Managing anthelmintic resistance through the responsible use of cattle wormers was the key take home message at a recent AHDB Beef and Lamb and Control of Worms Sustainably (COWS) farmer meeting.

Guest speakers at the event spoke on the importance of understanding the lifecycle of cattle parasites, and managing parasitic challenges responsibly through grazing management strategies and the targeted use of wormers, taking into account different farm systems.

Dr John Graham-Brown, from the University of Liverpool, said: "Selecting for anthelmintic resistance of cattle parasites is inevitable, this doesn’t mean we’re doomed, but it’s why initiatives such as COWS are so important to ensure the sustainable use of anthelmintics.

“The lifecycle of gutworms, lungworms and liver fluke mean that infected cattle will excrete infective eggs and larvae contaminating pastures. "Consequently, there is a risk of animals being re-infected or youngstock in their first grazing season being exposed to high worm burdens, if this is not managed effectively.

“Controlling worm burdens via anthelmintics is often necessary.

"However, when we continue to use the same product repeatedly, for the same reason year-on-year, levels of worms with a gene that makes them resistant to said wormer will increase, hence wormers become less effective over time.

“Unfortunately, it’s not something that can be avoided, but it’s something the cattle industry can reduce and control to ensure resistance doesn’t become unmanageable.

“If we work collectively as an industry, we can stay one step ahead of resistance."

Also speaking at the event, veterinary surgeon Rachel Hayton of Synergy Farm Health, spoke of the importance of using wormers responsibly, but also looking at grazing management strategies to help reduce the challenge and impact of cattle parasites in the first place.

She said: "In beef cattle gut worms are very common, and something I frequently diagnose.

"It’s a common cause of poor performing animals and one which can be very costly if left untreated.

“When it comes to controlling parasites, it’s important to consider a holistic approach.

"For example, recent research has proven that grassland management can provide a degree of parasite control without compromising production."

A recent paper published by Andy Forbes, honorary professor at the University of Glasgow’s School of Veterinary Medicine and COWS technical representative, has re-emphasized that mixed aged grazing, rotational grazing and using low risk pastures such as silage and hay aftermaths have a role to play.

These tactics can reduce the exposure of naïve animals to high worm burdens which can subsequently increase daily live weight gain in youngstock.

He said: "With anthelmintic resistance recognised as a potential risk to the cattle industry we can’t overlook the role that grassland management can play as part of a farms parasite control plan.

“Cattle wormers are the mainstay to help keep on top of parasite burdens, but when choosing the right wormer, it must be suited to the situation.

“It’s important to consider the efficacy of the product, whether you have any resistance issues on-farm, and its spectrum of activity, as not all wormers are effective against all stages of parasite lifecycles.

"If anything, I would always make the point that farmers should be weighing every animal or using a weighband to calculate the correct dose each time, and always read the product label.

"This may sound simple, but they are key factors that are often forgotten and can result in cattle being under or over dosed.”

What do you think about anthelmintic resistance? Let us know on our Facebook page, don't forget to give us a like!

For more information please visit beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk.