Nematode parasite control in weaner cattle on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales

Abstract

An indication of the extent to which parasite infection can limit production in yearling cattle was studied by comparing a monthly treatment with cambendazole with non-treated control cattle. In the same experiment the technique of limiting parasite infections by alternate grazing of pastures by sheep and cattle was studied. Growth rate of monthly treated cattle (0.667 kg day-1) was significantly (P < 0.05) greater than for untreated cattle (0.421 kg day-1) over the 12-month period of the trial. The mortality of 12.5% in untreated animals was avoided by regular treatment. These two factors resulted in a marked financial advantage to monthly treated cattle. Ostertagia ostertagi, as the major nematode involved, produced production losses primarily in the spring and early summer periods. The alternation of sheep and cattle grazing gave an advantage over set stocked cattle in both liveweight gain and financial returns, but did not prevent mortalities in untreated cattle.