NCBA: Tauramox® offers a dung beetle & earthworm friendly option
Breaking down fecal pats is important for the pasture ecosystem
19 March 2025
4 minute read
By: Parasiticides play a crucial role in maintaining herd health, but it’s important to consider their impact on the pasture ecosystem.
Eric Moore, DVM and Director of Technical Services at Norbrook®, recently spoke to The Cattle Site’s Sarah Mikesell to highlight the environmental benefits of Tauramox® (moxidectin) Injectable Solution, a moxidectin-based parasiticide, at the National Cattlemen's Beef Association annual conference - CattleCon in San Antonio, Texas.
One of the standout features of Tauramox is its compatibility with essential soil organisms, particularly dung beetles and earthworms.
"With Tauramox, one thing that we've found is it's dung beetle friendly and earthworm friendly," said Dr. Moore. “What that means to the producer is that the dung beetles aren't decimated and they go to work to break down those fecal pats, and that's an important part of the whole ecosystem.”
As dung beetles contribute to the decomposition of fecal matter, they are facilitating nutrient recycling and pasture health. Traditional parasiticides, such as ivermectin-based products, have been shown to pass through livestock waste, harming dung beetle populations and disrupting this natural process.
Dr. Moore explained the broader consequences of eliminating dung beetles, noting that when manure isn't broken down efficiently, it creates secondary problems.
"If you look at the area of that dung pat, research from the 1960s shows that six times the area, cattle won't graze there because of the odor," he said.
This results in reduced grazing efficiency, with patches of pasture left underutilized while contributing to pest problems.
"It doesn't get recycled into nutrients for the pasture, and if it's not broken down, it serves as a breeding ground for other pests like flies," Dr. Moore added.
Economic and environmental impact research
New research is also occurring, examining the economic and environmental impacts of preserving dung beetle populations.
"What we've never done until recently with some research out of Florida is try to put an economic value on that," Dr. Moore noted.
Previous studies have always looked at how many nutrients producers can get off the pasture.
With the bees and pollinators, they look at the environment and the ecosystem services from within. It’s not just nutrients but defining other factors that work into the whole ecosystem.
The new studies are beginning to quantify the benefits of maintaining dung beetle populations, showing that they contribute significantly to ecosystem services and overall pasture productivity.
“They went back and looked at dung beetles and tried to model that and see what kind of value they can put on an ecoservice along with the whole ecosystem,” he said. "They're finding more and more that there is value there, and they're still exploring how much, but it's pretty significant.”
Additional benefits with Tauramox
Beyond its ecological benefits, Tauramox offers additional advantages for cattle producers.
"Tauramox is moxidectin. It's a generic of Cydectin® (moxidectin) Injection, so if you look back and you look at the weight gain advantage you have with these, then you can have the same advantages here," Dr. Moore explained.
Moreover, Tauramox provides long-lasting protection.
"This also has a residual activity for certain parasites for up to 42 days, so you give it once, and you have a longer effect," he said.
With producers constantly seeking ways to optimize costs while maintaining high standards of herd health, Tauramox provides an economical solution.
"It's going to be at a better cost point – it would be more cost-effective for your operation," Dr. Moore said.
By choosing a product that protects both livestock and the environment, producers can maximize pasture efficiency while reducing long-term costs associated with ecosystem degradation.
Managing ecosystem health
As the livestock industry shifts toward more sustainable practices, products like Tauramox demonstrate that effective parasite control doesn't have to come at the expense of environmental health.
"We're looking at the unintended consequences of our practices and looking at a whole ecosystem to see what effect we have," Dr. Moore emphasized.
By considering the broader impact of parasiticides, cattle producers can contribute to a healthier, more resilient agricultural ecosystem.
For those interested in learning more about Tauramox and its benefits, Norbrook provides additional resources through their website, https://norbrook.com/us/produc..., and Dr. Moore encourages producers to consult with veterinarians and animal health professionals to find the best solutions for their specific environments.
Tauramox is a registered trademark of Norbrook Laboratories Ltd. Cydectin is a trademark of Elanco or its affiliates.
