I can't believe how rapidly the fall weather is turning into winter. Most of the calves are worked and many are already sold. The market has been great and buyer demand remains high. Now is the time to prepare cows for winter.

Over the past several years, we have seen resistance building to pour-on products which remove lice and internal parasites. To cheapen lice treatment cost, producers were pouring with about 20% of the suggested dose. At the time, it seemed to work but, as a result, lice have been produced which are resistant to the product.

Lice are a problem in our area as well as other cold areas. They survive on the animal year-round, with populations increasing during winter months. Lice cause irritation to cattle, causing cattle to rub, lick and chew to relieve their discomfort rather than eating.

There are two types of lice that affect cattle – chewing lice and sucking lice. Chewing lice are probably the most common and can increase to large populations during winter. These lice chew on the surface of the skin and don't draw blood.

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