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Interpreting a drench label

This material addresses aspects of the following syllabus outcomes:

A student:

H2.1 describes the inputs, processes and interactions of animal production systems.

The work presented in the following section contributes towards understanding the following syllabus content area:

interpret a chemical label and relate it to safe practice.

Extract form Stage 6 Agriculture Syllabus NSW Board of Studies 1999

This work presents a label from a broad-spectrum sheep drench. You should read the drench label carefully before answering the questions.

HIT'EM broad-spectrum drench

Active ingredient: benzimidazole

Hit'Em is effective against the following parasites:

Small brown stomach worm Ostertagia spp
Black scour worm Trichostrongyfuss spp
Thin-necked intestinal worm Nematodirus spp
Large bowel worm Oesophagostomum columbianum
Large mouthed bowel worm Chabertia ovine
Large lungworm Cictyocaulus filaria

Disposal: Pressure rinse container and dispose of rinsate in a disposal pit away from desirable plants and their roots, and watercourses. Break, crush or puncture and bury empty containers in a local authority landfill. If not available bury the containers below 500 mm in a disposal pit specifically marked and set up for this purpose clear of waterways, vegetation and roots. Empty containers and products should not be burnt.

First Aid: If poisoning occurs, contact a doctor or Poisons Information Centre.

Storage: Store in a cool, dry place (room temperature). Store in the original container, tightly closed in a safe place.

Drenching equipment: Standard drenching equipment should be used to administer Hit'Em. Drenching equipment should be rinsed with clean water before and after use. Ensure drenching equipment is working properly and is correctly calibrated before use.

Directions for use: Shake container before use.

See dosage rates below. Animals over 75 kg should be dosed at 1 mL per 5 kg bodyweight.
Dose the mob to the heaviest animal by liveweight in each group. Do not underdose. To gain an acurrate assessment of weight, animals should be weighed.

Withholding period: Do not use less than 28 days before slaughter for human consumption.

Body weight (kg)	Dosage rate (mL)
Up to 10	2
11-15	3
16-20	4
21-25	5
26-30	6
31-35	7
36-40	8
41-45	9
46-50	10
51-55	11
56-60	12
61-65	13
66-70	14
71-75	15

Activities

Write down the names of four different internal parasites that Hit'Em is effective against.
Can this drench be used for controlling internal parasites in cattle?
Is this drench a BZ or non BZ drench?
A mob of lambs are brought into the yards to be drenched. Using the information on the Hit'Em label, your job is to determine what dosage of drench the lambs are to be given. Below are the weights of the lambs in kilograms.

22, 27, 30, 24, 26, 25, 23, 29, 28, 30, 25, 23, 29, 29, 21, 23, 23, 29, 26, 29, 22, 21, 23, 28, 21.
A mob of ewes are brought into the yards to be drenched. Using the information on the Hit'Em label, your job is to determine what dosage of drench the ewes are to be given. Below are the weights of the ewes in kilograms.

55, 57, 54, 52, 59, 54, 60, 60, 55, 53, 57, 58, 51, 56, 56, 58, 59, 60, 52, 57, 56, 54, 56, 54, 52.
For a prime lamb enterprise, the time of sale may influence time of drenching. Explain why?
The Hit'Em label states that the drench should be dosed according to the heaviest animal in the mob and that underdosing is not recommended. Using the information provided, explain why underdosing is not recommended.
The label of Hit'Em gives clear instructions about how empty containers should be disposed of. Explain why you think that it is important for users of Hit'Emto dispose of the container appropriately and safely.
If a farmer was aiming to follow the Wormkill programme, would Hit'Em be a suitable drench to be used?
For a farmer following Wormkill, would another drench be required to be used as well as Hit'Em? Explain your answer.
Should Hit'Em be used continually on the same property? Explain your answer.
Why do you think the label states 'Store in original container, tightly closed in a safe place'?

Answers

Now try The effects of internal parasites: an experimental trial.

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