Proper Dosing Helps Contribute to Producer Profits
News release by Merial.
DULUTH, Ga. (Feb. 1, 2012) — The ability of producers to estimate the live bodyweight of cattle can critically affect whether animals receive too little drug or too much, which can have a significant effect on herd health and, ultimately, on the profitability of a producer’s operation. Given that the weight of mature cows has increased by more than 300 pounds (lb.) during the past 30 years, the potential for under- or overdosing poses a real health and financial risk for any operation that estimates cattle weight.1
Proper dosing is especially important when it comes to parasite control, which is the most economically important practice in beef production.2 With inadequate or no parasite control programs in place, the cost to producers can be as much as $200 per head per grazing season.3 Producers simply can’t take chances when it comes to properly administering parasite control products.
One method often used is simply looking at an animal, estimating its weight based on appearance and dosing accordingly. This method, however, is not reliable, as it has been shown that cattle weights are often underestimated. Results of a study showed the actual weight of 85.7% of the evaluated cattle was underestimated by an average of 46.9%.4 In the same study, only 19% of the cattle weights were estimated within ±20% of their true weights. Findings such as these raise concerns that the estimation of cattle weight can result in considerable drug underdosing.4
Another method commonly used is evaluating a group of cattle and estimating the average weight of the group and then dosing according to that weight. This is known as the “Set it and Forget it Method.” As a result, some animals in the group are properly dosed, while lighter-weight animals are overdosed and heavier-weight animals in the group are underdosed.
Ray Kaplan, professor of parasitology at the University of Georgia, says the best technique to guarantee proper dosing is to purchase a scale.
“Individually dosing animals to their actual weight can lead to more effective parasite control,” Kaplan says. “Scales today can be very reasonable to purchase. In addition, having a scale to take individual animals weights opens the door for other management practices like culling dams based on calf weaning weights.”
“Underdosing can lead to poor treatment response, repulls, chronics or death losses, which can mean significant economic losses for an operation,” says Joe Dedrickson, director of field veterinary services for Merial.5 “Using a scale can pay off in many ways. After all, if you are selling by the pound, you should own a scale.”
When it comes to choosing a product for parasite control, producers should look to Ivomec® Eprinex® (eprinomectin). It kills more stages and species of parasites than any other brand.6 It also effectively controls immature and adult worms, biting and sucking lice, mange mites, grubs and horn flies and is the only endectocide with up to 99% control of both Chorioptes bovis (tailhead mange) and Sarcoptes scabiei mange mites.6
For more information about the Ivomec product portfolio, contact your Merial sales representative or visit www.merial.com.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: No meat or milk withdrawal is required when used according to label. Do not use in other animal species not on the label as severe adverse reactions, including fatalities in dogs, may result.
About Merial: Merial is a world-leading, innovation-driven animal health company, providing a comprehensive range of products to enhance the health, well-being and performance of a wide range of animals. Merial employs approximately 5,600 people and operates in more than 150 countries worldwide. Its 2010 sales were more than $2.6 billion. Merial is a Sanofi Company. For more information, please see www.merial.com.
®IVOMEC and EPRINEX are registered trademarks of Merial Limited. ©2011 Merial Limited, Duluth, GA. All rights reserved. RUMIEGN1115 (02/12)
1McMurry B. "Beef Cows, How Big is Too Big." American Cattlemen website. Available at: http://www.americancattlemen.com/articles/beef-cows-how-big-too-big. Accessed Sept. 9, 2011.
2Lawrence JD, Ibarburu MA. "Economic Analysis of Pharmaceutical Technologies in Modern Beef Production." 2007 Iowa State University.
3Arseneau J. "Parasite Control." Purdue University. Available at: www.extension.umn.edu/county/pipestone/images/lesson4h.pdf. Accessed Sept. 24, 2011.
4Machila N, Fevre EM, Maudlin I, Eisler MC. "Farmer estimation of live bodyweight of cattle: implications for veterinary drug dosing in East Africa." Prev Vet Med. 2008 Nov 17;87(3-4):394-403. Epub 2008 June 30.
5Hollis LC, Blasi DA, Spire MF, Higgins JJ. "Improper Dosing Using Average Cattle Weights." Kansas State University. Agricultural Experiment Station and Cooperative Extension Service. Available at: http://hdl.handle.net/2097/4444. Accessed Sept. 17, 2011.
6Based on FOI summaries and label claims.
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