Cattle growth potential lost by worming too late

Nearly a third of UK beef producers are waiting until mid-grazing season before worming their cattle, missing out on crucial growth potential, a recent survey shows.

The survey of 2500 producers, with 716,000 head of beef cattle, was carried out independently on behalf of Pfizer Animal Health. “That’s 30% who don”t employ preventative measures at turnout,” says product manager Alan Powell.

The results also show 32% used a strategic worming programme – either doramectin 0-8 or ivomectin 3-8-13. A further 38% use a bolus. Of those using pour-ons, only 33% gave a dose at turnout, with 52% giving a dose mid-season and 70% dosing at housing.

By not worming at turnout, Pfizer vet Ben Lacey says producers are missing out on growth potential and, effectively, profit. “Using a long-acting product, such as Dectomax, in a strategic programme prevents gastrointestinal worms and lungworm for the entire grazing season.”

This occurs by preventing a build up of worm eggs and larvae on the pasture in the first half of the grazing season. “Waiting until mid-season to dose reduces worm population at a slower rate.

“By waiting until mid-season to dose youngstock, production losses could already have occurred, which may delay time to get cattle ready to appropriate weights.”

Dectomax given at nought weeks at turnout and a further eight weeks was favoured by 39% of farmers surveyed. Mr Lacey says the eight-week interval of Dectomax includes five weeks” activity against the stomach worm Ostertagia as well as a three-week lifecycle of the worm. “Some exposure to immature worms is allowed for immunity to build up, without allowing pasture contamination with worm eggs.”

chrissie.lawrence@rbi.co.uk