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08/09/2010 09:06:29
Gutworms costing UK dairy farmers £281 million
Dairy farmers across the UK could be losing anything up to £281 million per year as a result of the high gutworm challenge faced by grazing dairy cattle. Tests carried out on bulk milk samples during 2009 showed that 93% of the herds tested had been exposed to a high gutworm challenge. If this finding, produced from MOO tests, is extrapolated across the national herd, it would mean that over 1.7 million1 cows could be affected.
The tests, which were carried out on 464 farms across the UK, measured levels of antibodies to gutworms in the milk. Elevated levels of antibodies show that the cows are exposed to a high gutworm challenge from the pasture. Only 5% of the tests showed a medium level of challenge, while just 2% were at a low level.
A high gutworm challenge can lead to a reduction in milk production. Research has shown that removing these gutworms with the zero milk withdrawal product Eprinex® Pour On, can increase milk production by up to 2 litres per cow per day2. This means that, by leaving cows untreated, dairy farmers across the UK may have lost out on nearly 1.2 billion litres of milk during 2009, with potentially recoverable losses worth approximately £281 million.
Merial Veterinary Advisor, Fiona MacGillivray says: "Many dairy farmers don’t believe that gutworm burdens are a problem, as they cause no obvious clinical effects in the adult cows. However, there is an abundance of independent research in over 5,000 dairy cows across the world which clearly shows that worming cows with eprinomectin improves both milk production and fertility.
"Any dairy farmer who really believes that he has one of the few herds which is not facing a significant gutworm challenge and would not benefit from worming his herd should consider trying the MOO test for themselves. They may have a very real and easy opportunity to increase productivity and profitability."
For more information, speak to your local vet or licensed merchant where appropriate. Otherwise, contact Merial Customer Support on 0800 592699.
The tests, which were carried out on 464 farms across the UK, measured levels of antibodies to gutworms in the milk. Elevated levels of antibodies show that the cows are exposed to a high gutworm challenge from the pasture. Only 5% of the tests showed a medium level of challenge, while just 2% were at a low level.
A high gutworm challenge can lead to a reduction in milk production. Research has shown that removing these gutworms with the zero milk withdrawal product Eprinex® Pour On, can increase milk production by up to 2 litres per cow per day2. This means that, by leaving cows untreated, dairy farmers across the UK may have lost out on nearly 1.2 billion litres of milk during 2009, with potentially recoverable losses worth approximately £281 million.
Merial Veterinary Advisor, Fiona MacGillivray says: "Many dairy farmers don’t believe that gutworm burdens are a problem, as they cause no obvious clinical effects in the adult cows. However, there is an abundance of independent research in over 5,000 dairy cows across the world which clearly shows that worming cows with eprinomectin improves both milk production and fertility.
"Any dairy farmer who really believes that he has one of the few herds which is not facing a significant gutworm challenge and would not benefit from worming his herd should consider trying the MOO test for themselves. They may have a very real and easy opportunity to increase productivity and profitability."
For more information, speak to your local vet or licensed merchant where appropriate. Otherwise, contact Merial Customer Support on 0800 592699.
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