As the winter period progresses, ringworm can become more prevalent in sheds. Ringworm is a fungus and it will quickly spread to other cattle. It can also persist for months in housed cattle if pens are not disinfected and power-washed between outbreaks. However, disinfection on its own will not prevent it spreading.

Ringworm is most common in calves as they will have had lower exposure to the fungus and won’t have acquired immunity. Older cattle can still be re-infected if they have suppressed immunity from other health problems, such as respiratory diseases during the housing period. Many housed cattle will have exposed skin around the head and neck area from rubbing against feed barriers.

As cattle are penned in close quarters, ringworm can be easily spread from animal to animal as they make contact when feeding or drinking. Infected animals will usually show the characteristic ring-shaped fungal infection around three weeks from picking up ringworm.

Ringworm will generally heal itself once cattle go out to grass, but severe cases may take months to cure.

Good hygiene practice can reduce the incidence of ringworm. Always wear gloves when handling animals with ringworm as it can spread to humans.

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