Spring Newsletter: Skip to Cattle News, Sheep News, The Back Page
Dear Clients
Two distinctly different climate patterns over the year to date pose some unique stock health issues going forward into spring and summer.
Up north in QLD tick country, favourable weather conditions will have contributed to high loads of ticks going dormant after autumn. Meaning a higher number of ticks surviving the winter to result in what could be a very large 1st generation of emerging ticks in late spring, which breed quickly to become a big problem in the following 2nd and 3rd generations. To prevent what could be huge tick issues from the 2nd and 3rd generation, cattle must be treated early in the season with an effective long-acting product to snuff out most emerging 1st generation ticks. As soon as seed ticks become apparent, my recommendation is to treat ASAP with Vetmec LA (long-acting moxidectin injection) or Tickmaster Plus (pour-on fluazuron and ivermectin).
Down south, many could be lulled into a false sense of security with dry conditions over the last 12 months, resulting in little evidence of worms over the winter. However, the ingredients are all there for a tough season worm-wise, including low conditioned ewes with lambs at foot, or cows with calves at foot, grazing on short, moist pasture. The ‘take-away’ here is not to drop the ball. Be diligent when weaning lambs to ensure the health of ewe and lamb alike. If you’re unsure if you have a worm burden, worm tests are your best friend. If worm treatments weren’t given to yearling cattle in the winter, then an early spring treatment is a must.
A big feature of this edition is the launch of our new sheep product- Vetmec Strikemaster Extra! Which is the more concentrated version of Vetmec Strikemaster that will be discontinued shortly. Addition of an extra 15g/L of dicyclanil ensures the product provides long-lasting prevention against fly strike, and we’re excited to be able to offer it for the upcoming summer.
There has been a bit of a focus on sheep over the last couple of months at Chemvet. The team had a major presence at several multi day sheep expos, and enjoyed touching base with clients old and new and keeping up with issues facing the industry.
Best wishes for a great spring!
Murray
Cattle News
Get Ahead of the First Tick Wave
Following on from Murray’s Cattle Tick control advice on the front page… With a cracking season across most of tick country, the first generation of ticks emerging this spring could be bigger than expected. It’s essential to target any ticks that have survived winter and are now starting to appear on cattle. Don’t wait—treat them before you can say VETMEC. Use Vetmec Long-Acting as soon as ticks are first sighted (or even earlier), or reach for Vetmec Tickmaster Plus to knock out the first generation completely. Getting in early helps reduce tick pressure through summer and autumn, setting your cattle up for a more productive season.
Spring Sales
Vetmec LA Long Acting Injection for Cattle 500mL
$690 + GST NOW $660 + GST
Get a FREE 5mL Injector & Needles with your order of Vetmec LA
*until 30th November*
Vetmec Tickmaster Plus Ivermectin Pour-On for Cattle
15L $1480 NOW $1450 + GST
5L $520 NOW $510 + GST
2.5L $270 NOW $265 + GST
Get a FREE Pour-On Applicator when you buy 2+ Drums
*Until 30th November*
The Critical Liver Fluke Treatment
As we edge out of winter, it’s the ideal time to clean up liver fluke if you haven’t already —especially in cooler regions like Tasmania. Treating in August/September will treat any liver fluke that have been picked up over the year. If the spring liver fluke treatment is still on your todo list, Vetmec F Broad Spectrum Cattle Injection knocks out liver fluke and takes care of all major worms, plus sucking lice in one easy dose.
VETMEC F Broad Spectrum Antiparasitic Cattle Injection
$165 + GST
Free Multi Purpose Cutter & Needles with every Vetmec F order.
Free 12.5mL Injector & Needles with 10+ Packs.
*Until 30th September 2025*
Current Cattle Tag Prices
Medium: From $1.53* + GST
Large: From $1.74* + GST
Extra Large: From $2.01* + GST
Medium: From $1.02* + GST
Large: From $1.10* + GST
Extra Large: From $1.50* + GST
*Plus extra for printing
Sheep News
Flick The Fly – NEW PRODUCT – Strikemaster Extra!
We’ve upped the strength so you can get the most out of your blowfly protection this season. Now with 65 g/L of active ingredient, Strikemaster EXTRA delivers up to 29 weeks of protection against sheep blowfly strike. For the best results, apply early in the season to stay ahead of fly populations before they explode in summer. Remember—flies love a smell—so keep on top of dags and scours with a good crutch and drench where needed. More information here.
MORE ACTIVE
BETTER PROTECTION
SAME PRICE
20L – $850 + GST
5L – $300 + GST
‘Old’ Strikemaster Clearance Special
To make room in the warehouse for its replacement product and to see out the last batch of the 50g/L dicyclanil product, it’s going on sale! Offering 18-24 weeks of protection against flystrike, it’s a perfect product for lamb marking.
Product expiry is June 2029. LIMITED STOCK AVAILABLE
Vetmec Strikemaster Spray On for Sheep (Dicyclanil 50g/L)
20L – NOW $750 + GST
Buy 5+ Drums – $690 + GST
5L – NOW $250 + GST
WHILE STOCKS LAST
Bodyguard Spring Special
Looking to control flies with strategic shearing this spring/summer?
Then you might not need the long acting flystrike prevention products above. However, off-shears is the best time to reset the risk of lice, or treat any existing lice infestations in your flock. Vetmec Bodyguard Pour-On Lousicide (35g/L Imidacloprid) is the best off-shears product for the job! When applied within 7 days of shearing, it will knockdown lice AND it has 4 weeks residual protection.
PLUS we’ve got a great spring special to keep essential costs down!
Vetmec Bodyguard Pour-On Lousicide for Sheep 20L
$340 NOW $330 + GST
Buy 4+ Drums: $310 + GST
Buy 10+ Drums: $290 + GST
*Until 3Oth November 2025*
2025 SPRING TAGGER SPECIALS!
FREE Z2 No Tear Tagger with qualifying orders of:
- 200 x Z Tag NLIS Cattle Tags, or
- 150 x NLIS + Management Tags
- 500+ 2PC Visual/Management Tags
2 x FREE Z2 No Tear Taggers with orders of 500+ Z Tag NLIS Cattle Tags!
FREE Z1 No Snag Tagger with qualifying orders of:
- 500+ 1PC Visual/Management Tags, or
- 500+ Feedlot Tags
FREE FET Applicator with qualifying orders of:
- 200+ Electronic FET Sheep Tags
- 1000+ FET Sheep Tags
FREE TagFaster Applicator with qualifying orders of:
- 500+ Electronic TagFaster Sheep Tags
- 2000+ TagFaster Sheep Tags
Get 10% OFF Tru-Test Products when you order 1000+ electronic sheep or cattle tags!
*Spring Tagger Specials End on 31 October 2025*
Out & About
You might’ve seen the VETMEC flag flying at the Australian Sheep & Wool Show and Sheepvention again this year, with Josh, Jess & Antoinette enjoying all things ovine and catching up with clients from all over the country who made the trek. You’ll catch Tash & Josh at the Henty Machinery Field Days from September 23rd to the 25th later in the year!
