Control intestinal parasites before Summer hits, even in time of drought.
Announcement posted by Virbac Australia Pty Ltd 30 Aug 2018
Internal parasite infestation has been found to be one of the most significant diseases faced by red meat producers in Australia.
According to a recent MLA research project, it’s estimated that internal parasites cost the southern beef industry $82 million per year in lost productivity and treatment[1].
For beef producer Chris Croker, who runs a 2,000 acre property in NSW, the economic impact is all too evident: “Our Hereford cattle are more prone to parasite issues. Round worms and liver fluke are the two main parasites, and they’ve previously caused all kinds of problems with fertility and weight loss, which has impacted our bottom line.”
For Chris and cattle producers across the southern beef industry, the most damaging worm species is the Small brown stomach worm (Ostertagia ostertagi), which can have a significant impact on growth rates, health, fertility and milk production by reducing appetite, even in animals that appear healthy. A particularly heavy infestation can cause damage to the fourth stomach, as well as diarrhoea, susceptibility to other diseases and even death.
High worm burdens are likely to occur on farms with irrigation and in regions with high rainfall (more than 500-600mm), however drought effected areas can also increase the risk of internal parasites due to grazing behaviour. In dry conditions when there’s less forage to eat, cows will tend to eat the emerging grass next to dung pads which may be infested with larvae. Livestock grazing of short pastures, high stocking rates and set stock grazing situations can also create ideal conditions for worms. Worms can also be more prevalent in young animals, especially after weaning. In summer and autumn or during calving or nutritional stress, infection can lead to a higher risk of herd diseases like type 2 ostertagiasis.
The infection risks for bulls are also higher, because bulls have lower immunity to gastrointestinal parasites than steers. And varying weather also plays a role, with hot, humid conditions being ideal for Barber's pole worm, while high winter rainfall can increase the prevalence of Black scour worm and Small brown stomach worm larvae.
Virbac Technical Services Manager Susan Swaney describes the key indicators for identifying and diagnosing worms in cattle. “Farmers should look for a history of poor performance, with lower growth rates than expected based on known pasture availability and quality. There are also clinical signs, which can include scouring, weight loss and pale gums and membranes around the eyes, as well as weakness, lethargy or bottle jaw.”
Nonetheless, worm faecal egg counts, larval cultures and blood tests for pepsinogen remain the best indicators of worm infection. Dr Swaney explains why. “Knowledge is power, so it’s really important to know which of the important worms types your farm is prone to, and to monitor the worm status of your younger animals regularly, especially during high risk seasons. That way you can be sure they’re eliminated if proven to be a problem.”
Dr Swaney also suggests requesting an animal health statement when purchasing stock. “That way you’re clear on the stock vendor’s level of assurance concerning their disease status.” And “a strategic drenching program, which includes an effective quarantine drench of all new arrivals, is one more essential component of a successful farm management plan,” she adds.
For beef producer Chris, non-chemical management methods mixed with Cydectin Long Acting Injection for Cattle are important. Chris highlights the benefits of Cydectin Long Acting Injection are two-fold: “I’ve used it since it came onto the market, mainly because of the longer-lasting results compared to other products I’ve tried. Its longevity means I’m often able to cut out any second round worm drench, especially for younger stock,” he explains. There are also advantages when it comes to performance. “There’s no doubt that Cydectin helps with weight gain when given strategically, because when an animal is worm-free, 100% of the nutrients are being used by the animal,” he explains.
Using Cydectin Long Acting last spring, Chris reports that it contributed to a weight gain of perhaps as much as 30kg more across 100 days. “Essentially the end results as I see them are stronger weight gain, glossier coats and much better overall health… and that can obviously have a great impact when it’s time to sell the stock,” he adds.
The treatment itself has been formulated to be effective against internal parasites like Barbers pole, small brown stomach worm, lung worm, hook worm and whip worm – and the results of recent trials indicate big gains for farmers who use Cydectin Long Acting. Field trials across 24 farms throughout Australia found that on average, cattle treated with Cydectin Long Acting Injection gained an extra 8 kg (10.5%) compared with those treated with doramectin injectable[2].
In an added bonus, the treatment has no known effect on dung beetles, demonstrated to have zero impact on larvae or adult beetle emergence. And while some farmers say that pour-on drenches are easier to administer, for farmer Chris the benefits far outweigh the nominal increase in labour time. “Administering this product in my view is not much different from giving an oral drench. It’s just a case of catching your stock in a head bale and injecting behind the ear. Perhaps a pour-on is easier, but for me they're less effective and so the results will be different.”
Virbac Australia’s Dr Swaney has one last word of advice. “Make sure you’re feeding your animals, not their parasites. If you can treat when conditions favour worms or impact a herd’s ability to cope with infestations – especially during drought or times of restricted access to feed – the economic benefits can be significant.”
Farmers are encouraged to talk to their local rural supplier to find out why there’s nothing like Cydectin LA.
For more information, visit au.virbac.com.
Ends
Media Enquiries:
Kate Munsie - C7EVEN COMMUNICATIONS
(02) 6766 4513
kate.munsie@c7even.com.au
Photo captions:
According to a recent MLA research project, it’s estimated that internal parasites cost the southern beef industry $82 million per year in lost productivity and treatment[1].
For beef producer Chris Croker, who runs a 2,000 acre property in NSW, the economic impact is all too evident: “Our Hereford cattle are more prone to parasite issues. Round worms and liver fluke are the two main parasites, and they’ve previously caused all kinds of problems with fertility and weight loss, which has impacted our bottom line.”
For Chris and cattle producers across the southern beef industry, the most damaging worm species is the Small brown stomach worm (Ostertagia ostertagi), which can have a significant impact on growth rates, health, fertility and milk production by reducing appetite, even in animals that appear healthy. A particularly heavy infestation can cause damage to the fourth stomach, as well as diarrhoea, susceptibility to other diseases and even death.
High worm burdens are likely to occur on farms with irrigation and in regions with high rainfall (more than 500-600mm), however drought effected areas can also increase the risk of internal parasites due to grazing behaviour. In dry conditions when there’s less forage to eat, cows will tend to eat the emerging grass next to dung pads which may be infested with larvae. Livestock grazing of short pastures, high stocking rates and set stock grazing situations can also create ideal conditions for worms. Worms can also be more prevalent in young animals, especially after weaning. In summer and autumn or during calving or nutritional stress, infection can lead to a higher risk of herd diseases like type 2 ostertagiasis.
The infection risks for bulls are also higher, because bulls have lower immunity to gastrointestinal parasites than steers. And varying weather also plays a role, with hot, humid conditions being ideal for Barber's pole worm, while high winter rainfall can increase the prevalence of Black scour worm and Small brown stomach worm larvae.
Virbac Technical Services Manager Susan Swaney describes the key indicators for identifying and diagnosing worms in cattle. “Farmers should look for a history of poor performance, with lower growth rates than expected based on known pasture availability and quality. There are also clinical signs, which can include scouring, weight loss and pale gums and membranes around the eyes, as well as weakness, lethargy or bottle jaw.”
Nonetheless, worm faecal egg counts, larval cultures and blood tests for pepsinogen remain the best indicators of worm infection. Dr Swaney explains why. “Knowledge is power, so it’s really important to know which of the important worms types your farm is prone to, and to monitor the worm status of your younger animals regularly, especially during high risk seasons. That way you can be sure they’re eliminated if proven to be a problem.”
Dr Swaney also suggests requesting an animal health statement when purchasing stock. “That way you’re clear on the stock vendor’s level of assurance concerning their disease status.” And “a strategic drenching program, which includes an effective quarantine drench of all new arrivals, is one more essential component of a successful farm management plan,” she adds.
For beef producer Chris, non-chemical management methods mixed with Cydectin Long Acting Injection for Cattle are important. Chris highlights the benefits of Cydectin Long Acting Injection are two-fold: “I’ve used it since it came onto the market, mainly because of the longer-lasting results compared to other products I’ve tried. Its longevity means I’m often able to cut out any second round worm drench, especially for younger stock,” he explains. There are also advantages when it comes to performance. “There’s no doubt that Cydectin helps with weight gain when given strategically, because when an animal is worm-free, 100% of the nutrients are being used by the animal,” he explains.
Using Cydectin Long Acting last spring, Chris reports that it contributed to a weight gain of perhaps as much as 30kg more across 100 days. “Essentially the end results as I see them are stronger weight gain, glossier coats and much better overall health… and that can obviously have a great impact when it’s time to sell the stock,” he adds.
The treatment itself has been formulated to be effective against internal parasites like Barbers pole, small brown stomach worm, lung worm, hook worm and whip worm – and the results of recent trials indicate big gains for farmers who use Cydectin Long Acting. Field trials across 24 farms throughout Australia found that on average, cattle treated with Cydectin Long Acting Injection gained an extra 8 kg (10.5%) compared with those treated with doramectin injectable[2].
In an added bonus, the treatment has no known effect on dung beetles, demonstrated to have zero impact on larvae or adult beetle emergence. And while some farmers say that pour-on drenches are easier to administer, for farmer Chris the benefits far outweigh the nominal increase in labour time. “Administering this product in my view is not much different from giving an oral drench. It’s just a case of catching your stock in a head bale and injecting behind the ear. Perhaps a pour-on is easier, but for me they're less effective and so the results will be different.”
Virbac Australia’s Dr Swaney has one last word of advice. “Make sure you’re feeding your animals, not their parasites. If you can treat when conditions favour worms or impact a herd’s ability to cope with infestations – especially during drought or times of restricted access to feed – the economic benefits can be significant.”
Farmers are encouraged to talk to their local rural supplier to find out why there’s nothing like Cydectin LA.
For more information, visit au.virbac.com.
Ends
Media Enquiries:
Kate Munsie - C7EVEN COMMUNICATIONS
(02) 6766 4513
kate.munsie@c7even.com.au
Photo captions:
- Beef producer Chris Croker
- Virbac Technical Services Manager Susan Swaney
- Hereford cattle