The suckler cow is a pretty robust animal. That said, she still needs to be looked after health-wise.

The beauty of this time of the year is that housing provides a unique opportunity to simultaneously treat a broad spectrum of potential issues.

Parasites

First up is parasites, both internal and external. Stomach worms are not as common in mature suckler cows as in calves and weanlings, because immunity increases with each grazing season.

That said, one group of animals that I would be keenly monitoring are first calved heifers, particularly those that calved at two years of age.

They often have a stomach worm burden and loss of condition and loose dung is a tell-tale sign.

The other form of worm to consider is lungworm. Animals of all ages are susceptible, but once again, mature cattle are less so.

This year was an extreme year for lungworm on beef farms, so it’s possible first calvers and younger cows may have picked up infection.

While suckler cows can develop immunity to worms, they cannot do so for liver fluke.

Liver fluke infection can be a problem all year round, however, most infections occur in the winter after making contact with snails in the summer and autumn.

Cattle grazing in wet weather and/or on wet land are more susceptible so, given the two months that have just passed, it is likely to be an issue in some suckler herds at present.

Signs for these internal fluke and worm parasites include loss of condition, lose dung or scour and poor coat condition.

To determine if you have a worm burden in your cow herd, monitor your cattle for the aforementioned clinical signs

While it might not have an immediate effect on the dry cow, an underlying infection will ultimately lead to knock-on effects like low energy at calving, decreased milk yield and even reduced fertility when it comes to breeding in six months time.

To determine if you have a worm burden in your cow herd, monitor your cattle for the aforementioned clinical signs.

Faecal samples will tell you if there is a worm presence in your animals and how severe it is. Liver fluke can be tested in dung and/or by blood testing, but this is expensive.

Laurie Harney of Ardrahan, Co Galway immunising his Parthenaise purebred herd.

Most slaughter plants are returning liver reports. If you are sending cull cows to the factory, make sure to get these reports and discuss the results with your farm vet.

These reports are also available through the Beef Health Check service on ICBF.

External parasites like lice and mites are the final stops on your health check-list.

These become a problem at housing, due to a lack of sunlight in dark sheds and they spread rapidly because cattle are within close proximity of each other.

Early signs include scratching, licking and dermatitis. If left untreated, these parasites can also affect performance.

Be very careful about the product you use, bearing in mind the active ingredients, the route of administration, the age of larvae it treats against and the withdrawal period

It is possible you will have to treat for external parasites at least once and likely twice over the course of the winter.

Several of the anthelmintics and drugs required to treat worms, fluke, lice and mites are available as combination products, usually a flukicide and a general wormer, or an endectocide.

Be very careful about the product you use, bearing in mind the active ingredients, the route of administration, the age of larvae it treats against and the withdrawal period.

The list of vaccines used in suckler herds has undoubtedly grown in recent years, with farmers slowly coming round to the idea that prevention is better than the cure.

The list of vaccines to consider in suckler herds includes, but is not limited to:

  • Lepto.
  • BVD.
  • Scour.
  • IBR.
  • Salmonella.

    • It is often hard to get all vaccines in pre-breeding, so some are left until the dry period.

    If you need to get in a round of vaccines, or indeed if you need to give a booster shot to maiden heifers, make a reminder so you won’t forget.

    Cows calving in January can be vaccinated in October/November

    You can tie this in with parasite dosing and clipping tails and backs.

    A scour vaccine must be given within three to 12 weeks of calving, to provide adequate immunity to the new-born calf.

    Cows calving in January can be vaccinated in October/November, but for those not calving until March, you will have to wait until January or February.

    There are currently three scour vaccines available in Ireland. Consult your vet as to which one you should use.