Return on investment (ROI) is a top priority when it comes to a parasite management program, says Jesse Rave, backgrounder from Dell Rapids, South Dakota. Getting calves started on a healthy path is important for a positive return. The calves come in weighing 600 to 900 pounds and are finished out in one of Rave’s two feedlots.
“We used to only work calves once, usually 24 hours after arrival,” he says. Depending on their incoming weight and days on feed, calves would typically receive a generic pour-on dewormer in addition to Safe-Guard® fed in the bunk, an implant, and a 7-way clostridial vaccine.
But after Rave brought in some high-stress cattle last year, he consulted with his Zoetis representative and herd veterinarian about possible dewormer alternatives.
“I first heard about Valcor® at a feed conference and, after talking more with my representative, I thought it was worth a try,” Rave says.
Valcor® (doramectin and levamisole injection) dewormer is administered by injection and has more reliable dosing than a pour-on or oral drench, which can lead to greater efficacy.1 It also combines doramectin and levamisole — two active ingredients with different modes of action in one product to help control susceptible parasites.
“We administered Valcor to the two pens of heifers that looked the worst upon arrival, and those cattle ended up having the best feed conversion,” Rave says. “There was a major difference in animal appearance, too. Their hair coat looked so much better after using Valcor.”
Fecal egg count reduction tests further demonstrated the dewormer’s ROI. “We’ve adapted our protocols to working calves twice and we are using Valcor regularly now, because you can see it on paper,” Rave says. “The ROI is there.”
The experience that Rave had with Valcor is reinforced by several research studies where cattle treated with Valcor had a 99 to 100% fecal egg count reduction when compared with animals that were not treated.2-4
Consult your local veterinarian or visit ValcorTough.com to see how this dual-action, single-dose dewormer can pay off on your operation.
IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION: Do not treat cattle with Valcor within 15 days of slaughter. Not for use in female dairy cattle 20 months of age or older, including dry dairy cows; not for use in beef calves less than 2 months of age, dairy calves, and veal calves. Safety has not been evaluated in breeding bulls. Use with caution in cattle treated with cholinesterase inhibitors. This product is likely to cause injection site swelling; tissue damage (including granulomas and necrosis) may occur. These reactions have resolved without treatment. See full prescribing information at ValcorTough.com/PI.
About Zoetis
As the world’s leading animal health company, Zoetis is driven by a singular purpose: to nurture our world and humankind by advancing care for animals. After innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect, and treat animal illness for more than 70 years, Zoetis continues to stand by those raising and caring for animals worldwide – from veterinarians and pet owners to livestock producers. The company’s leading portfolio and pipeline of medicines, vaccines, diagnostics and technologies make a difference in over 100 countries. A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $9.3 billion in 2024 with approximately 13,800 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.
