Press - COWS - Promoting Sustainable Control of Cattle Parasites

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Things to do now

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

For all editorial enquiries please contact Sara Gregson email: sara@saragregson.co.uk