Welcome back to the American Cattlemen Podcast. Just ahead, we have Dustin Hector, and he sits down with Dr. M. Wayne Ayers with Elanco Animal Health, about the Importance of Parasite Testing your herd. 

Dr. Ayers shares his extensive background spanning decades in veterinary medicine, encompassing experience in private practice, academia, and his current industry role. Dr. Ayers explains that testing helps producers identify which internal parasite species are present, determine the appropriate treatment strategies, and strike a balance between economic viability and animal health. The timing and type of testing, he notes, should be tailored to specific regional and seasonal conditions, such as climate, rainfall, and pasture type, since the parasite life cycle is tightly linked to environmental factors.

A key point raised is the use of composite fecal sampling, particularly from young calves, to obtain a representative herd-level assessment without the need for testing every individual animal. Sampling strategies and laboratory techniques, such as fecal egg counts and larval culture, are discussed as methods to identify parasite burdens and species composition. Dr. Ayers also emphasizes that as animals mature, their immune systems generally reduce susceptibility to heavy parasite loads, meaning routine deworming may not be necessary in older, well-conditioned cows. Instead, targeted deworming efforts should focus on younger animals and those with lower body condition scores, guided by evidence from periodic composite testing.

The discussion also addresses the critical issue of anthelmintic resistance, attributed in part to overreliance on existing dewormer molecules—many of which are decades-old—highlighting the necessity of stewardship to preserve their efficacy. Dr. Ayers advocates for data-driven management to optimize herd health while extending the usefulness of current parasite control tools. The podcast concludes with a mutual appreciation for the depth and complexity of parasite management and emphasizes an ongoing commitment to education, research, and responsible animal care for sustainable cattle production.

Importance of Parasite Testing with Dr. M. Wayne Ayers

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