The OvaCyte analyser combines advanced imaging with artificial intelligence to deliver highly accurate parasite diagnostics.
With drench resistance on the rise, new AI-powered diagnostic technology is helping sheep producers monitor worm burdens more accurately and make better parasite management decisions.
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Internal parasites remain one of the most costly health challenges facing Australia’s livestock industries.
Yet despite the significant production losses they cause, many producers still do not routinely conduct faecal egg counts (FECs) or drench resistance tests (faecal egg count reduction tests or FECRTs).
The reasons vary.
Testing has traditionally been seen as expensive, time- consuming and inconvenient, while some producers are simply unaware of the benefits that regular monitoring can provide.
Conventional laboratory testing also relies on microscopic examination, with samples often needing to be posted or couriered away, delaying results by several days or over a week for worm larval identification.
Over the past seven years, automated faecal egg counting systems such as FECPAK G2 (Techion, New Zealand) and ParaSight Systems (USA) have helped bring parasite diagnostics closer to the farm.
Around 150 units are now operating through rural merchandise stores, veterinary clinics and on-farm locations across Australia, reducing labour requirements and lowering testing costs.
Now, a third-generation automated analyser is raising the bar even further.
The OvaCyte analyser, developed by Telenostic in Ireland, combines advanced imaging with artificial intelligence to deliver highly accurate parasite diagnostics.
Using a 4.5ml sample contained in a rotating thermoplastic cassette, the system captures 180 images that are analysed by AI to identify and count strongyles, thin-necked intestinal worms, barber’s pole worms, tapeworms and coccidia eggs.
Internal parasites remain one of the most costly health challenges facing Australia’s livestock industries.
Matthew Playford from Dawbuts Pty Ltd said the biggest advance with OvaCyte is that producers no longer have to choose between speed and accuracy.
“They can obtain highly sensitive results and identify barber’s pole worm almost immediately, giving them greater confidence in their parasite management decisions.”
Matthew Playford believes with OvaCyte, producers no longer have to choose between speed and accuracy.
Preparation takes just five minutes and requires no centrifuge or specialist reagents other than saturated saline. The analyser connects via Wi-Fi or a mobile phone hotspot, making it practical for use in rural locations.
One of OvaCyte’s standout features is its exceptional sensitivity, detecting as few as three eggs per gram of dung—the most sensitive system currently available. This makes it suitable for monitoring sheep, cattle and horses, as well as conducting drench resistance testing.
The analyser also counts coccidial oocysts, providing an early warning for coccidiosis before clinical signs appear.
A separate testing cassette enables rapid detection of liver fluke and paramphistome eggs, assisting with the diagnosis of flukicide resistance.
Perhaps the biggest advantage is the ability to instantly identify barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus) during or immediately after the egg count. This allows producers and advisers to make more informed drenching decisions using tools such as WormBoss, while also providing valuable estimates of pasture larval contamination.
Importantly, the cost per test is comparable to existing automated faecal egg count systems, making the technology accessible without increasing testing costs.
Helping producers make better drench decisions
The latest OvaCyte analyser provides livestock producers, veterinarians and rural advisers with faster, more sensitive parasite diagnostics at the point of care.
By combining AI-driven analysis, rapid barber’s pole worm identification and simple operation, the system offers a practical solution for improving parasite management and preserving drench effectiveness.
Users are supported by the expertise of the Dawbuts reference laboratory.
