Maximise Success for Ewes Pre-Lamb

In Association with Zoetis

In an ideal world, ewes should be approaching lambing in good condition (BCS 3).  However, for a variety of reasons not every farm will have all stock in peak condition, tools may be needed to help improve performance for lambing. While priority feeding light and younger ewes is the first and best option, strategically treating very light or younger ewes with a long-acting drench can also be beneficial to their health and performance. 

When considering which drench options to use, the longer acting the product, the longer it will kill worm larvae, protecting the ewe so she can use the saved protein and energy for maintaining body weight and milk production. That makes long-acting products really beneficial when ewes are stressed with a feed shortage or if they are in poor condition. They are also of benefit if you have been overstocked with lambs for longer than desired and pastures are more contaminated with parasite larvae. The higher the larval challenge, the greater the stress on the ewes and the greater the potential benefit from treating with a long-acting product.

If long-acting products are used, you’ll need other tools to help reduce the risk of drench resistance. Not treating all ewes, ensuring untreated ewes either graze with or follow treated ones, giving an Exit treatment and monitoring efficacy of the long-acting product are additional tools to implement. Just using a combination of products is not an effective strategy, as these select for resistance as well. Management strategies that promote refugia must be instituted. 

The longest worm protection comes from Cydectin® Long Acting Injection for Sheep with 112 days cover against Teladorsagia circumcincta. It also has 42 days protection against Trichostrongylus colubriformis. These are the key parasites affecting ewes pre-lamb. The benefit from protecting the ewes from these parasites for such a long period of time was demonstrated in a trial involving poor condition (average BCS 2), twin bearing ewes, published in 2017 [1]. Ewes treated with either a capsule or Cydectin Long Acting Injection for Sheep were both heavier at weaning (3.5kg average) than their untreated flock mates and so were their lambs (2.6kg average). Both treatment groups produced equivalent results. 

Cydectin Long Acting Injection for Sheep is easy to administer, and the dose can be easily adjusted based on the weight of the ewe. The dose ewes should receive pre-lamb should be based on their weight at lambing time, not their pre-tup weight, so don’t forget to add about 15kg on to that pre-tup weight for the twins, placenta, and enlarged uterus! For farmers that shed out wet dries, Cydectin Long Acting Injection for Sheep has a relatively short meat withhold at 91 days, shorter than some other long acting injections and capsules. Being the innovator product, it has been rigorously tested for safety, efficacy, formulation and residues, to show the benefits of improved worm control in sheep. If you think your ewes will be feeling the pinch over lambing, consider selective treatment with a product that is proven and trusted to work. 

Talk with your local Farmlands TFO about how to manage parasites and drenches sustainably. You can also find more information at wormwise.co.nz or www.changeitup.nz.

References:

[1] C Bingham, A Hodge and B Mariadass. Comparison of two long-acting pre-lambing anthelmintic treatments on the productivity of ewes in low body condition New Zealand Veterinary Journal, 2017

Zoetis New Zealand Limited. Tel: 0800 963 847; www.zoetis.co.nz. Cydectin is a registered trade mark of Zoetis. ACVM No. A9926.