"What that came down to was that the products available in the New Zealand market only provided protection from infestation with parasites for a few days. New parasites ingested after that complete their life cycle in the animal's gut, causing damage along the way.
"The next treatment is targeted to kill these new infestations when they have reached the adult stage, thus preventing more contamination of pasture.
"Our solution is a product that kills all incoming larvae for plus-or-minus 125 days, thus avoiding the establishment of new patent infestations and the consequent gut damage."
Farmers also felt parasite management was "too time-consuming" and that "time is money".
"I shared their view that there must be a better way that didn't involve having to round up the herd and bring them all in for dosing once a month," she said.
"It needed to suit the New Zealand conditions and complement farm practices and lifestyles."
Stu Moore, manager of Gem Lake Station where tests were conducted last year, is one farmer switching to the capsules.
Of 60 cattle on the Otago property that were part of the testing last year, 30 were given Alpheus capsules, 15 were drenched and 15 were injected. All the cattle were weighed and FEC tested every two weeks.
"The cattle who had the capsules in them gained more weight," Mr Moore says.
"I wasn't surprised at the results, we've seen similar benefits treating sheep in this way. It's just good that we have finally got something for cattle.
"Some may struggle with the cost, but you've got to look at the advantages of not having to bring the cattle in every few weeks. Once the capsule is in, it's in. You don't have to re-drench or reinject.
"With the labour cost savings and the considerably less stress it puts on the cattle, it's well worth it."
Alpheus provides complete protection for +/- 125 days.
"It is more expensive than other parasite treatments," Dr Nicholson says, "but this is more than made up for in the time saved from not having to treat stock every 28 days."
The capsule and primer are designed to be used over the autumn, when the larval flush on pasture is at its highest and the parasite challenge is at a maximum level.
"We believe that gut damage at this time leads to more permanent effects which in turn lead to reduced production." said Dr Nicholson. "Our testing so far has supported our aim that cattle treated with Alpheus Anti-Parasitic capsules will gain weight, which in turn can lead to increased milk production and higher conception rates. This all equals increased profits."
Dr Nicholson says the capsule is being sold as a vet-only treatment.
"We have had a great response from vets so far. They not only see the benefits, but also how they can use the applicator to simultaneously treat other controlled release products, such as zinc for FE and trace elements.
"We are encouraging such practice. It fits our philosophy to try and make life easier for farmers and reduce stress on the animals. The unique Captec technology prevents regurgitation, we've had 100 per cent retention in all trials to date and the unique flat head design of the applicator makes it easy and safer to administer," she says.
Sirona Animal Health has developed the Alpheus Anti-Parasitic Capsules with the assistance of Argenta Pharmaceuticals.
