Problems with scouring heifers

Free drench resistance testing and diagnosis of common causes of diarrhoea is available to eligible farmers this season, as part of a Department of Primary Industries (DPI) project researching the causes of scouring in dairy heifers.
As autumn approaches, last year’s spring calves are likely to experience significant parasite burdens. This is frequently compounded by limited access to clean pastures as farmers comply with Johnes disease management requirements.
DPI is building on research conducted by Ellinbank veterinarian, Dr Lauren Conochie, during the 2006-2007 seasons. It looked at parasite management in 80 dairy herds and found evidence of poor drench efficacy in approximately 25% of herds sampled.
To be eligible for the free testing, the following criteria apply:
• Dairy heifers must be between three and 12 months of age.
• Minimum of 30 heifers in a management group.
• Signs of scouring in 10% or more of the group.
• Yards, race and preferably crush to safely restrain heifers for collection of faecal samples.
At the first visit, DPI staff will conduct a screening test to establish the cause(s) of scouring.
Faecal samples will be collected from 10 individual animals that are representative of the group and tested for worms, coccidia, yersinia and salmonella, which are the most common causes of scouring in heifers of this age.
Where a diagnosis other than worms is obtained, the results will be provided to your nominated veterinarian for further advice and treatment of the mob.
If the worm egg count is sufficiently high, drench resistance testing will be offered to assess if, and at what level, drench resistance is present in the herd. These results can then be used in decision making in the future, to get optimal results from drench use and to preserve drench effectiveness on your farm.
The testing will be available until the end of May 2009. If you have a group of scouring heifers that meet the eligibility criteria above and would like to participate in the free testing being offered by DPI, please contact your local DPI Veterinary or Animal Health Officer at DPI Ellinbank on 5624 2222, DPI Maffra on 5147 0800 or DPI Bairnsdale on 5152 0400.