Efficiency on UK livestock farms is at the forefront of many farmers minds and while this can encompass all areas of farm management and production, there are some easy wins to help make your farm more efficient. 
A recent study1 has shown that worms are costing UK livestock producers £270 million in lost production and treatment expenditure every year.
Worms can affect animal performance by reducing:
- Feed intake
- Growth rates
- Carcase weight
- Fertility
- Milk yield
How can farmers control worms and make their farm more efficient?
The starting point for every farmer should be to understand what the worm risk is on their farm through use of:
- Monitoring weights
- Faecal egg count testing (for worms) or coproantigen testing (for fluke)
- Post-mortems
- Data from abattoirs
Once this is established then a plan can be put in place with your animal health advisor (RAMA) to help manage the risk. Managing the worm burden on farm may be only one part of improving farm efficiency, but it is a vital part. Not managing worm burdens can have negative consequences on cattle growth resulting in further input costs, longer finishing times, poorer meat quality and higher emissions – not to mention the impact on cow welfare.
Speak to your local animal health advisor (RAMA) for further information on the right treatment strategy for your farm.
Responsible use of Medicines
It is important you discuss products and treatment plans with your animal health advisor (RAMA) and choose the product most suitable for your herd and the parasite challenge on your farm. To help prevent resistance it is important to use the product in the correct way and at the correct time.
1 Charlier et al. (2020) Initial assessment of the economic burden of major parasitic helminth infections to the ruminant livestock industry in Europe, Preventive Veterinary Medicine, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.prevetmed.2020.105103
ZERMEX® 100 mg/ml LA Solution for Injection for Cattle (10% LA) contains moxidectin, POM-VPS. May be prescribed by any Registered Qualified Person (RQP – a veterinarian, a pharmacist or an appropriately qualified RAMA). For further information see the SPC, farmers should contact their animal medicines supplier RAMA, veterinary surgeon or Downland Marketing Ltd, Warwick Mill, Warwick Bridge, Carlisle CA4 8RR. Use medicines responsibly: www.noah.co.uk/responsible. MM-25226