Among all cow-calf manager’s input investments, parasite control offers some of the highest potential returns.
Like so many aspects of beef production, deworming has become more complicated:
- There’s growing awareness that generic, calendar-based recommendations do not necessarily provide the best control in every production environment
- Cattle movements have facilitated worm movements. Herds may now harbor different worm species than in the past.
- Finally, the risk of promoting drug resistance in worm populations adds a new wrinkle, as traditional deworming programs could become progressively less effective.
Source: Drovers, March 2018, page 18.
Tom Craig, DVM, stresses producers should work with a veterinarian in devising and continuously monitoring an overall parasite-control strategy. If performance and reproductive efficiency decline in a herd, strategic changes in timing or product selection could make a difference. If a producer suspects resistance has developed among local worm populations, work with specialists to conduct fecal egg count reduction tests to evaluate efficacy of deworming products.
INSIGHTS: For sales representatives and veterinarians, a more site-specific deworming approach should include proactive follow-up to be sure that deworming protocols accomplish the objectives for parasite reduction. Sales reps and veterinarians can team up to manage activities post deworming.