Fluke: Christmas can be a good time to get on top of dosing for fluke and other parasites. Fluke can be a real problem on some farms, reducing weight gains and performance. The most recent Department of Agriculture fluke monitoring report suggests fluke risk is high, especially across the western seaboard. Given the high rainfall that occurred between June and September, all areas are at risk this year.

In 2020 to date, an average of 51% of herds showed at least one animal with liver damage due to liver fluke at slaughter and live liver fluke parasites were seen in 14% of herds. These levels are similar to those reported in 2019 but in the second half of this year live liver fluke detections were higher. You should remain vigilant and at the very least ask about animals’ livers when slaughtered. The most common signs of fluke are poor thrive, loss of condition and, in advanced stages, bottle jaw and anaemia.

Triclabendazole-based doses are the only product that can kill early immature, immature and adult liver fluke with an effectiveness of between 90% and 100%. These have been widely used in cattle herds and sheep flocks and this is one of the reasons resistance has developed. Remember that mature fluke are over eight weeks of age, so if you are using a product that is only active against mature fluke, animals must be housed for at least eight weeks to get high efficiency and a good kill rate. Liver fluke control is very important in autumn/winter-calving cows, as liver fluke parasites add to nutritional stress and may reduce animal performance and delay resumption of cycling.

Talk to your vet about a control strategy for your farm taking into account what products you have used in the past.

Pneumonia issues: I have heard reports of pneumonia in sheds this week around the country. Watch for signs of animals not eating or being dull. Take temperatures if you’re not sure as you can often identify sick animals with a temperature who are not showing signs of sickness. Temperatures of weanlings should be around 39°C to 40°C. Consult your vet. Some farmers have found allowing autumn calves outdoors for a few hours every day has helped reduce pneumonia incidence. Don’t forget about booster shots if you are on a pneumonia vaccination programme.

BEAM: The Department will be writing to BEAM participants about where they stand in terms of stocking rate and meeting the 5% reduction as required under the scheme. It’s important to read this letter carefully to see what your situation is. Contact your agricultural adviser to get help in going through the figures. The longer you leave the reduction in stock the more stock you will have to reduce.

BDGP: The rollover of BDGP will be welcomed by many and the fact that the criteria remains the same means many herds will just have to maintain the number of 4- and 5-star cows in the herd for 2021 to receive payment. Applications can be completed on agfood.ie or by replying to a text that the Department will send out to participants.