Durable Parasite Control

Because Eprinex is rain-fast, Gene Horney feels he's getting longer lasting, more effective control of parasites with each application.

Before Eprinex® came onto the market six years ago, Gene Horney always planned treatments with a wary eye on the weather.

"My old parasite treatment gave fairly good control but was water soluble, so a rain could wash away a new treatment," explains the Speedwell, Va., cattleman.

Horney runs 225 Angus cows on his 683-acre farm, producing an average of 200 calves per year.

"I sell them as yearlings straight off the farm," he notes. "Because of this I'm also selling my reputation, so I try to take care of them."

That prideful care includes a complete animal-health program coordinated through Wythe County Service, his local Southern States retailer.

"I view Southern States as a business partner," says Horney. "Russell Fisher and the entire staff at the store really take care of me." Fisher is a field sales associate at Wythe County Service.

Horney says he learned about Eprinex at a Southern States producer information meeting on livestock herd health practices. "These meetings are always a good source of information," he says. "Eprinex was new to the market then [in 1997]; as soon as I heard about it I switched my parasite treatment program to Eprinex."

He says the biggest advantage is that it's rain-fast.

"I can treat my cattle in any weather and not worry about it washing off; that's huge for me."

Eprinex offers other advantages, notes Mitch Webb, senior sales representative for Merial animal-health products, maker of the medication. "Eprinex is more than 99% effective against 39 economically damaging internal and external parasites; it offers more control than any other product," he says. "It's safe to use in all cattle, including beef and dairy cows, with no withdrawal period for milk or meat."

Horney says Eprinex carries a price premium of about 10% over alternative treatments, but he feels it is worth the extra investment. "If it rains after just one treatment with other parasite products, I'd lose much more than the cost difference for several treatments of Eprinex," he explains.

Horney treats all of his calves in the fall as they are weaned and processed through the chute. "I plan to start treating my calves twice a year," he says, explaining how he's further enhancing his health program to qualify for the Sure Health™ calf certification program.

Even without a marketing price bonus, Horney is reaping the benefits of a good health program. "I've moved my calving season up several months, from late fall to late winter through early spring," he says. "Yet my weaning weights have remained steady."

Horney credits his relationship with Southern States as a major reason for his record of improve-ment and success. "I buy just about everything from Wythe County Service," he says. "Sure, I could get some of these inputs at other places, but nobody can match the complete package of expertise and competitive prices offered by Southern States."

Note: Eprinex is a registered trademark of Merial.