COLLABORATION New option for monitoring Developing a mixed farming drench resistance and movement systems research, development of barber’s pole worm and adoption program Principal investigators: Principal investigators: Dr Peter Hunt and Dr Marielle Babineau (pictured Dr Michael Friend, Charles Sturt University (pictured below), below), CSIRO Cam Nicholson, Nicon Rural Services and Dr Lindsay Project proponents: Dr Peter Hunt in response to MLA’s Bell, CSIRO 2016–17 annual project call (based on RD&A priorities Project proponents: Producers in the mixed farming zones identified by southern and western producers) of southern and western Australia Details: The project will deliver a genetics-based test Details: The project assessed the gaps and opportunities for able to detect the early onset of treatments-resistance improving profitability and risk management in mixed farming development in the sheep parasite barber’s pole worm systems, through incorporation of livestock. Producer group (Haemonchus contortus). representatives from WA, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania and SA The test will be cheaper and easier to conduct than the provided input via workshops. current faecal egg count reduction test and will inform A $39 million RD&A program of work over 10 years was producers about the treatments they should and should recommended, with a benefit – cost ratio of 3.4:1. not use, effectiveness of their current control strategy and The recommended investment plan features whether or not they are affected by worms coming into their en components: property from elsewhere. sev 1.Whole-farm management, focusing on business Although the test will be for barber’s pole worm initially, once skills needed to support decision making relating the principle is proved, tests for other key parasites can be to enterprise mix developed in subsequent work. 2. Improving feedbase management End date: December 2018 3. Improved understanding of drivers of profitable animal production Dr Peter Hunt 4. Upskilling advisors to better advise on whole-farm peter.hunt@csiro.au management in mixed farming systems 5. Best-practice labour management 6. Precision livestock management 7.Remaining knowledge gaps for grazing crops. End date: June 2018 Dr Michael Friend E: mfriend@csu.edu.au 13