Recent warm, wet conditions will have increased the chances of worm burdens rising on pastures. Pastures where cattle and sheep have been grazed together should have a lower cattle worm burden, and also paddock grazing systems will carry lower worm burdens than set stocking systems. Spring-born calves will have no immunity to worms, unlike adult cattle who will have attained some immunity in their first grazing season at grass. Dairy-bred calves are very susceptible to worm infection and should be treated as priority when treating stock.

Faecal sampling is a good way of determining whether a dose is needed, and will help in reducing wormer resistance on your farm. Faecal samples taken on Tullamore Farm this week, in both dairy calf and suckler calf groups, have returned clear of worms. These will be re-sampled in two weeks’ time. Five calves were pooled together for sampling and the cost was €8/sample for four samples. First-calving heifers can sometimes have a low level of immunity built up if dosed a number of times in their first grazing season. If you think they are performing poorly or are thin, take some faecal samples and get them analysed. Clinical signs of lungworm infection include coughing and difficulty breathing. Infected animals will have an increased susceptibility to pneumonia. Incidences of lung worm infection will tend to happen in later summer months.

IGA beef conference:

The Irish Grassland Association will hold its annual beef conference in the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells, Co Meath, on 21 June with a farm tour on Tom Halpin’s suckler farm, just outside Kells, in the afternoon. The morning session will see presentations from Teagasc, Bord Bia and the Irish Farmers Journal, followed by a panel debate on the future of the Irish beef industry. For bookings, contact Maura Callery, IGA secretary, on 087-9626483.

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Beef management notes