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Parasitic threats to grazing cattle

cattle grazing-keya paha county 6-13

An animal health expert is warning producers turning cattle to pasture that parasites from the grass can cause economic harm.

Dr. Harold Newcomb with Merck Animal Health says for grazing livestock, there’s really no avoiding the problem.

“From the day that animal takes its first bite of grass to the day it takes its last, it will always have to deal with parasites.  And when we think about this, we need to consider what the parasites are doing to the animal.”

He tells Brownfield several studies over a broad area prove parasites negatively impact feed intake, and says proper management is key.

“If you looked at the benefits of strategically worming or trying to keep the parasite burden low in the pasture, we found that it came back in about an extra 30 pounds of lean weight.”

Lindsay recommends working with a veterinarian to develop a deworming program and make sure herd vaccinations are in order ahead of breeding season.

 

 

 

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