Cattle farmers should ensure their approach to treating young stock for roundworms (Ostertagia and Cooperia) is sustainable, so that resistance to worming products does not develop says farm vet Thomas Searle.
Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) have recently updated its guide on roundworm control, noting that treatment to autumn-born and spring-born calves within three weeks of turnout will prevent a peak of infective larvae on pastures in mid-summer.
Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC), a partner in COWS, is encouraging pro-active flock and herd health management through the Stoc+ project, which is one strand of the Red Meat Development Programme (RMDP), a five-year Welsh Government and European Union-funded initiative aiming to enhance the red meat sector in Wales.
The Stoc+ project has a number of farm and vet ambassadors on board to support the project, including Thomas Searle from South Wales Farm Veterinary Practice in Rhondda Cynon Tâf.
“When nutrition is good and no other diseases are present, gastro-intestinal worms are the main factor in determining growth rate at grass,”
Says Mr Searle.
“Therefore, to control, animals should be weighed regularly and only treat the ones that aren’t growing as expected. This will reduce the overall treatment and instil immunity in those not treated.”
Mr Searle continues:
“This optimum approach can be used in combination with the availability of and the grazing history of the pasture.
“We understand that it is sometimes hard to avoid turning out to contaminated grass. In these cases, the animals may benefit from treatment pre-turnout with options including a bolus or long-acting macrocyclic lactone (ML). It is advised to speak to the farm vet on which option would be best for the farm.
“Farmers with more flexibility in their pasture rotation may be able to monitor growth, by weighing beef cattle or measuring the frame size of heifers, and only treat if growth is falling behind the expected target.”
HCC Flock and Herd Health Executive, Dr. Rebekah Stuart supports the updated guidance:
“Farmers are advised to set up a herd health plan at the start of the grazing season if one is not already in place and to review this frequently to monitor parasite risk.
“Talk to your vet about the most appropriate products to use and remember to refer to the COWS five ‘Rs’ – use the right product, at the right dose rate, on the right animal, at the right time and in the right way.”
More information can be found on controlling roundworms this grazing season on COWS website.
Stoc+ is supported by the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014 – 2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.