Resistance to internal and external parasite control in the beef cattle sector is a worry

Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa, believes that parasites’ growing resistance to anthelmintic remedies and an increasing parasite load among beef cattle in South Africa is a serious cause for concern. He spoke to Annelie Coleman.

- By Annelie Coleman

The escalation of both internal and external parasites in South African livestock needs to be managed through an integrated management system rather than by blanket dosing, according to Dr Dave Midgley, CEO of the Ruminant Veterinary Association of South Africa (RuVASA).

For the purpose of this article, the focus will be on parasites in beef cattle.

“Parasite control can best be achieved through an integrated management system and feeding programme. Efficient management is important when dealing with parasites, and the lack of proper management is often the reason behind treatment failure and increased resistance to anthelmintic remedies.

“Anthelmintics are a type of medicine that kills helminths. Helminths are worm-like parasites such as flukes, roundworms, and tapeworms. Anthelmintics must be used wisely as every application increases the risk and degree of resistance in the parasite population,” Midgley had already warned in a Farmer’s Weekly article published 15 years ago (18 June 2010).

Internal and external parasites significantly impact the health of cattle herds, adds Dr Dirk Verwoerd, head veterinarian at Karan Beef. “Many people underestimate the impact parasites and their associated diseases have on cattle herds.

“For example, if tick burdens are not controlled, farmers can lose a large portion of their herd through tick-borne diseases such as redwater, gallsickness, heartwater and lumpy skin disease. Farmers must implement effective integrated dipping and deworming protocols to support the health and production of their cattle herd, and the quality of their beef products,” says Verwoerd.

CATTLE HEALTH