AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF TWO SCHEMES FOR THE ANTHELMINTIC CONTROL OF HELMINTHIASIS IN WEANED LAMBS

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Abstract
The economic benefit obtained from 2 schemes for the strategic control of helminthiasis in weaned lambs has been assessed in the Western District of Victoria. The results were compared with those from sheep in control groups which were given a single anthelmintic treatment during an outbreak of helminthosis. Mortality in sheep receiving the critical treatment scheme of 2 appropriately timed anthelmintic treatments was 12%, compared with 22% in the group receiving the traditional series of summer and autumn treatments, and 26% in the control group. As a result of this difference in mortality rate, the critical treatment scheme was the most profitable control strategy at 1970-71 prices, yielding a net benefit of $70 per 100 sheep in comparison with the control group which received no strategic treatment. This is 538% return on funds invested in anthelmintic treatment. The benefit from this scheme was not unduly affected by variation in wool or sheep prices, nor to possible differences in mortality rate within the expected range. The traditional treatment scheme also yielded positive net returns, but the results were adversely affected by a small change in mortality rate and therefore could not be recommended for routine use on commerical farms.

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