The Rural Voice, 1990-08, Page 51ADVICE
PLAN PROGRAM FOR
WORMING CATTLE
The most important time to control
internal parasites in cattle is from the
time the replacement heifer calf is
dropped until she is introduced into the
milking herd. This control includes the
use of correct sanitary procedures, pas-
ture maintenance to destroy infective
stages, and the proper use of effective
anthelmintics.
It is crucial to keep pasture contami-
nation to a minimum in order to prevent
reinfection. Harrow pastures two to five
times each summer and rotate often to
kill larvae. Keep barn contamination
low by cleaning stalls frequently.
Remember that cattle develop par-
tial immunity to worms. The idea is to
expose younger animals to light infesta-
tions to develop immunity. But mixing
younger calves with older animals can
expose them to severe infestations.
Don't mix age groups on pasture.
In the fall, the larvae in the guts
become inhibited. They don't shed eggs
during the cold winter months. In the
spring, the larvae become adults and
shed eggs, contributing to the early rise
in the egg count in May. To prevent this
rise from contaminating the pasture,
worm the cows, and especially the heif-
ers, before they go out.
Once on pasture the cows start eating
any larvae that have overwintered in the
fields. These become egg -shedding
adults in three weeks, causing the July
surge. Worm again three to four weeks
after the cows are on pasture. To make
sure the worming program is working,
manure samples from four to six cattle in
July should be tested by your veterinar-
ian. If egg counts are high, the cattle
should be wormed again.
If egg counts are low two years in a
row, no worming in summer is needed,
but keep having the manure checked in
July to make sure no contamination has
occurred. Repeat worming in the fall.
Cattle in small yards should have the
same program because eggs can de-
velop in the undisturbed manure in the
corners. Worm young cattle at least
once every four months for the first year
of life to control lungworm.0
Bill Schilthuis and Associates
Goderich Veterinary Clinic
HURON COUNTY
PLOWING MATCH
Aug. 30-31, 1990
at the farm of
LIONEL WILDER
Huron County Warden
(south of Varna)
No admission fee
AUG. 30, 1990 Is 4-H SODBUSTERS ACHIEVEMENT DAY
• Coaching — 9:30 a.m.
• Plowing — 2:00 p.m.
PLOWING MATCH FEATURES
• Plowing
• Queen of the Furrow Competition
• Horse Shoe Pitching
• Log Sawing
For further information call
Graham Craig
887-9381
or Claire Diechert
236-4130
AUGUST 1990 47