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.
A recent scientific report1 has highlighted the financial drain worms are having on UK livestock farms with annual costs of up to £270 million due to lost production and treatment expenditure every year.
It is an issue the report authors say remains hidden on many farms with it ‘grumbling away’ in the background. In the UK, dairy cattle account for 55% of the total annual sum, and beef cattle 29%.
Worryingly through, as farmers look to produce more meat and milk from grazed grass it is expected the issue could arise, if action is not taken.
So, what can farmers be doing to help stem the rise in worm populations on farms and make their farm more efficient?
Understanding the risk
The starting point for every farmer should be to understand what the worm risk is on their farm. This is possible through use of:
- Monitoring weights
- Faecal egg count testing (for worms) or coproantigen testing (for fluke)
- Post-mortems
- Data from abattoirs
Once this is established then a plan can be put in place to help manage the risk. This may include:
1. Grazing management
- some pastures may be more prone to certain parasites
- different ages of stock may be less / more at risk due to their level of immunity so can be grazed strategically
- Depending on whether it is permanent pasture, silage aftermath, etc.
- What has grazed the field previously
2. Regular monitoring of worms through monitoring weights and faecal egg counts
3. Strategic use of anthelmintics
following the five ‘r’s rule
- The right product for the type of worm
- The right animal
- The right time
- The right dose rates
- Administered in the right way
Managing the worm burden on farm may be only one part of the jigsaw to improve farm efficiency, but it is an important part. Not managing it can have negative consequences on cattle growth resulting in longer finishing times, poorer meat quality and higher emissions – not to mention the impact on cow welfare. Speak to your animal health care provider for further information on what the right treatment strategy is for your farm.
References
Charlier et al. (2020) Initial assessment of the economic burden of major parasitic helminth infections to the ruminant livestock industry in Europe, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105103
