Canadian cattle producers no longer have to visit the United States to buy cheaper versions of pour-on parasite control product for their animals.
Alberta Veterinary Laboratories in Calgary has received approval to manufacture ivermectin pour-on for cattle, after four years of trials and submissions to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
It is the first Canadian company to get approval to manufacture a product of this type to control lice, gastrointestinal worms, warbles, sarcoptic mange mites and flies.
“Lice are very common and if you don’t treat for them, you’ll have lice,” said Merle Olson, research director of the new company.
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The product is registered only as a pour-on product for cattle although the company is also researching options for injectable product.
The pour-on version should be applied in spring and fall for greatest impact. Detailed studies showed it does not burn hides or cause other safety problems
Ivermectin can be costly. A five litre jug typically sold for about $500 but the Canadian product is available for around $100, said Olson.
It has been available from veterinarians and farm supply stores across Canada since the beginning of September. One five litre black jug should treat 100 cattle. The dosage and applicators are the same as those for similar products.
“The price in the stores on the competitor product has already dropped about 25 percent,” Olson noted.
Product guarantee
Distributor Bob Taylor of Compass Animal Health in Edmonton said manufacturers of cattle insect control products provide a guarantee and will follow up if a customer complains.
“Usually the problem is they are not using enough product,” he said.
“With the price coming down, people will probably dose properly.”
Olson said imported product often does not contain ester, a chemical that aids in absorption through the skin and into the bloodstream.
“That is the problem with some of the stuff coming across the border, no ester. It doesn’t work if you don’t have ester because it doesn’t get into the blood,” Olson said.
Inclusion of ester was part of the regulatory and approval process for the Canadian-made product. It is being produced in Calgary.
The plant imports 100 kilograms each week of the active chemical, ivermectin, and blends it with other ingredients. It is running six days a week to meet demand in stores and clinics.
