With the arrival of November and some colder weather, many farmers will be starting to think about the coming winter and how to care for their animals. There is a lot to think about, including how to ensure they have protection from the conditions and continue to get all the nutrients they need. It’s also vital to think about worms. We want to have a closer look at that here and the importance of using wormer correctly in the future.
Don’t rely on the weather
Some people mistakenly think that the winter cold will kill worms on farms and in animals. However, that’s sadly not the case. If it was, we wouldn’t have problems in warmer months.
When it gets cold, worms can enter a dormant state in the animals. As a result, they can overwinter inside them and then become active again when it gets warmer. Worm larvae may also be able to survive winters on pastures, especially if they have some kind of insulation from the worst of the cold. They can be surprisingly hardy, ready to begin causing problems at turnout.
What to do?
There are a couple of crucial things you should do to protect animals from worms. It’s very important in spring after a long winter because most herds won’t be in the ideal condition to fight off parasites. You may need a wormer to help give them the best start for the new season.
One thing you should do though is be proactive with pasture maintenance and testing. Faecal egg count tests are a good idea to get an idea of the burden. They can tell you how many worm eggs are in dung on the pasture. This will inform you of the best course of action going forward. Clearing pastures is a good idea too, ensuring they are as clean as possible for turnout. Or, use a pasture that hasn’t had animals on it recently.
It can also be a good idea to utilise a wormer before or at turnout. It can kill susceptible parasites within the animals and provide protection for the first few weeks on pasture. It’s generally a good idea to use a blanket product that can kill different worms and flukes. Injectable or pour-on versions are available. Crucially, ensure you dose every animal properly to match their weight.
A crucial thing to remember is parasites can cause big losses for farmers. The estimate is they are responsible for billions of pounds of loss every year. This includes from poor feed conversion, lower weight gains, and disease.
Talk to us about wormer
Wormers are a really useful product for farmers, but it is important to use them correctly. Misuse can cause serious problems, including building resistance in parasites. Therefore, it is vital to carefully consider when you need to use them and how to get the best results. Talking to a vet and utilising testing is really important.
JS Hubbuck Ltd is happy to help if you’re trying to decide what is best for your animals. We can provide details about different types of wormer and best practice for using them. Then, if you want to order, we can arrange delivery. So, get in touch today and get a friendly, professional service from a passionate family company.