NBA Winter Magazine_2023_

Parasite Watch | Sioned Timothy
Parasite Watch
Sioned Timothy
Technical Services Manager, Boehringer
Ingelheim Animal Health
How to have a worm-free winter
Removing production-limiting worms from cattle at housing can support healthy growth
rates in youngstock, and improve milk production in heifers due to calve over winter.
Follow these five tips for an effective worm-free winter:
1. Identify at-risk youngstock to treat
at housing. Treat calves and first and
second-season youngstock that have
been exposed to worms on the pasture.
Ideally, treat them as soon as they are
housed to provide the greatest benefit.
2. Assess the risk of liver fluke infection.
All ages of cattle are at risk if they
grazed pasture where liver fluke is
present, or cattle were bought-in during
the season and not given quarantine
treatments. Treat high risk cattle and
those confirmed to be infected with
fluke at housing to remove the bulk of
any fluke infection, and test animals
later in the winter to determine if a
second dose is required. Your vet or
SQP can advise on the interval required
between treating and testing.
3. Prioritise heifers due to calve over
winter for a worm treatment at
housing, this will support optimal milk
production post-calving and protect
their future fertility.
4. Remember to treat external parasites.
Although they’re not worms, mites and
lice cause itching and irritation in the
warmer environment of barns and can
cause production loss and damaged
hides. Ask your vet or SQP for a product
that also treats these external parasites.
5. Check your dosing equipment before
use. Check and calibrate application
guns are working properly and
dispensing the correct dose, before
you use them. Clean them after use, to
ensure they perform as expected next
time.
IVOMEC ® Super is a broad-spectrum, dualactive
parasite control for cattle, that treats
and provides protection against reinfection
from the most pathogenic gutworm species
including Ostertagia ostertagi, Cooperia
spp., and the cattle lungworm, plus adult
liver fluke, sucking lice and mange mites.
22 The National Beef Association Magazine | WINTER 2023