overwhelmingly positive feedback underscored the effectiveness of the workshops in addressing the practical challenges faced on farms.

Recognising the pressing need for targeted solutions, the custom-designed one-day workshops empowered producers by enhancing overall skills and confidence in managing internal and external parasites which in turn improves on-farm productivity. Led by notable industry experts, the workshops offered practical advice to minimise production losses and mortality in herds and flocks due to parasites. The pilot attendees also played a crucial role by actively engaging in the workshop and providing valuable grower-based feedback on the content.

Participants gained access to easy-to-use resources, ensuring vital information is readily available at their fingertips. Strategies were provided to reduce chemical resistance impacts and enhance the effectiveness of drenches and parasiticides further equipped producers with the tools needed for sustainable parasite management.

The WormBoss Sheep workshop covered insightful topics, including an introduction to the cost of worms, understanding their life cycles, implementing best practices for their control, strategies to minimise drench resistance development, interpreting worm egg counts and their significance, and utilising the WormBoss Drench Decision Guides. These guides offer essential information on product selection, optimal timing, dose rates, and key details found on product labels.

The parasite management in cattle workshop provided a comprehensive overview of the main parasites affecting cattle in Australia, encompassing their life cycles and the livestock impacts of worms, ticks, lice, and flies. The sessions delved into effective control measures for parasites, guiding participants in selecting appropriate products for parasite control. Emphasis was placed on best practices in applying parasiticides, along with strategies for managing and preventing chemical resistance, including considerations such as rotation, application techniques, and genetic solutions. The workshop also explored integrated parasite management, shedding light on biosecurity measures for optimal livestock health.

ParaBoss’s unwavering commitment to providing timely, relevant, and practical solutions has positioned it as a trailblazer in the field of parasite management for livestock producers. As the industry grapples with evolving challenges like chemical resistance, ParaBoss continues to stand as a beacon of knowledge, guiding producers towards enhanced productivity, reduced losses, and a more sustainable future.

Visit the ParaBoss website here ParaBoss.com.au.

ParaBoss is a joint initiative between Meat and Livestock Australia, Australian Wool Innovation, University of New England, and Animal Health Australia.