For Oklahoma producer Buck Rich and his veterinarian, Dr. Tyler Thomas, parasite control isn’t about doing more. It’s about doing it better.
Together, they’ve fine-tuned a simple, practical approach to parasite control that helps Rich’s herd stay healthy and productive all year long. Their success comes down to four practices that any producer can adopt: diagnostics, combination treatment, refugia and management.
Diagnostics: Start With the Facts
When Rich notices cattle underperforming, his first move isn’t to reach for more product — it’s to collect a fecal sample.
“You don’t know where to go until you know where you’re at,” explains Thomas, a mixed animal practitioner and owner of Prague Veterinary Clinic in Prague, Okla. “Diagnostics tell us if treatment is even necessary, and whether what we’ve done is working.”
Rich’s operation, Leaning Oak Ranch in Okemah, Okla., includes 2,000 pairs. Like many cow-calf operations, it’s heavily forage-based and parasite control plays a key role in performance.
“We had a group of cows that didn’t look right, and I assumed it was a worm issue,” Rich says. “But fecals came back clean. Diagnostics saved us from reworking the cows unnecessarily.”
That kind of clarity is why conducting fecal egg counts, before and after deworming, is a regular part of their plan.
“Without diagnostics, it’s easy to point the finger at the product,” adds Dr. Jody Wade, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim. “But if you’re not testing, you might be treating the wrong issue or not seeing the whole picture.”
Combination Treatment: Target Parasites in Different Ways
Combination treatment is the practice of deworming cattle by using two or more dewormers from different drug classes. Dewormers can be divided into three different classes, based on their chemical structure and mechanism of action: macrocyclic lactones (endectocides), benzimidazoles (white dewormers) and imidazothiazoles. Each class controls a distinct spectrum of parasites, and for a different amount of time (see Figure 1).
For Rich and Thomas, implementing combination treatment was a game changer.
“We used to rotate products,” Rich recalls. “Now we use a white dewormer and a macrocyclic lactone at the same time. The cattle slick off faster and just look better.”
“Most operations already use a macrocyclic lactone,” Thomas explains. “Adding a white dewormer targets parasites differently. You get more coverage and it’s economical.”
Dr. Matt Washburn, DVM, Boehringer Ingelheim, says combination treatment is one of the most effective ways to slow resistance, while improving outcomes.
“Each class kills different parasites in different ways,” he points out. “When you use a combination of products, you clean up more effectively and reduce the risk of survivors.”
Refugia: Treat the Right Animals
It may go against tradition, but Rich and Thomas agree: Sometimes, the best choice is to skip the deworming treatment. This practice, known as refugia, leaves a portion of the herd untreated to maintain a population of susceptible parasites, helping dilute resistance across the herd.
“We’re wired to treat everything,” Rich says. “But when we’ve held back a few, like Dr. Thomas recommends, it’s worked, and we’re not wasting product.”
Wade notes that skipping treatment isn’t about doing less; it’s about doing what’s right.
“The days of treating everything, every time, are behind us,” he emphasizes. “Refugia takes discipline, but it gives us longevity. It protects the products we have.”
Management: Strong Grazing Supports Stronger Control
Rich is quick to explain that success doesn’t just come from products; it’s also about how grazing is managed.
“We’re not extreme rotators, but we do move cattle regularly,” he says. “We try to leave about half the grass behind each time. It helps the pasture bounce back faster, and keeps parasite pressure lower.”
Thomas adds that forage height matters.
“Most infective larvae live in the bottom two inches of pasture,” he says. “If cattle graze above that, they’re exposed to fewer parasites. And it’s better for regrowth and soil health, too.”
Washburn agrees and adds, “Overgrazing doesn’t just hurt your grass. It increases parasite exposure and slows pasture recovery. Management is a pillar of deworming, just as much as the product in your chute.”
Planning that Pays
For Rich and Thomas, deworming isn’t a stand-alone decision; It’s part of a year-round plan. And that plan flexes with the season, the weather and the cattle in front of them.
“Herd health protocols aren’t static,” Thomas says. “If Buck’s going to keep calves for 10 months, we make a different plan than if they’re leaving in 60 days. It’s about making the product fit the goal, not the other way around.”
Rich’s partnership with Thomas helps him stay ahead of parasite pressure, while reducing unnecessary costs.
“I know I can call Dr. Thomas any time,” Rich stresses. “He understands our operation and helps me make decisions that actually fit what we’re doing. Working with my vet makes all the difference.”
That tailored approach is one reason Leaning Oak Ranch continues to see results year after year.
“It’s about using the tools we have wisely,” Washburn says. “When you put diagnostics, combination treatment, refugia and management together, you’re building something more sustainable — and profitable.”
For Rich, the proof is in the cattle and the next generation.
“This is a family operation. My kids are growing up on this ranch,” he concludes. “I want our cattle to look good now, but I also want this to work 10, 20 years from now. That’s why we do it this way.”
To explore strategies like the ones Rich and Thomas use visit DewormingLegends.com.
