Options for the control of parasites in the Australian Goat Industry- A situational analysis of parasites and parasite control

Objectives of this review were to: (i) provide an assessment of key parasites, their impact in the Australian goat industry and current control practices; (ii) develop guidelines to maximise and preserve the efficacy of currently registered products; (iii) identify currently unavailable parasiticides that would be beneficial to the goat industry and define the processes required to make them legally available and, (iv) identify alternative non-chemical measures that could be used to reduce reliance on chemical parasiticides. A survey addressing the extent of problems from endo and ectoparasites, and control practices was circulated to 1500 producers. Useable responses were returned from 195. Gastrointestinal parasites were always or mostly a problem on 26% of properties and sometimes a problem on 59% whereas lice were always or mostly a problem for 9% of respondents and sometimes a problem for 53%. Coccidiosis was sometimes a problem for 31% of respondents. Eighty-eight percent of respondents used drenches to control worms, whereas 56% treated for lice and 28% percent treated for coccidiosis. The limited availability of effective goat parasiticides meant that products registered for control of similar parasites in other livestock species were often used. A range of non chemical parasite management techniques were also employed.