DULUTH, Ga. — The risk of parasites during the grazing season can loom the whole summer, but most deworming products are unable to provide protection for the entire duration. Knowing what products are available, and choosing the right product for the season, are important for herd production and growth potential.
“If you’re going to have cattle grazing for an extended period, then you’re definitely going to want long-term protection against parasites,” said Lee Jones, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. Over the course of the grazing season, an extended-release injectable dewormer can do just that — giving cattle the ability to use feed more efficiently and ultimately gain more weight, day in and day out.¹
Secure the advantage of an extended-release dewormer
“Oral dewormers, or purge dewormers, are in and out of the system within a few days, and are typically used at the end of the grazing season, when an animal is less likely to be reinfected,” explained Dr. Jones. “And our pour-ons and regular injectables will give us about 30 days of control.” There is a time and a place for each of these dewormers, but when cattle are out on pasture for months at a time, it is important to find a product that can provide long-term control.
The technology of an extended-release injectable dewormer can provide coverage for up to 150 days¹ in one dose. This lengthened protection improves reproduction, shortens calving intervals, earns higher average daily gains and leads to heavier calves at weaning.²⎺³
“When I introduce an extended-release dewormer to producers, the first thing they talk about is the cost,” shared Dr. Jones. “It does cost more, but everything we do in the cattle business is an economic decision. Although the up-front cost might make a producer second-guess the purchase, the lower stress and added calf weight gain provide a significant payoff.”
Switching dewormers is a big decision, and might be difficult to justify without running some numbers. Dr. Jones invites producers and veterinarians to use an investment calculator to see a detailed estimate of what can be gained by using an extended-release injectable dewormer. Calculator versions for cow-calf and stocker operations are available online at longrangecalculator.com and longrangecalculator.com/stocker, respectively.
Get the most out of your deworming program
“There are several things that we recommend producers do to get the most out of their deworming program,” said Dr. Jones. “One is to always monitor the effectiveness of whatever you do with diagnostic testing.”
There are a few tests that can evaluate the efficacy of any deworming program:
- A fecal egg count reduction test, or FECRT, is a standardized diagnostic tool that can help evaluate the efficacy of your deworming products. Typically, a 90% or greater reduction in the fecal egg count indicates that your dewormer is performing the way it’s supposed to.
- A coproculture can help find the species of parasites most prevalent within the herd, so you can implement a targeted approach to parasite control.
It’s also difficult for the dewormer to do its job if not administered correctly. Read the label to be certain the product is stored correctly, the dose you’re administering is accurate for the weight of animal you’re treating, and that your equipment is properly functioning prior to treating the animals.
Every producer’s situation is unique, and no two farms have the same parasite burdens. Dr. Jones recommends working with your veterinarian to build the best deworming protocol for your operation. They can help evaluate your operation’s needs, and recommend a deworming protocol and product(s) based on the findings. Your grazing season period, the age and class of your animals, your operation type and the grazing history of the pasture are all considerations to discuss.
LONGRANGE IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not treat within 48 days of slaughter. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows, or in veal calves. Post-injection site damage (e.g., granulomas, necrosis) can occur. These reactions have disappeared without treatment. Not for use in breeding bulls, or in calves less than 3 months of age. Not for use in cattle managed in feedlots or under intensive rotational grazing. Pregnant women should wear gloves and exercise caution or avoid handling this product.
About Boehringer Ingelheim
Boehringer Ingelheim provides innovation for preventing and treating diseases in animals. The company offers a wide range of vaccines, parasite-control products, and medicines for pets, horses, and livestock to veterinarians, animal owners, farmers, and governments. As a leader in animal health, Boehringer Ingelheim values that the health of humans and animals is deeply connected and strives to make a difference for people, animals, and society. Learn more at www.bi-animalhealth.com
LONGRANGE® is a registered trademark of Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc. ©2024 Boehringer Ingelheim Animal Health USA Inc., Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. US-BOV-0180-2024A
References:
¹ Dependent upon parasite species, as referenced in FOI summary and LongRange® (eprinomectin) product label claims.
² Rademacher RD, Behlke EJ, Parr SL, et al. An evaluation of eprinomectin extended-release injectable (LONGRANGE) on the performance of yearling cattle on pasture in western Canada. Bov Pract 2018;52(1):46–52.
³ Andresen CE, Loy DD, Brick TA, Gunn PJ. Case study: Effects of extended-release eprinomectin on cow-calf performance and reproductive success in a fall-calving beef herd. Prof Anim Sci 2018;34(2):223–229.
–Boehringer Ingelheim
