Management Practices

The release in October 2014 of the new ‘Barbervax’ vaccine against barber’s pole worm gives the sheep industries a new weapon in the fight against an old foe. This provides a major alternative to drench-based control, and will help manage drench resistance. After many years of research in Scotland by the Moredun Research Institute, and recent collaboration with the Department of Agriculture and Food in Western Australia, the world’s first sheep worm vaccine, and the first vaccine for a gut dwelling worm parasite of livestock, has been produced. more »

Parasite larvae live in the lower 2 cm of grass AND need water to survive (dew, rain). Longer pastures enable alpacas to graze away from the worm larvae and reduce worm pick-up! more »

A general and short guide to neonatal care, parasite control, vaccinations, dental development and care, and nail trimming. more »

Alpacas can be infected with the same parasites as other livestock in Australia. Fortunately, alpacas tend to use a communal dung heap, which means they spread fewer parasites across paddocks than sheep or cattle, but an alpaca grazing near the dung heap can pick up significant numbers of parasites. LIKELY SUSPECTS Internal parasites likely to cause problems in alpacas include liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) and roundworms, black scour worm (Trichostrongylus sp.), Barbers pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) and small brown stomach worm (Teladorsagia circumcincta). These parasites can cause conditions from mild weight-loss to scouring, blood loss and death if left uncontrolled. Tapeworm appear to cause minimal problems in alpacas. more »

Without a doubt, the biggest advantage of dryland farming is a sizeable reduction in parasitic infestation, as compared to wet, humid environments. Parasites can multiply rapidly and, if unchecked, can lead to severe illness and even death in livestock. Most internal parasites enter the alpaca through oral ingestion. Pasture grazing presents a higher risk of exposure than dry lot feeding. more »