Steps you should be taking now to protect your herd
Beef
Treat youngstock at housing for gut worms using a product that contains a macrocyclic lactone (ML) to kill off inhibited Ostertagia worms to reduce the risk of Type 2 ostertagiosis. Adult cattle should not require any treatment for gut worms, but may benefit from treatment if in poor condition. Consider diagnostic tests in older stock. Blood tests are available. Speak to your vet about these
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 now. Use abattoir returns to monitor presence of fluke
The presence of fluke eggs in faeces can indicate liver fluke infection. Check to see if treatment is required
Dairy
Treat youngstock at housing for gut worms using a product that contains a macrocyclic lactone (ML) to kill off inhibited Ostertagia worms to reduce the risk of Type 2 ostertagiosis. Adult cattle should not require any treatment for gut worms, but may benefit from treatment if in poor condition. Consider diagnostic tests in older stock. Milk and blood tests are available. Speak to your vet about these
Take a bulk milk sample and test by ELISA to establish if the milking herd has been exposed to liver fluke. Or eggs can be detected in a faecal sample
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 now. Use abattoir returns to monitor presence of fluke
Resources
Vet, academic or researcher?
Take a look in Resources for more detailed information on all topics.