Cattle deworming exercise starts 

The Livestock Development Corporation has started its cattle deworming exercise to ensure cattle are maintained on a healthy growth path, this is one of its major priorities following its restocking program.

More than 1000 cattle in various Livestock Development Corporation [LDC] sites will be undergoing the deworming process to do away with internal parasites in cattle.

About 300 cattle in Sagalau and Murunas in Madang and Erap in Lae, Morobe province had already been drenched.

LDC General Manager Steven Yangis who personally supervised the exercise recently, stated the livestock were treated using cydectin injection, which is efficient against internal parasites such as flatworms, roundworms, lungworms, liver flukes and cattle tick.

“Cydectin prevents reinfection of gastrointestinal parasitic roundworms such as ostertagia for at least 21 days whilst providing prevention for reinfection of lungworm for another 35 days,” Mr Yangis said.

He added that, deworming is crucial for the livestock industry as it administers a preventive care regime for reducing parasites and improving overall cattle health.

“Internal parasites affect the nutritional status of the animal in several ways, such as decreasing feed intake, low feed digestion and nutrient absorption, weight loss, and low calving, hence timing is everything,” Mr Yangis said.

Furthermore, LDC is continuing its ongoing progress in pasture improvement on the ranches that have been recently reclaimed from illegal settlers and rehabilitated. Besides drenching their livestock with vet supplies, LDC is also involved in breeding and selection for superior genetics, with the aim for producing beef in the country.