A veterinarian says now is a good time to think about spring deworming options.
Dr. Dan Cummings with Boehringer Ingelheim says being prepared for the upcoming parasite season can set your operation up for long-term success. He talks about things producers need to consider when choosing a deworming product.
?I think working with a veterinarian is paramount. They need to have a relationship with that veterinarian that knows what the parasite challenges are going to be on their individual operation so that they can tailor their program and their deworming strategies toward what their challenges are. Some other thoughts are timing and where we are in the system within their productive lifestyle or lifespan, if you will, of the operation and what’s going on there. So, if I’m sending cattle out to pasture, there should be a consideration for an extended-release dewormer that offers up to 150 days of parasite control because most grazing seasons are typically 150 days, maybe more, depending on rainfall, moisture, forage height, etc. But controlling parasites for that length of a period can become quite beneficial for an operation and unfortunately, most conventional dewormers only offer protection anywhere from two maybe out to 40-or-so days depending on the product. The veterinarian will be able to help answer those questions and determine what product fits the best for their system.?
Cummings says extended duration dewormers offer significant benefits.
?We sometimes will see some hesitation in choosing a product that?s extended-release simply because producers may not look at that as a long-term investment and so they may be a little bit hesitant about investment in that type of product. But what we found is there are significant payoffs: cattle will better utilize forage and other resources so ultimately those calves that are going to grass in that situation with an extended-release product, we’re controlling parasites, and we’re going to see improved weight gain. When we look at extended-release products and controlling parasites for up to 150 days, we don’t have to bring those cattle back in from pasture for additional deworming to control parasites. And then, of course, for the cattle. They don?t have the added stress of reapplication and additional processing events. We’ve seen some improvement in reproductive efficiency in replacement heifers with extended-release products.?
Learn more by visiting boehringer-ingelheim.com.
