Controlling Internal Parasites in Utah Cattle

Clell V. Bagley DVM, Utah State University

Abstract

Most cattle harbor some internal parasites (worms) and Utah cattle are no exception. The varied geographic and climatic conditions of Utah allow for tremendous variation in the parasite burden of different cattle herds. The numbers of parasites varies from very few to so numerous as to cause severe weakness and even death of cattle. Parasite burdens are economically costly at much lower levels than was previously thought. For example, we now know that subclinical parasitism (presence of parasites in the absence of disease) may cost the producer a significant amount of money in lost weight gains, poor feed conversions, etc. Young animals are more susceptible to parasite infection than are adults. Moreover malnourished animals are more parasite prone than are well fed animals.