WORMING up to five weeks before housing can prevent potential problems such as pneumonia and introduce some obvious cost benefits.

In the next few weeks, newly-housed cattle will not only have to adjust to a new diet and a complete change of environment, often with poor ventilation, but will also experience tight stocking densities.

"There are a number of stress factors at housing that can affect cattle, particularly the youngsters, and so lower their resistance to disease," says Scottish Agricultural College's vet, George Caldow.

"Those factors include parasites such as lung worm, as well as viruses and bacteria, mixing of cattle and poorly ventilated accommodation. The result is increased susceptibility to pneumonia.

"If producers can adopt management rgimes, including vaccination for viruses and bacteria and dosing with a persistent anthelmintic at least two weeks before cattle are brought indoors, rather than at the traditional time of housing, it should go a long way towards reducing vulnerability to pneumonia this coming season."

Gastrointestinal worms are also high on that league table of stress factors, says Fort Dodge Animal Health's Andrew Wylie. "Ostertagia are noted for causing telltale symptoms of reduced feed intakes and subsequently reduced performance. Growth rates are impaired and performance can, in general, be affected.

"Research has found that cattle suffering from a worm burden can also suffer from a suppressed immune system. In addition, these animals are less able to respond to vaccines and the benefits of vaccination are reduced.

"Farmers should treat at least two weeks before housing or vaccination to allow the worms to be killed and the immune system to return to normal function. Cydectin Cattle Pour On has a persistent action for five weeks, so treating cattle five weeks before housing will allow maximum time for their immune system to recover before housing. No further treatment for gastrointestinal worms will be required at housing, so there are savings to be made in time, labour and the cost of further treatment."