Grazing by cattle (as approved under our former HLS Stewardship) has provided ideal management to restore the flora of the Mediaeval pastures of Fromus Valley. But there can be inherent risks for the invertebrate wildlife that we also wish to cherish. For their welfare, the cattle need to be protected from infestation by internal and external invertebrate parasites. The safest effective treatment is by the approved product Ivermectin, administered by subcutaneous injection of 1% solution. Unfortunately, for a while, traces of this highly effective parasiticide are eliminated in the dung and, accordingly, threaten dung beetles (scarabs) and other coprophages that perform an essential task in natural recycling.
On 3rd March, while still in their winter housing, our small herd of British Whites was injected. Our gentle bull Drakkar leads the line for the ‘jab’. The official withdrawal period of Ivermectin in cattle is 28 days. Therefore, when they return to the Fromus meadows at the month’s end, or early in April, cleansed of injurious parasites, the drug should also have been eliminated in their systems – and dung beetles and other scatophages may safely feed on their fresh cowpats!
Many thanks to Phil Baskett, and Charles and Holly Steed, for managing this essential event on a dismal, cold Wednesday.
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