Barber’s Pole worm is a highly prolific parasite that resides in the fourth stomach of sheep and goats. Its name comes from its striking red-and-white striped appearance, caused by its blood-filled digestive tract and reproductive organs intertwined. Female worms can produce up to 10,000 eggs per day, which are deposited onto pastures through faeces. Under favourable conditions, these eggs hatch into larvae, which grazing sheep ingest. Within three weeks, the larvae develop into adult worms, causing anaemia and, in severe cases, death.
Dr Doyle attributes the current outbreak to higher-than-average min and max temperatures and significant rainfall across the region. “These conditions have created the perfect environment for Barber’s Pole worm to thrive,” she said.
“Eggs are hatching en masse, and larvae are infecting sheep at an alarming rate.”
Detecting infections early is one of the biggest challenges for farmers. “By the time clinical signs appear, such as anaemia or weakness, sheep are often heavily infected, and death rates may already be rising,” Dr Doyle explained. She recommends regular monitoring every four weeks to identify infections before they escalate.
Traditional methods of control, such as drenching, are becoming less effective due to widespread drench resistance in the sheep industry. Dr Doyle emphasises the need for an integrated approach to parasite management. This includes strategic drenching, paddock rotation, and preparing clean paddocks in advance for vulnerable animals, such as weaners or pregnant ewes. Vaccination is also an option, with Barbervax offering targeted protection against Barber’s Pole worm. Breeding sheep with genetic resistance to worms provides a long-term solution to reduce reliance on chemical treatments.
To support farmers in managing parasites, UNE collaborated with Meat & Livestock Australia (MLA) and Australian Wool Innovation (AWI) to develop WormBoss, a free online decision-support tool. WormBoss is part of the ParaBoss package and provides tailored advice based on specific regions and livestock. Farmers can use the platform to determine the best drenching schedules, monitor their animals effectively, and implement grazing strategies to reduce parasite exposure.
“Effective grazing management not only reduces the need for chemical intervention but also provides sheep with the nutrition they need to combat parasites,” Dr Doyle said.
Breaking the parasite’s life cycle is critical to controlling outbreaks. Dr Doyle explained that environmental extremes can help reduce worm populations. “If conditions are right, eggs hatch into larvae, which climb onto grass and are ingested by animals. This process can happen in as little as four days during warmer weather. Once ingested, larvae develop into adult worms within 19 days, continuing the cycle if animals remain on the same pasture.”
In cooler climates like New England, paddocks need to rest for at least six months to become low-risk grazing areas. Alternatively, grazing cattle on infected pastures can help reduce worm populations, as cattle are not affected by sheep-specific worms.
Dr Doyle’s research highlights the importance of proactive management to protect livestock and ensure the sustainability of sheep farming in the region. With tools like WormBoss and an integrated approach to parasite control, farmers can stay ahead of outbreaks and safeguard their flocks.
