Without spending a cent, sheep farmers across Australia's high rainfall areas can save millions of dollars each year in the battle against parasites.

The secret? Keeping drench for parasites in the sheep's stomach as long as possible.

Dr Des Hennessy, CSIRO Animal Production, has demonstrated that the efficiency of drenching can be increased using a very simple procedure that reduces production losses.

Of Australia's 124 million sheep, about one third graze in high rainfall areas and need drenching two to four times each year. Worms that survive the drenching process affect the weight of sheep and the rate of wool growth.

"The longer the drench stays in the sheep's stomach, the more effective it is," said Dr Hennessy. "We're advising farmers to keep their sheep off feed for the day before drenching. Pen them up and make sure they have access to water - but as far as possible keep them away from feed."

The drench moves through the sheep's digestive system with food. If the stomach is partially empty, the whole process slows down.

The drench will then stay in the sheep longer, and have more time to work against the parasites, including drench-resistant strains.

The new procedure has been hailed as a success by farmers in major high rainfall sheep-producing areas of Australia, and is being taken up in other countries around the world - New Zealand, Malaysia, United Kingdom, Scotland, Denmark, Nederlands, South Africa, Kenya.

"We'd expect that farmers will be able to get better control over sheep parasites and retard the development of further resistance to drenches," Dr Hennessy said.

Dr Hennessy will be at the Australian National Field Days, Orange, 11 - 13 November. CSIRO is Guest Exhibitor at the Field Days.

Further information :
Dr Des Hennessy 02 9840 2960
Ms Pat Wilson 02 9840 2741 ( ah 02 9428 1134)