{"id":17748,"date":"2025-01-17T15:09:27","date_gmt":"2025-01-17T15:09:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/?p=17748"},"modified":"2026-05-25T08:58:36","modified_gmt":"2026-05-25T08:58:36","slug":"winter-housing-parasite-control","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/herdwatch.com\/en-uk\/blog\/winter-housing-parasite-control\/","title":{"rendered":"Winter housing: A crucial time for parasite control"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Farmer Guide<\/div>\n\n

Parasite control in cattle: what to watch for and how to stay on top of it<\/h1>\n\n

\n Effective parasite management is essential for maintaining cattle health, growth, and overall farm performance.\n From lungworm to lice, early identification and timely treatment can help reduce losses and support stronger herd productivity.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Cattle health<\/span>\n Parasite control<\/span>\n Medicine records<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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\n 1<\/span>\n Parasites can reduce growth and performance<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 2<\/span>\n Youngstock are often at greater risk<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 3<\/span>\n Targeted treatment helps improve outcomes<\/span>\n <\/div>\n
\n 4<\/span>\n Accurate records support compliance and herd health<\/span>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Why parasite control matters<\/h2>\n\n

\n Effective parasite management is a key part of maintaining cattle health and farm performance.\n While good nutrition is essential, parasites can severely impact growth, feed efficiency, and productivity.\n In more severe cases, a high parasite burden can lead to serious health problems or even death.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n A strong parasite control plan helps reduce these risks and supports better cattle performance throughout the year.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n \u201cEarly monitoring, targeted treatment, and accurate records are key to keeping parasite problems under control.\u201d\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Five key parasites to monitor in cattle<\/h2>\n\n

\n Different parasites affect cattle in different ways, so it is important to understand the risks and use the right treatment\n at the right time.\n <\/p>\n\n

1. Lungworms<\/h3>\n

\n Lungworms can infect the airways of cattle and cause parasitic bronchitis. Young cattle often lack the immunity\n needed to combat these parasites effectively, making regular monitoring especially important.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Prompt treatment can help prevent severe lung infections. It is important to know which stage of worm you are targeting\n before administering an oral drench.\n <\/p>\n\n

2. Stomach worms<\/h3>\n

\n Stomach worms are a type of roundworm that live in the cow\u2019s fourth stomach, or abomasum.\n Young cattle have little resistance to stomach worms and should be treated as a priority where parasite burden is present.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Although adult cattle over two years of age may build up a level of natural immunity, high stomach worm burdens\n in older cattle are still not uncommon and can result in weight loss, reduced appetite, and poor thrive.\n <\/p>\n\n

3. Liver fluke<\/h3>\n

\n Liver fluke can cause significant liver damage and affect the overall health and productivity of the herd.\n Infection risk can remain high where grazing conditions favour fluke, and it is important to know which stage\n of fluke you are treating.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Timing treatment correctly is important if you want to target early immature, immature, and adult flukes effectively.\n <\/p>\n\n

4. Biting and sucking lice<\/h3>\n

\n Lice infestations can cause discomfort and stress in cattle, leading to reduced feed efficiency and poorer growth rates.\n Scratching and hair loss are often early signs.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Treating with a suitable pour-on product is often effective for both biting and sucking lice.\n Clipping backs and tails can also help reduce cover for parasites, minimise sweating, and keep animals cleaner.\n <\/p>\n\n

5. Mites<\/h3>\n

\n Mites can cause skin irritation and other health problems in cattle. Identifying and treating mite infestations quickly\n is important for maintaining overall herd health.\n <\/p>\n\n

\n Pour-on products are commonly used, and it is important to treat all animals in the herd.\n After treatment, animals should ideally be moved to clean housing that has not been used by cattle for at least three weeks.\n <\/p>\n <\/div>\n\n

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Building an effective parasite control plan<\/h2>\n\n

\n Having a robust parasite control plan in place is vital to ensuring cattle perform at their best.\n This should include regular health checks, strategic deworming, and treatments tailored to your herd\u2019s specific needs.\n <\/p>\n\n