Deworming is a critical component of cattle health and profitability, and Merck Animal Health is emphasizing flexible delivery options through its SAFE-GUARD® product line. At National Cattlemen’s Beef Association CattleCon, Kevin Johnson with Merck Animal Health discussed why effective cattle deworming remains one of the most valuable management tools available to producers.
“Deworming is very critical to being able to allow our animals to perform to their genetic potential,” Johnson said.
He pointed to research from Iowa State University published in 2007 showing that, among available technologies in the cow-calf and stocker segments, deworming is the most profitable technology when used effectively.
“We always look back at some data that Iowa State published back in 2007 that indicates that deworming, as far as all the technologies that we have available in the cow-calf and stocker segment, deworming is the most profitable technology that we can utilize if we do it effectively.”
To support different management styles, Merck offers a broad SAFE-GUARD® dewormer portfolio tailored to nearly any operation. “We like to feel here at Merck, we offer a wide variety of deworming products in the Safeguard family to kind of fit any operation,” Johnson explained.
For producers already running cattle through the chute, the SAFE-GUARD® Oral Suspension provides a convenient option and is available in multiple package sizes to accommodate herds of varying sizes.
However, Johnson noted that the ideal time for parasite control does not always align with chute work. That’s where feed-based deworming solutions become valuable. Merck offers SAFE-GUARD® products that can be incorporated into range cubes in the Southeast and across Texas, or mixed into total mixed rations (TMR) in northern operations where that feeding method is more common.
“We’ve got pellets, we’ve got concentrated product we can mix into the total feed and feed it that way,” Johnson said.
Among the most popular options are SAFE-GUARD® molasses-based blocks, which fit a wide range of operations where cattle are already adapted to consuming tubs or blocks. These products provide flexibility while supporting consistent cattle parasite management.
With strategic parasite control, producers can protect herd performance, enhance feed efficiency, and improve overall stocker cattle health—making cattle deworming a key driver of long-term profitability.
Audio Reporting by Dale Sandlin for Southeast AgNet.