In autumn, farmers face the challenge of managing cow condition and both internal and external parasites in the herd.
Selecting a broad spectrum drench as part of your farm’s comprehensive parasite management programme is essential for controlling parasites in dairy cows and young stock.
Why autumn?
Survival and development of parasite larvae is optimal in warm wet conditions, i.e. autumn. As pasture quality and quantity decreases, animals can pick up more larvae. Effective parasite management during this period ensures cattle maintain good health and productivity.
What is effective parasite management? It’s a combination of using the right product (that’s effective on your parasites) on the right stock at the right time and using other management tools to minimise parasite loads on pasture and uptake into susceptible stock. These tools are easily remembered as “Be A.R.M.M.E.D.”
A - Avoid the parasites
Susceptible stock should be given the best quality and quantity of feed. If they aren’t forced to graze into the bottom 5cm of the sward, they won’t pick up as many larvae. Graze susceptible stock (calves, sick or poor condition cows) on pastures that have been harvested for silage or vacuumed by more robust adult stock or on crops (i.e. those that will likely have fewer larvae).
R - Remove the parasites
Use older healthy stock to clean pastures, as they are generally net removers of larvae, whereas calves have low immunity at this age and produce more viable eggs. Larvae can also be removed via silage, hay, using other stock such as sheep (on run-offs), and re-grassing. Spelling pasture for a few months does not reduce the larvae as they can survive for 12 months or more.
M - Manage refugia
This means only treat the animals that need it. For adult cows there is no recipe for accurately identifying which cows to treat, however, younger cows, those in poor condition, or those that have been sick with mastitis or lameness would be worthy candidates as their immunity is likely to be compromised. Healthy, good condition cows should not need a parasite treatment and are a form of refugia. The key point is to not blanket treat the herd unless it is absolutely necessary. For calves, autumn can be a dangerous time for parasites, but those animals that are ahead of growth targets, doing well and are on good feed, could skip a drench.
M - Monitoring
Faecal egg counts (FECs) can be done in calves up to the first winter. Use weighing and animal and pasture assessment to help guide need for treatment, rather than just relying on the calendar.
E D - Use an effective drench
Drench resistant cattle parasites are being reported with increasing frequency1,2 so using a drench that is proven to work, ideally against your parasites is key. Ostertagia can kill calves and even older animals. Cooperia mainly affect calves under 12-months causing weight loss, ill-thrift, and in heavy infections, death.
Cydectin® Pour-On has been proven to be highly effective both in clinical trials and in recent field studies3 against Ostertagia. It kills existing parasites on board, and also prevents incoming larvae from to 35 days and up to 42 days against lung worm. As there is widespread Cooperia resistance to all the ‘mectin’ family, a product containing levamisole is best used for this parasite. An oral can be given at the same time as Cydectin® Pour-On, if persistence against other parasites is needed.
Cydectin® Pour-On has nil milk, meat and bobby calf withholding periods so can be used any time, including before dry off. It’s rainfast so will still be effective if it rains after application. For cows that are lousy, it kills biting and sucking lice. This broad-spectrum efficacy makes it an ideal choice for comprehensive parasite control.
Cydectin® Pour-On is a valuable tool to help manage parasites. Its broad-spectrum efficacy, persistent activity and zero withholdings make it an ideal choice for both dairy cows and young stock. By integrating it into a comprehensive parasite management programme, you can ensure your cattle remain healthy and productive. establishing, protecting cattle for up to 35 days and up to 42 days against lung worm. As there is widespread Cooperia resistance to all the ‘mectin’ family, a product containing levamisole is best used for this parasite. An oral can be given at the same time as Cydectin® Pour-On, if persistence against other parasites is needed.
Cydectin® Pour-On has nil milk, meat and bobby calf withholding periods so can be used any time, including before dry off. It’s rainfast so will still be effective if it rains after application. For cows that are lousy, it kills biting and sucking lice. This broad-spectrum efficacy makes it an ideal choice for comprehensive parasite control.
Cydectin® Pour-On is a valuable tool to help manage parasites. Its broad-spectrum efficacy, persistent activity and zero withholdings make it an ideal choice for both dairy cows and young stock. By integrating it into a comprehensive parasite management programme, you can ensure your cattle remain healthy and productive.
For more information, consult with your local TSR for tailored parasite control.
1 - Wormwise.
2 - Sauermann C, Waghorn T, Miller C, Leathwick D. Simultaneous resistance to multiple anthelmintic classes in nematode parasites of cattle in New Zealand. Veterinary Parasitology 2024.
3 - Leathwick D, Miller C. Efficacy of oral, injectable and pour-on formulations of moxidectin against gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle in New Zealand. Veterinary Parasitology 2012.
Cydectin is a registered trade mark of Zoetis. ACVM No. A6203.