Improving performance in your herd
Sometimes the things that are wreaking the most havoc in cattle herds are unseen. Such is the case with parasites in livestock. The parasites lurking inside animals can create serious health issues and ultimately negatively impact productivity.
Producers looking to determine the parasite load on their animals may want to consider collecting fecal samples to send for a Fecal Egg Count Reduction Test (FECRT). The FECRT is an effective strategy to understand the extent of the parasitic infections in a herd as well as the effectiveness of treatment.
“It (FECRT) is honestly a great tool that we have to use for producers to figure out the parasite load in their cattle. Ultimately whenever we deworm, we are improving the performance as well as the overall health of the entire herd whenever they are going through that process,” Kirsten Midkiff, Ph.D., Extension Animal Health and Wellbeing Specialist at the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, explained.
Parasite Resistance: Livestock extension specialists and veterinarians recommend producers consider collecting samples to be put through a FECRT to help them make solid management decisions. “One of the big problems we are seeing right now is a lot of the parasites are becoming resistant to the deworming products. The tests (FECRT) will allow producers to determine if they are utilizing a product that is effective in killing the parasites,” Midkiff said.
Experts suggest producers follow a deworming protocol that consists of first pulling fecal samples and sending them for FECRTs. Next, treating the herd with anthelmintics otherwise known as deworming medications. Then, repeat FECRTs several weeks later to determine if the products being used to control the parasites are working.
Sample Collection and Analyzation: Collecting samples from an entire herd to send off for testing seems daunting and unrealistic for many operations. That is why producers typically collect the fecal samples from a portion of the herd instead of from every single animal.
Depending on herd size, producers will take fecal samples from a representative number of head. This allows producers to get a gauge of what the herd in general is dealing with in regard to the parasite load. One of the easiest ways to collect the fecal samples is to incorporate the practice while working animals through a chute for routine vaccinations and other health protocols.
“The best way to do that is to get feces directly from the animal, not off of the ground where there could be contamination. Running cattle through the chute would be a great time, if it’s something a producer wants to do, to get those fresh samples straight from the source,” Midkiff shared.
Producers will want to keep in mind the importance of making sure the sample isn’t contaminated from other outside sources. It is alright to collect a fecal sample from a clean floor. But experts emphasize the floor must be clean to limit any possible contamination from the environment.
The sample can be collected using an OB glove that is tied at the end. Another method is to place the sample in a small, sealed plastic bag. When collecting cattle feces, about a handful is the right amount. Samples should be stored in airtight containers, kept cold but not frozen for a maximum of 24 hours. The samples should arrive at the lab no later than two days following collections.
There are many resources available for producers interested in FECRTs. The University of Arkansas Parasitology Laboratory conducts FECRTs. Additionally, many veterinary diagnostic labs, like University of Missouri and Oklahoma State University, offer screening for parasites.
“If anyone needs help in figuring out where to send samples to and how, I recommend reaching out to an extension agent or even a local veterinarian to discuss it and figure out the best options,” Midkiff advised.
