Paul Nilon, Nilon Farm Health, Tasmania, offers some good advice for the coming weeks:

Abundant feed means that all sheep are well nourished, and so egg counts have remained very low, particularly in lactating ewes. In the run up to weaning I have been asked many times if the first summer/weaning drench is necessary if the ewes have a low egg count. The answer is: "it depends". If the ewes are to remain on permanent pastures likely to be grazed by weaners later in the season I usually recommend the first summer drench. If, on the other hand, the ewes are assigned to stubbles and other "Siberia" paddocks, the first summer drench serves little purpose.

Nearly all river systems have received repeated floods this winter and spring. Consequently, marshy areas in the lower reaches may be carrying fluke snails that have been washed down from the chronically infected areas in the mountains. The South Esk River valley between Conara and Perth is a "sometimes" fluke habitat, and this will be the year. Similarly for the Macquarie River valley north of Ross. Beware.