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.

It’s really important to make a conscious effort to analyze this past year’s herd health and objectively reflect on what worked and what didn't. Doing so will help guide decisions for an even better year ahead and maximize the success of your operation from an animal health perspective.

What are cows doing if parasites are hanging around? Certainly not what they’re supposed to be doing. External parasites can affect a cow’s milk production immediately, because cows will spend their time scratching instead of eating or resting.

And just like that, it’s time for fall processing. Let’s look closely at what we’ll need to give our weaning-aged calves a leg up on their next stage of life, starting with vaccination strategy, implants and deworming.

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? 

While word may travel fast, change can sometimes happen a bit slower. Such is the case with rotational deworming – an outdated approach that is still used today, albeit less, as studies indicate.

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.