18 NEBRASKA CATTLEMAN November 2025 PRODUCTION Fall Animal Health Brush up on Animal Health Protocols TRESSA LAWRENCE | CONTRIBUTING WRITER Crisp mornings. Fall colors. Bawling calves. The change of seasons is upon us. The calendar is filled with dates for your own fall work, along with your neighbors’ shipping dates, your in-laws’ weaning dates and information for that new feller down the road who asked for your help. We are all familiar with the routine: precondition the calves, wean or ship the calves, preg test the cows, prep the cattle that are being kept for the winter. But, what does that winter preparation look like? Cows in the Chute Before your cows hit the chute for their fall workups, it is a good idea to consult with your veterinarian on what vaccines and protocols you will want to incorporate, especially in regard to parasites. Many people assume that parasites are only a concern in the spring and summer, but it is equally important to treat them in the fall. “Parasites are very individualized,” explains Lindsay Waechter-Mead, DVM, and director of Nebraska Beef Quality Assurance. “Even across Nebraska, they can be very different in different regions and also in different cattle ages. You can test for parasites in your calves and your cows by doing a fecal sample.” Endoparasites Endoparasites, or parasites that live inside an animal, can be tracked and tested through fecal sampling. Endoparasites live inside the animal’s intestinal tract, and the adult parasites will lay their eggs inside the animal. Those eggs are then passed along through their feces. By counting the number of eggs in an animal’s feces, you can determine the number or ”parasite load.” “Fecal samples can be run by most local veterinarians inhouse, and they also work with [University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences],” says Roberto Cortiñas, DVM, Ph.D., and professor of practice at UNL School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. “You do not have to sample every single animal; you just need to sample a few animals to have a good idea of what parasites are there. This allows you to tailor your deworming program appropriately.” Ideally, fecal samples will be collected and tested, recording the results of the type of eggs present and how many there Following BQA guidelines, like changing your needles after every 10 animals, can help set your cattle up for success and get the most out of their fall animal health protocols. Photo courtesy of Tressa Lawrence.
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