Dairy Herd Parasitology

Current Practices and Future Possibilities

Abstract

The most important time to control internal parasites in a modern, high-producing dairy herd is from the time the replacement heifer calf is dropped until she is introduced into the milking herd. The use of proper sanitary procedures including pasture maintenance to destroy parasites at infective stages or to prevent contact with the infective stages is essential. In addition, proper use of effective anthelmintic drugs is required. When the heifers become adults and join the milking herd the same type of management procedures for controlling exposure to parasites at infective stages is equally important due to severe FDA restrictions on the use of anthelmintic drugs in lactating dairy cows.