07 July 2022
Controlling parasitic infection and pneumonia in growing and finishing beef cattle
The control of parasites is essential for good herd heath. An optimal herd health programme should be designed to prevent major disease. Respiratory disease & internal parasites are among the main health concerns. Researcher Orla Keane discusses the importance of sustainable parasite control.
In suckler herds, calves generally remain with the cows at pasture until they are weaned between six and nine months old. In addition to removal from the cow, the weaning procedure may be compounded by other stressors occurring around the same time, e.g.
- change of diet – grass and milk to conserved feed with or without concentrates
- change of environment – outdoors to indoors
- transport/marketing.
An optimal herd health programme should be designed to prevent major disease. It is important to consult with a veterinary practitioner prior to weaning and/or purchase of finishing cattle to discuss the prevalent diseases and associated risks specific to the farm. Respiratory disease (pneumonia) and internal parasites (stomach worms, lungworm (hoose) and fluke are among the main health concerns affecting weanlings and older cattle
Summary
- An optimal herd health programme should be designed to prevent major disease and it is important to consult with a veterinary practitioner in this regard.
- Parasite control programmes, encompassing internal parasites and ectoparasites should be developed.
- Anthelmintics from different classes have different modes of action but within a class products share the same mode of action.
- When resistance develops to one product within a class all the products in the same class are often affected.
- Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is a multifactorial disease and involves a wide variety of infectious agents.
- The key to preventing respiratory disease is to reduce stress and to vaccinate against viruses and bacteria that cause disease
Read about managing herd health