News

Is gutworm affecting your business?

Posted 25/09/2014

Gutworm is impacting UK's dairy businesses to the tune of around £314m a year, according to new figures recently released by animal health company, Merial. They looked at data for bulk milk tests for over 790 dairy herds across the country from 2009-13 and found that a significant number suffered from gutworm, impacting on yields and any potential profits.

The brand manager for Merial Animal Health, Victoria Hudson, said the lost production resulting from gutworm can add up: "Numerous studies have shown that gutworm has a damaging effect on milk production. Treating cows which have been infected with gutworm can increase milk yields by up to 2.6 litres per cow per day - over a 305 day lactation period that really adds up"

A number of strategies are available to help cope with the lungworm problem, including using wormers, dosing calves and moving herds to graze on clean pasture.