increase font size
Wormwise programme manager Ginny Dodunski.
Farmers grazing dairy heifers are being encouraged to download a new factsheet to help them manage worms.
The Beef + Lamb New Zealand-funded Wormwise programme has developed the fact sheet to support farmers and their staff with internal parasite management in calves from the pre-weaning stage until their first winter.
"Worm larval challenge and drench resistant parasites are a common underlying cause of poor performance in heifer rearing systems," says Dr Ginny Dodunski, experienced veterinarian and manager of the Wormwise programme.
"The fact sheet outlines the basics of the worm life cycle and the effects of parasites on young cattle and introduces concepts around offering lower worm challenge grazing to young stock, with tools to mitigate and reduce the risk of drench resistance."
Dodunski says this is about recognising that practice change does not always come from the top down.
"Sometimes it's staff asking questions about something they have read or seen that starts a conversation about how things could be improved."
Wormwise aims to help farmers and their advisors to manage worms sustainably. It brings together industry experts to manage and integrate research work, education, communication and extension services for the benefit of farmers, vets, key influencers and retailers.
The fact sheet can be downloaded from the Wormwise website.
Milton dairy farmer Chris Wills says he began using probiotics in spring 2023 to address somatic cell count (SCC) grades when cows transitioned from their winter barn to lush spring pasture.
Treat your farm boundary like a border. This was one of the messages delivered to farmers at a recent Beef + Lamb New Zealand Protect Your Patch workshop in Lincoln.
Feeding infected milk is high risk for spreading diseases such as M. bovis.
To ensure optimal growth, health, and wellbeing of calves, feeding strategies should be considered carefully.
Another milestone has been reached in the fight against Mycoplasma bovis with the compensation assistance service being wound up after helping more than 1300 farmers.
'Common sense' cuts to government red tape will make it easier for New Zealand to deliver safe food to more markets.
Balclutha farmer Renae Martin remembers the moment she fell in love with cows.
Academic freedom is a privilege and it's put at risk when people abuse it.
All eyes are on milk production in New Zealand and its impact on global dairy prices in the coming months.
Claims that some Southland farmers were invoiced up to $4000 for winter grazing compliance checks despite not breaching rules are being rejected by Environment Southland.
According to the most recent Rabobank Rural Confidence Survey, farmer confidence has inched higher, reaching its second highest reading in the last decade.
