As ranchers and dairymen and women across Oklahoma prepare their operations for fall, another round of deworming cattle comes to mind. Ron Hays talked with Harold Newcomb, technical services manager and veterinarian with Merck Animal Health, about parasite control strategies ahead of the turn of the season.

Newcomb said parasite control is important for three reasons: an infestation causes an animal to reduce their feed intake, lag in production - whether that is measured in weight gain, milk production or reproduction, and negatively affects their ability to viral vaccines and diseases.

“If you think about it, parasites are one thing that that animal is facing every day of its life when it’s out there grazing,” Newcomb said. “You get parasite control right and a lot of other things look good.”