Determining the production response to a
fluke treatment in weaner cattle
FITT FINAL REPORT 12FT11
Year of trial: 2013
Group that proposed the trial: Tutira Fluke Busters
Region: Hawke’s Bay
Trial initiators:
Graeme Maxwell
Dr Mark Matthews
Dr Helen Taylor
KEY ‘TAKE HOME’ MESSAGES

Liver fluke infection was present in weaner heifers on two of the three test farms at the
beginning of the trial, and on all three farms at the end.

There is a live weight gain advantage in treating animals for fluke when liver fluke is known to
be present. However, it was not possible to determine the level of infection in individual animals
because only one fluke present will give a positive result.

The proportion of animals infected was used to give an indication of the level of infection. This
data suggests if around 50% of animals are infected, as determined by the liver fluke Elisa blood
test, then a live weight response is likely.

More work is required to quantify this issue further but, in the meantime, the Elisa test can be
used to decide whether or not treatment should be given.
INTRODUCTION – BACKGROUND TO THE PROJECT
Liver fluke is commonly found in sheep and cattle, especially in the Tutira area, Northern Hawkes’
Bay. Currently, there is no trial data to assist decision making regarding the treatment of weaner
cattle during the high risk liver fluke period of late summer/autumn, and its effect on live weight
gain.
KEY AIMS – WHAT WAS THE PROJECT TRYING TO ACHIEVE?
The aims of this FITT project were to:

Assess the extent of liver fluke exposure in weaner beef cattle

Determine if there is any benefit in treating young cattle for liver fluke when there is evidence of
infection being present at varying levels

Ascertain whether the extent of liver fluke exposure is correlated with live weight gain when a
fluke treatment is given
METHODOLOGY – WHAT WAS DONE IN THE TRIAL?

Four farms with a known history of liver fluke infection were selected for the trial

Animals were blood tested and checked for Elisa antibodies on Day 1 of the trial. Two of the
farms were negative for antibodies. One of these farms was included in the trial as a “low
infection farm” and the other discarded

On each farm 60 weaner heifers were selected to be part of the trial and divided randomly
into two groups

All animals received their normal round worm anthelmintic treatment and any other routine
animal health products

The “treatment group” also received a fluke treatment (Tricabendazole “Fasinex 10”) on each
treatment day. The amount given was calculated for individual animals according to body
weight based on the label recommendations

Three treatments were administered, and at each yarding the weaners were weighed and
dosed according to individual body weight

A final weighing and blood test was conducted on 1 November 2013

Any animal which missed a weighing/treatment was discarded from the trial.
RESULTS
Table 1: Live weight, live weight gain (LWG) and Elisa blood test results
Weigh date 1
Farm 1
Farm 2
Farm 3
Weigh date 2
Weigh date 3
Weigh date 4
Live
weight
(kg)
Positive Live
Elisa
weight
(kg)
Live
weight
gain
(kg)
Live
weight
(kg)
Live
weight
gain
(kg)
Live
weight
(kg)
Live
weight
gain
(kg)
Positive
Elisa
Treated
218.0
0/10
246.9
28.9
265.7
47.7
292.2
74.2
3/10
Untreated
209.7
246.9
37.2
258.1
48.4
287.3
77.6
Treated
176.5
171.6
-4.9
234.4
57.9
312.0
135.6
Untreated
179.4
173.9
-5.5
238.1
58.8
309.8
130.5
Treated
248.8
220.5
-28.3
214.8
-34.0
279.9
31.1
Untreated
243.0
211.9
-31.1
207.6
-35.4
270.8
27.8
4/10
7/10
Note: Live weight gain (LWG) is calculated from the weigh date 1
6/10
10/10
KEY FINDINGS & RECOMMENDATIONS

Liver fluke Elisa antibodies were found in weaner cattle at two of the three test sites at the
beginning of this trial. At the last weighing, all three farms had antibodies present. The liver fluke
Elisa test (Reichel 2002) is very sensitive at picking up infection but unfortunately gives no
indication of the infection level in individual animals. From this data, it can be assumed the
level of exposure on Farm 3 was greater than Farm 1, with Farm 2 falling within the two

This test will continue to indicate a positive result up to two weeks post-infection, as opposed to
a fluke faecal egg count (FEC) which does not indicate a positive result for at least 8 weeks
post-infection, albeit with very low sensitivity

Farms 2 and 3 showed a positive response to treatment and Farm 1 a negative response

There was also a positive correlation between the response and percentage of animals
infected

More work needs to be done to try and ascertain the level of infection in individual animals and
thus predict a more likely outcome of treatment

It would seem from this limited data set that if over 50% of a group of weaner cattle indicate a
positive result from the Elisa test, liver fluke treatment may be worthwhile

The year this trial was undertaken the area was experiencing severe drought. This is reflected in
the low LWG results in some animals during the early part of the trial. We expected the level of
infection would have been severe as animals tend to fossick for grass in the damp fluke areas
of farms during such conditions

There is the possibility of repeating the trial, with Dr Bill Pomroy of Massey University, while at the
same time trialling a new liver fluke assay to give a better indication of the level of infection in
individual animals.
HOW WILL THE GROUP APPLY THE PROJECT RESULTS TO THEIR
AGRI-BUSINESSES?

Run a “Wormwise” field day in Tutira focussing on liver fluke control in sheep and cattle,
including discussion of these trial results. This would be organised and run by Veterinary Services
HB personnel

Use the Elisa blood test in weaner cattle to determine whether or not liver fluke are present

Use Elisa blood test results to make a more objective decision on whether infected animals
would benefit from treatment

Do a cost - benefit analysis to see whether treatment is economic

The information from this trial will be published in the Veterinary Services HB Newsletter, which is
received by most other veterinary clinics in NZ, who may also publish the information

The information will be submitted as a paper for the annual NZ Sheep and Beef Cattle
Veterinarians seminar and potentially published in their 3 monthly newsletter

Dr Pomroy is working on a predictive model using weather station information which may also
be used in future trial work.
MORE INFORMATION
To find out more about this or other FITT projects, freephone Beef + Lamb New Zealand on 0800
BEEFLAMB or visit beeflambnz.com/fitt
Authors: Mark Matthews and Helen Taylor, Veterinary Services (HB) Ltd
References:
Reichel MP, Performance characteristics of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for the
detection of liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) infection in sheep and cattle. Veterinary Parasitology
107 (2002) 65-72.
This publication is made possible by sheep and beef farmer investment in the industry. It
should be noted FITT projects are not necessarily the result of standard scientific practice.
They are examples of small-scale research investigating a new idea to solve a problem or
develop an opportunity on farm. Many FITT projects are the precursor to further Research &
Development investment. Beef + Lamb New Zealand is not liable for any damage suffered as
a result of reliance on the information contained in this document. Any reproduction is
welcome with Beef + Lamb New Zealand acknowledged as the source.