Tackling Dewormer resistance - Oklahoma cattle study

Mar 28, 2024

By Farms.com

As dewormer resistance poses a growing concern for cattle producers, Oklahoma State University (OSU) is spearheading research efforts to combat this challenge. Recent findings underscore the need for effective parasite control strategies in cow-calf operations statewide.

OSU researchers have identified evidence of anthelmintic resistance in a significant portion of participating cow-calf herds in Oklahoma. Through fecal egg count reduction testing (FECRT), 81% of the herds demonstrated signs of resistance, highlighting the urgency of addressing this issue.

To expand on this research, OSU is inviting Oklahoma cattlemen and veterinarians to participate in an extensive study in 2024. The study aims to gather data from at least 50 diverse groups of cattle across the state, focusing on animals in similar production stages.

Interested participants must have appropriate animal handling facilities for safe fecal collection. Sampling will occur before and after deworming, with supplies provided at no cost. OSU researchers will collaborate with participants, while extension personnel offer guidance throughout the process.

The study prioritizes animals between weaning and yearling age, including mature cows, weaned calves, and stocker heifers. Operations with young animals will receive preference to better understand dewormer efficacy in this critical age group.

Participants will receive complimentary laboratory testing and veterinary interpretation of results. By contributing to this research, producers can gain insights into dewormer effectiveness and aid in the development of targeted parasite control strategies.

Video: Evolution of Beef Cattle Farming

The Clear Conversations podcast took to the road for a special episode recorded in Nashville during CattleCon, bringing listeners straight into the heart of the cattle industry. Host Tracy Sellers welcomed rancher Steve Wooten of Beatty Canyon Ranch in Colorado for a wide-ranging discussion that blended family history and sustainability, particularly as it relates to the future of beef production.

Sustainability emerged as a central theme of the conversation, a word that Wooten acknowledges can mean very different things depending on who you ask. For him, sustainability starts with the soil. Healthy soil produces healthy grass, which supports efficient cattle capable of producing year after year with minimal external inputs. It’s an approach that equally considers vegetation, animal efficiency, and long-term profitability.

That philosophy aligned naturally with Wooten’s involvement in the U.S. Roundtable for Sustainable Beef, where he served as a representative for the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association. The roundtable brings together the entire beef supply chain—from producers to retailers—along with universities, NGOs, and allied industries. Its goal is not regulation, Wooten emphasized, but collaboration, shared learning, and continuous improvement.