Internal parasites can dramatically alter how an animal’s immune system functions, weakening its ability to respond to preventive health protocols like vaccinations.

In order to have healthy animals, producers must understand the normal health attributes of livestock, routinely monitor their animals and make management changes when necessary.

As we approach midsummer, there are important reasons to consider deworming. Almost immediately after cattle are turned out on contaminated green grass, they begin picking up parasites that can start doing damage in a very short time.

Summer is here, and that means cattle are grazing, and with it, dealing with parasites. Deworming is a herd management practice that can yield a significant return on investment.

A national survey¹ of beef cattle producers and beef cattle-focused veterinarians was conducted to understand awareness, experience, and level of concern about parasite resistance among producers and veterinarians. The survey also looked at parasite resistance identification, treatment plans, potential barriers and opportunities to develop parasite control strategies.

Cattle producers invest their time and resources in the best vaccination protocols and nutritional programs. However, these efforts are not fully utilized without an effective deworming strategy. Why? 

Using parasiticides in cattle without considering the active ingredients in those products presents dangers for an operation. Using different parasiticide active ingredients can extend the effectiveness of parasite control products and play a significant role in the management of healthier cattle.

You may have heard about parasite resistance before, but what makes it a topic worth talking about? Understanding the what, why and how of the issue can help to ensure your operation has a successful deworming program for many years to come.