Annual Program for Cattle in South and Central Coast NSW

Ticks

Cattle tick is not a problem in this region

Problem ticks

Paralysis tick and bush tick occur in this region peaking in spring and summer.
Routine control measures for bush tick are generally not warranted.
Young calves are particularly susceptible to paralysis tick toxin so if your property is in a paralysis tick area, consider treatment before paralysis ticks can inject a lethal dose of toxin.

Flies

Buffalo flies normally not a problem, except possibly in very northern parts.
Note, buffalo flies are spreading southward, keep an eye out for them, particularly during wet summers.
Treat if buffalo flies are above industry threshold numbers.
Beef animals. 200 flies
Dairy animals. 30 flies
Stable flies can cause problems on occasion, particularly near dairies or feedlots or other intensive animal housing.

Lice

Lice on cattle are generally not an economic problem. Only treat when heavily infested as indicated by rubbing on fences or structures.

Seasonal trends

Louse numbers increase

late autumn early spring

Optimal timing of treatment if needed (heavy infestation)

late autumn

Louse numbers increase from late autumn through to early spring and then decline with increasing temperatures in spring and summer. Heavy infestations are usually seen in cattle in poor body condition. In most cases the lice are a consequence, and not the cause, of poor nutritional conditions. Where lice are an on-going problem a single treatment in late autumn will usually provide effective control.

Worms

Highest WECs

Summer

Significant worms

Barber’s pole worm (Haemonchus placei)

Small brown stomach worm (Ostertagia ostertagi)

Small intestinal worms (Cooperia species)

Liver fluke

Other worms

Lungworm (Dictyocaulus viviparus)

Stomach fluke (Calicophoron calicophorum)

Stomach hair worm (Trichostrongylus axei)

Nodule worm (Oesophagostomum radiatum)

Calendars for worm and fluke control

KEY
√	Strategic worm treatment given each year
(√)	Not a routine treatment. Indicators for treatment include scouring, sudden loss of condition and a condition score of 2 or less, especially if feed availability is less than 1,000kg DM/ha. Treatment will be more effective if combined with a change to ‘low-risk’ pastures, especially for young stock.
Fi	Both adult and immature fluke present – select a drench that kills all fluke stages
(Fi)	Adult and immature fluke present. This drench may not be needed on properties with a low fluke risk.
F	Only adult fluke present. Use a drench other than triclabendazole to help slow the development of resistance.

Table 1. Calendar for worm and fluke control in spring calving herds.

Age group	Mar-May	Jul	Sep	Dec
Weaners	√ Weaning	√	(√)	√
Yearlings/First calvers	√	(√) Pre-calving		(√)
2nd calvers		(√) Pre-calving
Adult cows	Adult cows usually develop a strong immunity to roundworms so mob-scale drenching should not be required – individual cows showing reduced weight gains or signs of internal parasitism (diarrhoea, low body condition score, ill-thrift or high WEC) should be treated.
Bulls				√ Pre-joining
Liver Fluke control
All weaned cattle	Fi		F	(Fi)
Stomach fluke control
A single treatment of all weaned cattle in Sep will usually control stomach fluke in ‘flukey’ areas e.g. swamps, inundated areas, river flood plains. However, in some cases an additional treatment may be required in Mar-May based on monitoring and veterinary advice.

Table 2. Calendar for worm and fluke control in autumn calving herds.

Age group	Mar-May	Jul	Sep	Dec
Weaners	√ Weaning	√	√	(√)
Yearlings/First calvers	√	√ Pre-calving	(√)
2nd calvers	(√)	(√) Pre-calving
Adult cows	Adult cows usually develop a strong immunity to roundworms so mob-scale drenching should not be required – individual cows showing reduced weight gains or signs of internal parasitism (diarrhoea, low body condition score, ill-thrift or high WEC) should be treated.
Bulls	√		(√)
Liver Fluke control
All weaned cattle	(Fi)	Fi	F
Stomach fluke control
A single treatment of all weaned cattle in Sep will usually control stomach fluke in ‘flukey’ areas e.g. swamps, inundated areas, river flood plains. However, in some cases an additional treatment may be required in Mar-May based on monitoring and veterinary advice.

Subscribe to the Boss Bulletin

Subscribe the the Boss Bulletin for monthly updates and articles about all things parasite management

Unfortunately due to resourcing issues, the ParaBoss newsletter is no longer being published. Previous editions are available in the News Archive

Subscribe here

Notice: you are leaving the ParaBoss main website

www.wecqa.com.au is a secondary ParaBoss website hosted by the University of New England (UNE). Whilst this is still an official ParaBoss website, UNE is solely responsible for the website’s branding, content, offerings, and level of security. Please refer to the website’s posted Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.