Overcome parasites at housing: What to look out for and associated costs

Prof Williams says: “Consider whether there is a history of fluke on-farm, whether animals have been grazed in muddy areas where intermediate host mud snails live, or whether cattle have been purchased from fluky areas.

“If this is not the case, treatment is unlikely to be necessary, saving time and money and helping protect the few medicines available to combat this parasite.

“Farmers should discuss product choices with their vet or suitably qualified person as part of their herd health plan, but essentially strategic treatment of at risk animals in winter will help protect pastures in spring.”

Look out for lungworm

LUNGWORM is another issue to be aware of and, after coming across cases recently, Mr Boers urges farmers to be aware of the symptoms due to the speed in which the problem can escalate.

He says: “It is a late summer and early autumn problem and is mostly seen in weaned animals, but can strike quickly. It is mostly seen in weaned animals which are grazed as a mob together.

“Where calves are grazed at foot, they build up immunity slowly, as their mother essentially acts as a hoover, so they are only exposed to small volumes of infective larvae.

“The best method of prevention for lungworm is to vaccinate youngstock by using a live vaccine. This is given as two separate doses at six weeks, then two weeks prior to turn out.

“If lungworm is considered an issue on-farm, it may be advisable to vaccinate prior to the second year at grass.”

WHAT TO LOOK OUT FOR AND ASSOCIATED COSTS

GUT WORMS

REDUCED weight gain, carcase quality and a cost to the immune system of controlling parasites.

Costs have been put at a 30 per cent reduction in growth rate and 30kg difference at finishing for animals with good control at the time of housing.

LICE

ANAEMIA from high burden of sucking lice. Itching leading to less time eating and lying meaning decreased weight gain. It is difficult to quantify, but has been put at a cost of millions of pounds to the UK cattle industry.

LUNGWORM

COUGHING, weight loss and in severe cases death. An average of 1-7 per cent mortality rate, although it is likely sub-clinical infections could be of far greater economic relevance.

FLUKE

REDUCED liveweight gain, treatment costs and a cost to the immune system of controlling parasites. The cost of fluke to the UK industry has been estimated at £23 million, with an extra 80 days to reach slaughter weight costing between £25-£35/head.

Source: Zoetis