Dairy cows treated with IVOMEC 1% Injection showed significant improvements in milk production.

On 31 farms, cows and heifers were matched on the basis of expected calving date and allocated between two groups:

• Group 1 was treated with IVOMEC 1% Injection at least 1 month before calving
• Group 2 were the untreated Controls

Milk production data were monitored when all cows were at least 100 days into lactation. Data collected were corrected for age at calving, season of calving, breed, length of lactation and mean herd level of production. All calculations were based on differences between current and previous lactation to stabilize genetic variation. Faecal samples were collected from cows to assess whether or not internal parasites were present in the herd. The results of these samples indicated that there was a low level of parasite challenge, which came mainly from Ostertagia and Cooperia. Overall, treatment resulted in a significant increase (P<0.01) of 205.1 kg of milk per cow over 305 days of lactation. The quality of milk from treated cows was maintained as increased milk production was achieved. The most productive cows benefited most from treatment.

Effects of treatment with IVOMEC on the relationship between previous and current lactation performance.

Ploeger et al, 1989, Vet. Parasitol. 34:239-253

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