Pasture Parasites

Pasture Parasites

David Sparks Ph.D.
David Sparks Ph.D.
An online publication named Grazing Lands News, has a discussion about pastureland parasites and how they affect cows weights and fertility. The information comes from an advertiser but it is very worthy of a listen. "Cows that conceive late calve late and that can decrease weaning weights by as much as 40 or more pounds. So managing for conception should not only get cows to breed back but breed back as early as possible. Stabilizing weight is vital. Peak lactation comes approximately 85 days post calving. There is a feed shortfall and loss of body energy stores that take place at that time. But this is also when a cow needs to cycle and settle to stay on schedule for the heaviest calf possible at weaning. Because of these energy shortfalls however, cows are often losing weight at this point. Cows that are losing weight, are 17% less likely to conceive the first service and 14% won't show heat at all. Parasite infections in cows reduce feed efficiency and appetite. Effective parasite control at this time can help stabilize the cows wait so she has the energy to conceive. But that's hard to do because conventional de-wormers only last 14 to 42 days. So even if you treated your cows with a conventional de-wormer when you turned them out, it's no longer working at peak lactation. Only Long Range delivers season long parasite control in a single dose.
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