What parasites should dairy producers be on the lookout for during winter months?

Cold weather may slow down pests, but parasites are a different story.

Veterinarians say now is not the time to let up the gas on deworming.

“So, as we move into the winter season, the key external parasites that dairy producers need to be on the lookout for are lice and mange mites. The lice that we worry about, there’s biting lice and sucking lice. The biting lice tend to feed on debris, skin, hair, and secretions that are on the skin’s surface, whereas those sucking lice can attach to the cow and feed on blood. The mange mites typically will live around the tail head and the hindquarters. The one that will see most often, particularly in dairy cattle, is chorioptic mange, and we also sarcoptic mange that can be a bit more severe, but it’s far less common than chorioptic,” said Dr. Jennifer Roberts, a professional services veterinarian with Boehringer-Ingelheim.

Roberts says whatever the parasite may be, they all will have an impact on your bottom line.

Related Stories
Exports depend more on demand than currency shifts.
RealAg Radio’s Shaun Haney discusses Canada’s new soil health strategy, its implications for producers, and its potential to support sustainable agriculture in Canada compared to USDA funding for conservation.
National Association of Wheat Growers President Jamie Kress discusses how rising fertilizer prices pressure wheat producers and the Administration’s consideration of lowering duties on Moroccan phosphate.
EPA estimates the rule could generate more than $10 billion for rural economies and support over 100,000 jobs across agriculture and manufacturing sectors.
White House hosts “Celebration of Agriculture” as Trump administration signals new farmer support, including potential tax breaks and upcoming renewable fuel policy updates.
Oklahoma Cattlemen’s Michael Kelsey joined us to discuss wildfire impacts across the Southern Plains, the importance of community support, and the path forward for affected producers.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

San Angelo Stock Show & Rodeo Association’s Trenton Priddy preview this year’s event, which is now streaming on RFD+
Dr. Peter Beetham, interim CEO of Cibus, joined us to discuss the status of EU gene-editing deregulation and its potential implications for agriculture.
Danny Munch of the American Farm Bureau joined us to discuss USDA’s latest farm income forecast, revisions to prior estimates, and what the updated data means for farmers heading into 2026.
HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy calls on cattle producers to retain breeding cows while Ivomec receives emergency authorization to prevent New World screwworm.
SharkFarmer host Rob Sharkey takes us on a tour of the John Deere showcase on the trade show floor of CattleCon 2026 in Nashville.
Twisted Skillet’s Cantina Peanuts are a crispy bar snack made with raw Spanish peanuts, fried up with garlic, chile de árbol, and crunchy tortilla bits, creating a classic, savory Mexican “botana” or appetizer.