It’s August—and at first glance, your cattle might look like they’ve weathered summer just fine. The calves are filling out, the cows are holding condition, and the pastures, while a little crispy, are still holding up well. But don’t let that surface-level calm fool you. One sneaky issue that could be dragging down performance and profits without making much of a scene is parasites. The potential loss of earnings due to parasites is a genuine concern that should not be overlooked.
Horn flies, ticks, and internal worms don’t care if it’s hot, dry, or the tail-end of summer. In fact, August is prime time for some of these pests to ramp up their damage—especially if your earlier control efforts are wearing off. That pour-on you applied in June? It may no longer be holding. And if your deworming strategy didn’t account for reinfection cycles, your herd could be quietly losing weight, milk production, and overall health. This reduction could translate to significant economic losses for your operation.
This season is the perfect time for a late-summer parasite check—a simple reassessment that could save you pounds, performance, and money come weaning. In this article, we’ll walk through how to evaluate if your herd is still protected, what warning signs to watch for, and the best options for correcting any gaps. Remember, early assessment can prevent performance loss, putting you in control of your herd’s health and productivity.
Don’t let parasites get the last word this season. Let’s make sure your herd finishes strong.
