Lice problems in October usually start quietly. You might notice a few calves rubbing on a fence or see some hair stuck to a post. Maybe one thin cow looks rougher than the others. If you see bare patches, lice have probably already gotten ahead.This is why October is important in West Texas and the Southern Plains. Nights get cooler, but afternoons are still warm. Cattle start growing winter coats and gather closer around feed. Fall processing also brings many herds through the chute, giving you a good chance to check cattle before thick hair makes it harder to see their skin.
Don’t treat every cow just because it’s October. Check early to see if lice are actually present, decide if the group needs treatment, and pick a product that matches the problem. This helps stop a small fall issue from turning into a big problem by January.
