Oklahoma Rancher Finds Success in Holistic Parasite Control

Grazing management, herd health, and strategic deworming help maximize profitability.

Apr. 7, 2026 at 11:27pm

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a collection of polished, geometric objects representing the various components of a holistic cattle parasite control program, including a grazing meter, a syringe, a bottle of EPRINEX dewormer, and a healthy grass sample, arranged elegantly on a clean, monochromatic background with dramatic lighting to convey the abstract concepts of pasture management, herd health, and strategic deworming.A conceptual still life highlighting the interconnected elements of a comprehensive cattle parasite control strategy.Prague Today

For Oklahoma cow-calf producer Buck Rich, good deworming doesn't end in the chute. It continues in the pasture, where grazing, forage height and herd health play just as big a role in parasite control as the products they use. Rich and his veterinarian, Dr. Tyler Thomas, have fine-tuned a proactive approach that keeps cattle productive and pastures thriving through smart grazing, year-round herd management, and strategic use of deworming products.

Why it matters

Parasites can have a significant economic impact on cattle operations, from treatment costs to lost productivity. By taking a holistic approach to parasite control that focuses on pasture management, herd health, and strategic use of dewormers, producers can maximize profitability and protect the long-term effectiveness of available deworming products.

The details

Rich and Dr. Thomas focus on keeping pastures healthy through careful grazing management, avoiding overgrazing and keeping cattle above the bottom four inches of forage where most infective larvae reside. They also emphasize year-round herd health through vaccination protocols, low-stress handling, and quarantining new arrivals. When needed, they strategically use products like EPRINEX, a no-withdrawal pour-on dewormer, to clean up cattle before marketing. This holistic approach helps maximize the profitability of the operation's cattle gains while also preserving the effectiveness of available deworming tools.

  • Rich and Dr. Thomas have been fine-tuning their parasite control approach for several years on Rich's 2,000-pair operation in Oklahoma.
  • The article was published on April 7, 2026.

The players

Buck Rich

An Oklahoma cow-calf producer who manages 2,000 pairs on pasture at Leaning Oak Ranch.

Tyler Thomas, DVM

The owner and operator of Prague Veterinary Clinic in Prague, Oklahoma, and Rich's veterinarian.

Matt Washburn, DVM

A veterinarian with Boehringer Ingelheim who provides expertise on sustainable deworming practices.

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What they’re saying

“'For me, parasites equal economics. I look at the economic impact they have on our operation, everything from treating them to the damage they cause.'”

— Buck Rich, Cow-calf Producer

“'We know the vast majority of infective larvae are in the bottom four inches of forage. If you keep your cows grazing above that, they're not picking up nearly as many parasites.'”

— Tyler Thomas, DVM, Veterinarian

“'Good management isn't a one-time decision. It's every choice you make throughout the year that adds up to healthier cattle.'”

— Tyler Thomas, DVM, Veterinarian

What’s next

Rich and Dr. Thomas plan to continue monitoring their herd's parasite levels and adjusting their grazing and deworming strategies as needed to maintain a healthy, productive operation.

The takeaway

By taking a comprehensive approach to parasite control that focuses on pasture management, herd health, and strategic use of deworming products, producers like Buck Rich can maximize the profitability of their cattle operations while also preserving the long-term effectiveness of available deworming tools.