Liver Fluke Management

Read the latest Beef Newsletter in full here

With housing around the corner, lots of farms are getting ready to fluke-dose all their cattle. But is this really necessary? For those that currently aren't treating for fluke, we need tomake sure this is not impacting your cattle's health.

The disease

In cattle, chronic "fasciolosis" (liver disease) is the most common form of the disease and is thought to cost the UK cattle industry around £40.4 million annually. In youngstock this disease can lead to reduced feed conversion rates, poorgrowth and reduced carcass value.

In beef suckler herds this is associated with reduced fertility and milk quality, weight loss and predisposition to secondary infections. It is also important to recognise the effect on the performance of breeding bulls. Diarrhoea (mainly during the winter) can be noticed and is the most known symptom, however it is not always present. 

Read more in the newsletter link above