Production effects, diagnosis and control of small lungworms in sheep in southeastern Australia
This project supported PhD scholar Jenny Hanks to investigate production effects, diagnosis and control of small lungworms in sheep in southeastern Australia.
| Project start date: | 02 January 2018 |
| Project end date: | 30 December 2020 |
| Publication date: | 05 April 2022 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Sheep, Lamb |
| Relevant regions: | Southern Australia, NSW, Victoria |
Summary
MLA runs a Postgraduate Scholarship program that supports PhD scholars and Master’s students to research areas of relevance to the red meat industry. This program helps to upskill and maintain future scientists that can have a positive contribution to the industry. Between 2018 and 2020, MLA supported 33 postgraduate scholars.
THESIS ABSTRACT
The effects of small lungworm (Muellerius capillaris and Protostrongylus rufescens) on sheep production in southeastern Australia are not clear. However, there is evidence that small lungworm can be a significant problem in other parts of the world, which suggests that direct and indirect losses may be incurred from these infections in Australia. Recent monitoring in abattoirs and anecdotal evidence from producers and veterinary advisors suggest a very high prevalence of small lungworm infection of adult sheep and lambs, particularly from farms in the southeast area of South Australia (SA). Limitations of current diagnostic tests mean that these high estimates may be even greater. As a result, producers in this region are concerned about potential economic loss from such high prevalences of small lungworm. Furthermore, there are no recommendations on how to control small lungworm if management is indicated due to production loss. Consequently, this thesis sought to improve understanding of the production effects, diagnosis, and control of small lungworm in southeastern Australia through a series of studies over three years (2018-2020).
Benefits to industry
During Jenny's Postgraduate studies she published 3 papers from her thesis and was awarded the VW Officer Prize in Veterinary Science at the University of Melbourne (2021, 2019).
Jenny continues to be involved in applied livestock research and is currently contributing to an Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) funded project (LPS/2016/011). This project aims to improve smallholder dairy and beef profitability by enhancing farm production and value chain management in Pakistan.
