by Casey Jentz, Livestock Territory Manager
Strategic deworming is a balancing act of economics and timing. There is a lot of money that can be made by deworming at the right time. This will allow a herd to perform in a cost-effective way through improved reproductive performance, increased weaning weights and better feed conversions. For this reason, strategic deworming is essential for the bottom line of any operation.
Deworming in the fall keeps cattle clean of worms until the grass greens up in the spring and cattle start ingesting worms with the grass they eat. Spring deworming keeps pastures clean of parasites and keeps infection low through the summer. This allows cattle to utilize the grass they eat and have higher feed conversions.
Spring deworming reduces the parasite load in the pasture. In the first six weeks on pasture, cattle pick up worms that have reemerged. The life cycle of most parasites is six weeks. So, when you deworm six weeks after cattle have been turned out, the parasite is killed in its adult stage. This results in manure that is free of sheddings and keeps the pasture from being reinfected.
Calves should be dewormed depending on when the calving season is. Spring calves should be dewormed midway through summer, or approximately six weeks after they begin grazing. For example, if spring calves are dewormed in mid- to late July they will have better feed conversions in the fall.
For feedlots it is important to deworm on an incoming basis. Cement slabs create a more difficult environment for parasites and infection is less likely. By deworming when cattle arrive, parasites are eliminated before they affect performance.
Timely deworming along with fecal testing and pasture management are vital for effective control of internal parasites.
Fecal testing is a valuable tool that provides an accurate assessment of the parasite load; the specific level of worm egg shedding and types of worms present in your herd. Producers can further manage the effectiveness of their deworming program by running fecal samples 7-14 days following treatment to detect any worm resistance to the antiparasiticide used.
Pasture management can also help with parasite control. Rotate cattle through pastures, allowing pastures to rest for 3-4 weeks, to reduce re-infections.
Strategic deworming occurs after spring grazing begins. This spring deworming(s) needs to be given after the cattle have had a chance to graze but before the invading larvae have developed into adult parasites. Grazing cattle begin consuming the larvae as soon as they begin grazing. Within six weeks after ingestion, larvae will have time to reach maturation to an adult and begin laying worm eggs. This is the ideal time when the cattle should be dewormed strategically to prevent worm egg contamination back on the pastures.
Contact ANIMART to find out how we can help create a strategic deworming program specific to the individual needs of your herd.
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