When should my calves get their first dose?

Artificially-reared calves require protection sooner than suckling calves from worms, in general. These animals are vulnerable as they will have no natural immunity built up at turnout. Concurrently they will be utilising grass as their main nutrition source and so consuming much more parasite larvae than suckling calves.

They will commonly be given products with persistence from three weeks post-turnout (clear wormers). First dose in suckler calves will generally not be required until they are consuming more grass (>3-4 months of age), but is dependent on variables like cow milkability, precipitation during the season, pasture history and stocking rate. Look for animals coughing when moved and/or thrive reduction as an indicator to dose suckler calves.

From a coccidiosis point of view, preventative treatment should be given a week in advance of expected symptoms, across whole groups, based on farm history.

Artificially-reared calves require protection sooner than suckling calves from worms, in general. These animals are vulnerable as they will have no natural immunity built up at turnout. Concurrently they will be utilising grass as their main nutrition source and so consuming much more parasite larvae than suckling calves.

They will commonly be given products with persistence from three weeks post-turnout (clear wormers). First dose in suckler calves will generally not be required until they are consuming more grass (>3-4 months of age), but is dependent on variables like cow milkability, precipitation during the season, pasture history and stocking rate. Look for animals coughing when moved and/or thrive reduction as an indicator to dose suckler calves.

From a coccidiosis point of view, preventative treatment should be given a week in advance of expected symptoms, across whole groups, based on farm history.