While New World screwworm may be grabbing the headlines, producers shouldn’t lose sight of the everyday parasite challenges that could be affecting their herd’s performance. From internal parasites to lice and flies, effective control comes down to more than just choosing a treatment method.

Kirk Ramsey, a professional services veterinarian with Neogen, says success comes from understanding a few key concepts, asking the right questions and having a strong relationship with your veterinarian. 

1. Am I treating at the right time?

“Timing always becomes the most important part of any parasite control program,” Ramsey says.

Too often, he says treatments are applied before parasite populations are present or active, leading to minimal results. Discovering the “right” timing often depends on working with an expert who understands the environment, operation and treatment goals.

“Having that relationship with your veterinarian is really important,” Ramsey says. “You want to work with a veterinarian who understands your environment and that can give you really good, solid protocols that will work directly related to your issues.”

Parasite challenges vary by region, making timing strategies critical. 

Ramsey explains warm, humid areas, such as the Southeast, often experience greater internal parasite pressures, while drier regions such as the West tend to face more issues with external parasites. Northern producers may see increased lice problems during winter months.

2. Are my management practices and life cycle management working together?

It’s not just the producer’s choice of when to apply product that matters, either. 

“All of our parasites are all about right environmental timing and life cycle timing; that’s where all the mistakes are made,” Ramsey explains. “Producers should be very aware of life cycles.”

Parasites go through multiple stages, and not every product works at every stage. If treatments only target one part of the pests’ life cycle, the problem can quickly return.

“You need to ask your veterinarian to help you understand the life cycle of any parasite … to try to comprehend why the protocol is built the way it is and understand that some products are going to work at certain parts of the life cycle and some aren’t,” Ramsey says.

He adds environmental factors, like temperature and weather, also play a major role in how those life cycles progress.

“Weather is especially important when using topical products,” he says. “Heavy rainfall shortly after application may reduce the effectiveness of some pour-on products if adequate absorption time hasn’t occurred, so producers should always follow label directions closely.”

Ramsey also explains freezing temperatures naturally kill a parasite population, making it an ideal time for treatment.

“Utilize environmental impacts to leverage your capacity to beat these parasites by recognizing the weather impacts on life cycles in general,” Ramsey says.

Environmental stress is another important factor to consider.

“During periods of extreme heat, cattle are already under additional stress, so processing and treating cattle during cooler parts of the day may be preferable,” he notes.

Beyond timing treatments appropriately, producers also need to ensure they are selecting the right products.

3. Am I using the right products, and am I using them correctly?

Although product selection is important, Ramsey stresses that products should fit into a strategically planned protocol.

“My general protocol is to work with both on-animal products and off-animal products, and just don’t focus on products — focus on full management solutions,” he says.

That includes addressing the environment where parasites develop, such as pens and feedbunks. Ramsey refers to this as a multimodal approach, emphasizing that managing parasites goes beyond treatment alone.

While routine treatment is an important part of control, producers should also be mindful of resistance, which can develop when the same products are used repeatedly.

“It’s easy to create resistance when you’re only using the same product over and over again,” Ramsey says.

Working with a veterinarian can help ensure products are used in a way that remains effective over time.

A tailored plan

Ultimately, parasite control is not a one-size-fits-all system. It requires a plan tailored to each operation’s environment, management style and risks. 
“Work with somebody who understands where you’re at and understands the environment you’re working with,” Ramsey says. “They can create you good protocols to break the life cycle.” 

Rather than simply creating a general plan, veterinarians should serve as strategic partners.

“Oftentimes, we want a veterinarian to just assign a script, but a good veterinarian should come to you with a consulting lens and help you develop a program that works for you,” Ramsey says. 

As new parasites threaten herds, that approach is especially important.

“You want to work with somebody who can create a program that fits your herd’s dynamics and fits how you run cattle, and not just try to keep it super generic,” Ramsey says. “So that’s where you utilize your veterinarian as a consultant.”