03 March 2025

INDUSTRY URGES SHIFT TO COMBINATION DRENCHES

• Single active drenches are alarmingly ineffective leaving a staggering 40% of worms untouched.^1-7
• Single active drenches still dominate treatment against cattle worms, accounting for 80% of all drenches administered in Australia – a colossal 25 million doses annually_.^8* 
• Industry analysis estimates that the continued use of single active drenches results in 72,000 ton shortfall in national beef production, translating to a staggering $250 million in lost revenue for Australian cattle producers.^10,11
• Combination drenches have proven to be 99-100% effective against key cattle worms, significantly maximising cattle growth.^1.7 
• Combination drenches can increase weight gain in growing cattle by up to 29 kg over 50 days.^.10,14
• Farmers and the industry must transition to combination drenches as the new standard of care to safeguard cattle growth and profitability.

SINGLE ACTIVE DRENCHES STILL DOMINATE THE CATTLE INDUSTRY

Recent studies have revealed that these traditional drench treatments are alarmingly ineffective, leaving on average, a staggering 38% of worms untouched. ^1-7 

Despite this, single active drenches still dominate the market, accounting for a staggering 80% of all drenches administered in Australia – a colossal 25 million doses annually_.⁸ 

THE CONSEQUENCES OF WIDESPREAD RELIANCE ON OUTDATED TECHNOLOGY ARE DIRE 

On some occasions cattle are becoming sick or dying due to blood loss and/or diarrhoea from uncontrolled worm burdens^.9

More commonly, recent research has shown that continuing to rely on single active drenches will impact cattle growth, leading to significant economic loss. A recent industry analysis estimates that the continued use of these ineffective treatments results in a staggering 72,000 ton shortfall in national beef production, translating to a staggering $250 million in lost revenue for Australian cattle producers.^10,11

THE INDUSTRY ASKS FOR A PARADIGM SHIFT, URGING PRODUCERS TO EMBRACE THE NEW STANDARD OF COMBINATION DRENCHES 

These innovative therapies, formulated with multiple active ingredients, have proven to be 99-100% effective against key cattle worms, significantly maximising cattle growth.^{1,10, 12-14}

For example, use of a combination drench can increase weight gain in growing cattle by up to 29 kg over 50 days^.10,14 By killing more worms, including those resistant to single active drenches, combination drenches not only enhance treatment efficacy but also play a crucial role in delaying the development of drench resistance, a growing threat to sustainable livestock production.

‘Single active drenches are simply no longer an acceptable option for worm control in cattle,’ states cattle veterinarian Dr Matt Ball. ‘The data is clear: these outdated treatments are failing our animals and undermining the profitability of our industry. We must transition to combination drenches as the new standard of care, prioritizing animal health and maximizing production efficiency.’

THE MESSAGE IS CLEAR:  THE ERA OF SINGLE ACTIVE DRENCHES MUST COME TO AN END

By embracing the new standard of combination drenches, Australian cattle producers can safeguard their investment, enhance their profitability, and also help the long-term sustainability of the industry.

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REFERENCES:

1  Ball & Gibbison (2021) Resistance pattern to avermectins and milbemycins in current strains of Australian cattle nematodes, ACV Journal

2 Kotz & Hunt (2023) Current status and outlook for insecticide, acaricide and anthelmintic resistances across the Australian ruminant livestock industries, Australian Veterinary Journal

3  Woodgate et al (2017) Occurrence, Measurement and Clinical Perspectives of Drug Resistance in Important Parasitic Helminths of Livestock. Antimicrobial Drug Resistance.

4 Lyndal-Murphy et al (2010) Reduced efficacy of macrocyclic lactone treatments in controlling gastrointestinal nematode infections of weaner dairy calves in subtropical eastern Australia. Vet Parasitology. 

5 Bullen, Beggs, Mansell, Runciman, Malmo, Playford, Pyman (2016), Anthelmintic resistance in gastrointestinal nematodes of dairy cattle in the Macalister Irrigation District of Victoria, Australian Veterinary Journal 

6 Mauger et al (2022) Anthelmintic resistance of gastrointestinal nematodes in dairy calves

within a pasture-based production system of South West Western Australia. Australian Veterinary Journal.

7 Ball (2024) Australian Cattle Drench FECRT Database - Virbac Data on File

8  Barons Data MAT June 2024- Virbac Data on File. Private Label and Generic data are not included in the data analysis.

9  Fatal Haemonchosis  Beef Heifers  North Coast of NSW, Flock & Herd March 2023. Retrieved https://www.flockandherd.net.au/cattle/ireader/haemonchosis.html

10  NSW DPI (2020) Duck Creek Endoparasite Trial (Data on File)

11  Based on ABS Livestock Data_Barons Data MAT June 2024 and price per kg  retrieved from MLA Nov 2024 

12 Canton et al (2019) Impact on beef cattle productivity of infection with anthelmintic-resistant nematodes, New Zealand Veterinary Journal

13 NSW DPI (2024) Worm control affects heifer fertility on NSW North Coast. Trial Summary - Virbac on File.

14  Virbac (2022) Comparative worm/tick counts and productivity in QLD cattle following Mox/Lev or Doramectin PO- Study 620-21- Data on File.

Weight Gain is not a Cydectin Platinum registered claim. 

*DISCLAIMER:

The information provided in this article is intended as a guide only. Information contained in this article has been provided by the manufacturer/ You should not rely on the information in this article, and it should not be considered advice. You should seek professional advice regarding relevant factors specific to your situation. This article does not take into account variable conditions that may impact performance. Always read and follow label directions before using any product in this article. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Nutrien Ag Solutions Limited and its related associated entities will not be liable for any loss or damage suffered by any person arising out of any reliance on any information contained in this article.

To be eligible for the double points offer, the Nutrien Rewards member must purchase any size of Cydectin Platinum from any Nutrien Ag Solutions store that is part of the Nutrien Rewards Program between 1 March and 31 March 2025. Points will be applied to the Member’s Nutrien Rewards account the following month. Please see the Nutrien Rewards Terms and Conditions for more details.