Weather Has Caused Worm Threat To Cattle Growth
UK - Many cattle in their first or second grazing season face a much higher than usual worm threat from a potential population explosion following recent rain after April and May’s dry weather, according to Pfizer vet, Andrew Montgomery.
21 June 2011
2 minute read
Due to the dry start to the grazing season, he suggests a large number of cattle may not have been dosed for worms and so remain at risk.
Animals treated with a pour on at turnout may now need a mid-season treatment because of the risk from a rise in worm population.
The only exception, he adds, are those dosed already with a persistent treatment and still within the product’s duration of action. However, it will be important to ensure further treatment after the wormer persistency has finished.
“Worm infections can reduce summer growth rates well before visible signs are present,” he explains. “Maximising growth rates at grass can allow feed cost economies next winter, so a strategy that covers from now until housing can make a real impact on rearing costs.”
Among numerous mid-season options with varying persistency against worms, one moxidectin formulation has 120 days persistency of action against gastro-intestinal worms and lungworm (trade name, CYDECTIN 10 per cent LA for Cattle).
Farmers can use this product mid-season and animals will not require additional treatments if housed within the four month persistency window.
For farmers who prefer a pour-on formulation, the product with the longest dosing interval is 0.5 per cent moxidectin, offering eight to 10 weeks between doses (trade name, CYDECTIN Cattle Pour On).
“Speak to your animal health provider to ensure cattle are protected this season, because the risks could be higher than you think,” urges Mr Montgomery.
TheCattleSite Newsdesk
