Merial Launches New Website for Producers Interactive Digital Dewormer Tool Evaluates Herd Risk
US - In today’s cattle industry, producers are looking for immediate answers to strengthen their bottom line. To help meet this need, Merial launched a new website, which provides a digital deworming tool that will give cattle producers immediate evaluations of their current deworming protocols.
25 October 2012
2 minute read
This year’s drought has producers scrutinizing their bottom line and looking for ways to increase productivity. The digital deworming tool evaluates a herd’s parasite load and its impact on overall herd health. The tool is simple and straightforward to use. First, the tool will ask questions such as herd size, pasture turnout plans, region of the country where the cattle are located and products currently used for parasite management. Detailed questions are then asked regarding which products will be used to treat parasites and when those treatments are scheduled.
After inputting this information, the digital deworming tool gets to work. The tool predicts the overall health of a herd as it relates to parasitism. The analysis includes critical parasite load estimates and a corresponding herd health evaluation. This information can be used by the producer to evaluate overall herd productivity and steps that can be taken to improve deworming protocols.
“It’s important for producers to implement a parasite control program that allows for the best body condition, reproductive ability and weaning weights,” says Steve Vandeberg, director, endectocide marketing for Merial. “This new tool can help producers evaluate their deworming options by predicting overall herd health. All they have to do is invest a few minutes at a computer to help them establish an effective protocol and then implement the strategy.”
According to Mr Vandeberg, the up-front time invested is worth it because not having an effective deworming program can have adverse results for producers. Internal parasites, if left untreated, can negatively impact the immune system, reduce appetite and nutritional efficiency, reduce weaning weights, lower conception rates, alter carcass composition and decrease milk production.|
In fact, of all the animal health practices used to increase production, treating beef cattle for parasites gives producers the greatest economic return.
Besides the digital deworming tool, the site also features information about the impact of parasites, the type of parasites commonly found in beef and dairy herds, and common deworming misconceptions.
“We know how difficult it can be for producers to have profitable operations,” says Mr Vandeberg. “At Merial, we think it’s important to provide the tools producers need to educate themselves about parasite control. This new website is just one more way for producers to learn about current deworming strategies and develop plans that will work in their unique situations.”
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