ParaBoss: Leading the Charge in Parasite Management for Livestock 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 19 webinars specifically tailored to address the parasite challenges faced by sheep, goat, and cattle producers. With an impressive 4,400 registrations to date, these webinars have become a cornerstone in offering crucial insights and knowledge across the community.

In a groundbreaking move in 2023, ParaBoss hosted its piloted series of face-to-face workshops for producers on the ground, focusing on the complexities of worm and other parasite management for both cattle and sheep. These workshops, which attracted over 50 participants, marked a significant shift in providing hands-on, personalised guidance to producers. The overwhelmingly positive feedback received underscored the workshops’ effectiveness in addressing the practical challenges faced on farms.

Understanding the pressing need for targeted solutions, the custom-designed one-day workshops aim to empower producers by improving on-farm productivity and enhancing overall skills and confidence in internal and external parasite management. Led by notable experts in the industry, the workshops opened up a knowledge bank, providing practical advice to minimise production losses and mortality in herds and flocks.

Participants gained access to easy-to-use resources, ensuring vital information is readily available at their fingertips. Education on strategies 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 ParaBoss extension team is excited to be hosting two more in-person workshops in late February this year. All sheep and cattle producers who are keenly interested are invited to participate in the second and third pilots of our workshops. Pilot attendees will play a crucial role by actively engaging in the workshop and providing valuable grower-based feedback on the content.

The WormBoss Sheep workshop will cover insightful topics such as the introduction and the cost of worms to the Australian sheep industry, understanding worms and their life cycles, implementing best practices for worm control, strategies to minimise drench resistance development on your farm, interpreting worm egg counts and their significance, and utilizing the WormBoss Drench Decision Guides. These guides will provide essential information on product selection, optimal timing, dose rates, and key details found on product labels.

The parasite management in cattle workshop will cover 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 will delve into effective control measures for parasites, guiding participants in selecting appropriate products for parasite control. Emphasis will be 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 will also explore the concept of 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, ParaBoss continues to stand as a beacon of knowledge, guiding producers towards enhanced productivity, reduced losses, and a more sustainable future.

Register for upcoming cattle and sheep workshops at the links below:

Please do not hesitate to contact Megan Rogers, ParaBoss Extension on 0427 459 891, should you have any questions.

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