Roundworms in cattle can reduce growth rates by up to 30% (1) so it is important not to delay the mid-season pour-on dose as this potentially leads to a loss of production as the worm burden could start to impact on growth rates. It can be hard to notice the economic impact of worms unless regular weighing is taking place as reduction in growth rates will take place before any more obvious clinical signs are seen.
It is the aim of every farmer to get uninterrupted growth in their animals, but as turnout approaches there is one factor that can stop cattle from achieving their growth rate targets – PARASITES!
Efficiency on UK livestock farms is at the forefront of many farmers minds as the future of support payments becomes uncertain and England and Wales drive for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040.
While efficiency encompasses all areas of farm management and production, there are some easy wins producers can make to help make your farm more efficient.
As a farmer, planning worm control prior to turnout is vital to prevent cattle from becoming infected at grass, which could lead to subsequent production losses. Asking the following questions can help you and your animal health care provider understand when to treat cattle and with what product:
When it comes to managing worms in sheep, it is no longer acceptable to use anthelmintics routinely. While wormers have their place, they need to be preserved for use at the right time to stop the development of anthelmintic resistance.
What do we know about worm control? Advice on the best ways to control worms in horses has changed in recent years and it is important to stick with the new advice to ensure a healthy and happy horse.
A faecal worm egg count indicates whether you need to give your horse a wormer or not. It measures the number of worm eggs contained in a sample of your horse’s dung.
Small and large redworms, large roundworms and tapeworms are four of the most dangerous equine worm parasites that can affect your horse. Every horse, like any animal, is home to countless microscopic creatures. Most of them are nothing to worry about.
