Sheep farmers are being urged to plan ahead as a shortage of drench capsules looms.
Beef and Lamb said farmers in Wairarapa and across New Zealand who usually relied on Bionic Plus capsules to manage internal parasites in ewes during lambing needed to start planning to farm without the product this year.
It said Boehringer Ingelheim, the distributor of the Bionic Plus controlled release anthelmintic capsule, had announced the adult sheep product would “probably not” be available for lambing in 2023.
Ginny Dodunski, an experienced sheep veterinarian and manager of the Beef and Lamb worm wise programme, said farmers needed to begin planning imminently.
“There are plenty of farmers around New Zealand who get great ewe performance and excellent lamb weaning weights without the use of any pre-lamb worm treatment for ewes – but the key to this is ewe body condition and feed planning.
Getting this right for lambing starts the day you wean.”
Beef and Lamb said issues with the Bionic Plus Hogget capsule had seen it recalled, and an extended meat withholding period was applied to sheep already treated with the capsule.
“While investigations are continuing, it appears the capsules were not releasing product at the correct rate.”
Boehringer has advised vets that out of an abundance of caution, it was highly unlikely that either capsule would be available.
“While there are other long-acting products available, the unavailability of Bionic Plus could be an opportunity for farmers to look at a ‘re-set’ of their breeding flock management,” Dodunski said.
“We know from previous trial work that the factor that comes closest to explaining why some farms see big responses to capsules is feed on offer at lambing.
Dodunski said every farmer had some control over how they managed lambing.
She said it was important to adjust lambing dates, stocking rates, autumn and winter sales policies, grazing management, and animal fertility.
Farmers who would like training in any aspect of feed planning, body condition management and sustainable drench use are encouraged to contact their local B+LNZ extension manager for workshops in their area.
