Severity and prevalence of small lungworm infection on three South Australian farms and associations with sheep carcass characteristics

This field and abattoir study assessed the association of severity prevalence small lungworm lesions with carcass characteristics 1332 lambs adult sheep bred on three farms in southeast SA. Liveweight measures infection were measured farm, then lung at slaughter. The overall slaughter was 79 % (928/1177; 95 CI 76, 81), a 87 (569/658; 84, 89) lambs, 69 (359/519; 65, 73) adults, respectively. Small infected adults had similar hot standard weight dressing percentage compared to non-infected animals, both within their respective cohort. Overall, mean for 23.4 kg (95 18, 29), 23.6 respectively, difference 0.2 -0.4, 0.8; P = 0.5). Mean 21.3 15, 28), 21.5 -0.5, 0.9; confirmed very high this region SA, but weights not reduced by these lesions. Additional information compare presence productivity an individual collected which provided more detailed than is currently routine surveillance. limitations available diagnostic tests also demonstrated. indicated need development sensitive assess infections farm abattoir. Currently, farmers are concerned about sheep, provides reassurance that mild does reduce production.