BioWorma a game-changer in worm control

A new product is about to hit the market that the makers say will be a ‘game-changer’ in worm control – BioWorma.  It is a natural product that is chemical free, and has the potential to save horse owners both time and money.

BioWorma is biological worm control product released by Australian-based International Animal Health Products (IAHP), and it has just been approved by the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority.

BioWorma uses a natural strain of a fungus called Duddingtonia flagrans, which seeks out and traps the larvae of many of the parasites that are common in horses.  This includes parasitic nematodes (roundworms), strongyles, stomach hair worm, ascarids, threadworms and pinworms.

It acts by substantially reducing the numbers of infective worm larvae emerging from manure onto pasture. It will be of most benefit to horse owners who manage their horses on pasture and works best with rotational grazing systems.

When fed to animals, the fungal spores remain inert (having no effect within the host animal) and resist digestion, passing through into the manure. There, they germinate and capture, paralyse and consume emerging worm larvae from sheep, cattle, goats, and horses.

The spores have been thoroughly tested and are considered safe, non-toxic and residue-free.

They pass onto pastures in the manure where they trap and eat the larvae of the major parasitic worms in sheep, cattle, goats and horses.

“It is using nature to fight nature, rather than chemicals to fight nature,” says Chris Lawlor, head of International Animal Health Products.

“The commercial BioWorma is the result of over 20 years of painstaking scientific study and innovation, creating a product that is the first of its kind, anywhere in the world. Drenches currently used to fight intestinal parasites will be supported by BioWorma in reducing re-infestation onto pasture. It’s in a new class.”

Mr Lawlor says there was rigorous testing to make sure the product was safe for farmers to handle, as well as safe for the livestock, the environment, and even for earthworms and dung beetles in the soil.  The product will be particularly useful for properties suffering from dewormer resistance.

Given that BioWorma works through interrupting the crucial re-infestation stage of the parasites’ lifecycle and reducing the amount of re-infection from contaminated pasture, Mr Lawlor says it works best when the livestock are moved onto fresh pasture.

“The product works particularly well within a rotational grazing system.”

Have you tried BioWorma – let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.