Agricultural News
LONGRANGE is New Deworming Option as Cattlemen Deal with Drought Issues
Mon, 28 Jan 2013 16:44:22 CST
Drought conditions are persisting across most of cattle country, and it is very important for producers to pay close attention to their parasite control practices says Dr. Joe Dedrickson of Merial Animal Health.
"This is one misconception that a lot of producers have that when it's real hot and dry that they don't have to worry about parasites. Parasites have the ability to move down under the soil in severe conditions like that and survive for long times. And just a little bit of rain, it seems like not much at all, it shows a little bit of growth, and they're back up there. And what it tends to do is concentrate them because the grass is so much shorter that you're getting to the parasites so much easier. So, parasite management in drought times is very important."
Dedrickson said it's not just the parasites that cause obvious symptoms like diarrhea, rough hair coat and the like that are worrisome. It's the parasites that cause lack of efficiency and decreased resistance to disease that can rob producers of profits before they know it.
"Right now at $2 a pound on calves, every pound that we reduce weaning weight is a pretty significant loss."
Parasites can also lower conception rates in cows, Dedrickson said, so it is crucial that producers stay current with their parasite management programs during times of drought.
Dedrickson said his company, Merial, has come up with a new prescription dewormer, LONGRANGE. One subcutaneous injection results in anti-parasite action for 100 to 150 days.
"This is long enough to break the parasite lifecycle on grass and effectively reduce those parasite burdens on the pasture," Dedrickson said.
He said the most advantageous time for producers to use LONGRANGE is during the peak times of parasite transmission.
"In most parts of the country, that's in the spring when the grass greens up. That's when you're parasites move up out of the soil where they've been over the winter or drought time. When that grass starts greening up and growing, that's when you have the highest parasite transmission. So, in the spring at turnout or when the grass is greening up is your optimum time. In many parts of the country, that will give you coverage for the entire grazing season."
Dedrickson said LONGRANGE is now available all across the country.
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