Dairy farmers welcome zero withdrawal parasite injection
This award is for a new scientific product or service launched in the past 12 months, that has revolutionised some aspect of dairy farming.
While Eprecis can be used in dairy and beef animals, the critical advantage is zero milk withdrawal in dairy cows.
Eprinomectin is the active ingredient, for control or treatment of parasites such as lungworms, stomach worms, mites, and lice.
Having this in an injectable form with the zero milk withdrawal requirement is welcomed by most dairy farmers.
Issues with traditional pour-on parasite control products include reduced bioavailability, poor absorption rates, weather dependent application, and other issues around hygiene and waste.
Due to precise dosing rates, Eprecis has proven bioavailability of 89%, versus 17% in pour-on products.
It is rapidly absorbed to reach peak plasma concentration levels in two days, versus four days with pour-ons.
The product is being sold through local co-ops, merchants, and veterinary practices. and is available in 100ml and 250ml shatterproof vials.
At the National Dairy Show, John Maher of Pharvet detailed the product for award judges Adrian O’Callaghan of Teagasc and 2017 Nuffield Scholar Niall O’Regan.
The award was presented in the main arena at the Show by Agriculture Minister Michael Creed.
- The silver award in this category went to last year’s overall winners, Devenish Nutrition.
The company launched a new soil improvement programme at this year’s National Ploughing Championships.
The programme works in three steps which start with soil aeration to reduce compaction.
The programme then looks at using soil analysis to rebalance soil fertility, before biological treatment of slurry using a product called Digest-it, to improve its fertiliser value.
Studies have found increased grass utilisation on the grazing platform by 21%, and 8% more milk from forage.
