Worming Control Strategies for Cattle

The advice for worming strategies in cattle is very similar to that of sheep with clean grazing, closed herds and rotation of wormer being important.

However, cattle which are bought-in to fatten inside should be treated with a suitable endectocide to remove any worm burden. This will also treat any lice or mange which may be present. Products such as Qualimintic, Cydectin and Dectomax are widely used.

Grazing cattle, especially first year calves, can be protected from a worm burden and build an immunity by dosing with a bolus at turnout. Products such as Autoworm and Panacur are suitable and give protection for the whole of the grazing season. The alternative is to use a long acting pour-on product such as Cydectin which has a dosing interval of 10 weeks. The manufacturers of Cydectin now have a long acting injectable product. Cydectin LA should be administered behind the ear and will offer protection for up to 120 days.

Animals in their second grazing season should be given a suitable wormer either by injection or pour-on. This will need to be re-applied mid season and then again before housing for best results.

Cows have a degree of immunity, but research has shown that dairy cows improve their performance and produce more milk if given an annual treatment with Eprinex which has a zero milk withholding period.

Suckler cows are best treated once a year at housing with an ivermectin based product such as Qualimintic. This will remove any worm burden they may be carrying as well as treating lice and mange.