Parasite control in cattle – from Grass and Forage Manager

14th February 2020

Things to do at housing

Steps you should be taking now to protect your herd

Beef

Check if youngstock needs worming for gut worms at housing using faecal egg counts (FECs). If infection risk is high, use a product that contains a macrocyclic lactone (ML) to kill off inhibited Ostertagia worms to reduce the risk of Type ll ostertagiosis later in the winter. Adult cattle should not require any treatment for gut worms.
There is no natural immunity to liver fluke, so all ages of stock must be assessed for treatment where there is a history, or risk of infection. Check fluke forecasts and abattoir returns to monitor presence of fluke
Blood test a group of first season grazing calves (as sentinels) two weeks after housing to check whether they have been in contact with liver fluke in the summer
The copro-antigen test or presence of fluke eggs in faeces can indicate liver fluke infection. These tests are best done about eight to twelve weeks after housing in older cattle. Use them around Christmas to see if treatment is required
If liver fluke is already known to be present, administer a flukicide now and/or over winter
Liver fluke treatments target different ages of the parasite. Check the datasheets of the products being used. Some products may need repeat treatments during winter, depending on the age of the parasite being killed. See COWS liver fluke control guidance note
If cattle are left on liver fluke infested pasture after treatment, they may need to be treated again in six to 12 weeks, depending on the product used. This is because none of the flukicidal products have any residual activity, so animals can pick up infection immediately after treatment
Watch out for signs of lice or mange mites, eg itching, hair loss and scaly lesions, commonly seen in housed cattle from January onwards. Diagnose and treat. Talk to the vet or SQP/RAMA to discuss options

Dairy

Check if youngstock needs worming for gut worms at housing using faecal egg counts (FECs). If infection risk is high, use a product that contains macrocyclic lactone (ML) to kill off inhibited Ostertagia worms to reduce the risk of Type ll ostertagiosis later in the winter. Adult cattle should not require any treatment for gut worms
Take a bulk milk sample to test if the milking herd has been exposed to liver fluke.
There is no natural immunity to liver fluke, so all ages of stock must be assessed for treatment where there is a history, or risk of infection. Check fluke forecasts and use abattoir returns to monitor presence of fluke
Blood test a group of first season grazing calves (as sentinels) two weeks after housing to check whether they have been in contact with liver fluke in the summer
The copro-antigen test or presence of fluke eggs on faeces can indicate liver fluke infection. These tests are best done about eight to twelve weeks after housing in older cattle. Use them around Christmas to see if treatment is required.
If liver fluke is already know to be present, administer a flukicide now and/or over winter
Liver fluke treatments target different ages of the parasite. Check the datasheets of the products being used. Some products may need repeat treatments during winter, depending on the age of the parasite being killed. See COWS liver fluke control guidance note
If cattle are left on liver fluke infested pasture after treatment, they may need to be treated again in six to 12 weeks, depending on the product used. This is because none of the flukicidal products have any residual activity, so animals can pick up infection immediately after treatment
Watch out for signs of lice or mange mites, eg itching, hair loss and scaly lesions, commonly seen in housed cattle from January onwards. Diagnose and treat. Talk the vet, SQP or RAMA to discuss options

Resources

Vet, academic or researcher?

Take a look in Resources for more detailed information on all topics.