Faecal egg counts

[Princess Pooper]

Hi
first year we have done this. First count yesterday, I collected a pooled sample and vet tech did the count for me. We have a written parasite control plan to refer to as well as vet advice, but I'm just interested in what 'cut off' people use for wormer.

These are 9 month old heifers, first grazing season, been out for 4 weeks. At what egg count would you a) just worm any smaller or rougher looking ones and b) worm the whole group?

 

[HasthorpeGrange]

If you’ve taken a pool sample I’d be treating as a group rather then selecting individuals unless you know you had a bias sample towards some rough looking ones

 

[Princess Pooper]

If you’ve taken a pool sample I’d be treating as a group rather then selecting individuals unless you know you had a bias sample towards some rough looking ones

We are treating as a group, but some of the guidance says if you are 'borderline' for your threshold from a pooled sample then just treat the rough looking ones.

But no one has answered my questions! Is no one else doing FECs?

I was interested as my vet plan threshold is quite different from the vet tech comments and also from some stuff I read online.

 

[HasthorpeGrange]

Over 200 worm them. This is when growth rates might be starting to be compromised. What advice have you been given?
If your targeting individual animals then send individual samples. I always get cocci count done at the same time. Might not just be worms

 

[Princess Pooper]

Thanks,
Health plan says 150. Some of the online stuff says 200. Vet tech (without seeing our health plan) said 250.

Soil Association says 150-200 for growing cattle https://www.soilassociation.org/media/1872/factsheet-faecal-egg-counts-2015.pdf

COWS says 200 https://www.cattleparasites.org.uk/...ing-a-faecal-sample-to-test-for-parasites.pdf

Never had a cocci issue before, despite the odd calf being tested occasionally if vet thought they had it.

Calves are looking well but we will be worming them as advised as they are over 150.

 

[crashbox]

Thanks,
Health plan says 150. Some of the online stuff says 200. Vet tech (without seeing our health plan) said 250.

Soil Association says 150-200 for growing cattle https://www.soilassociation.org/media/1872/factsheet-faecal-egg-counts-2015.pdf

COWS says 200 https://www.cattleparasites.org.uk/...ing-a-faecal-sample-to-test-for-parasites.pdf

Never had a cocci issue before, despite the odd calf being tested occasionally if vet thought they had it.

Calves are looking well but we will be worming them as advised as they are over 150.

I think that's the right call.

I have also tried FECs and heard issues with reliability.

2nd season grazers can take a chance.