EFFECT OF NEMATODE PARASITE INFECTION ON PERFORMANCE OF STOCKER CATTLE AT HIGH STOCKING RATES ON COASTAL BERMUDAGRASS PASTURES

  • 1 January 1976
    • journal article
    • research article
    • Vol. 37  (4) , 453-464
Abstract
Studies were conducted during the summers of 1971 and 1972 to determine the effects of gastrointestinal nematode parasitism on performance failure of stocker beef steers grazed at high stocking rates on Coastal bermudagrass pastures. Supplemental feeding did not improve weight gains during the early months of grazing (1972), but was of value from Aug. on. The combined effect of supplemental feed and anthelmintic [thiabendazole, levamisole] was most effective in allowing good weight gains and minimizing the effects of parasitism. Use of anthelmintic alone was of little value in regard to growth response and minimizing effects of parasitism. With adequate to good control of the adverse effects of nematode parasitism by treatment with anthelmintics and giving supplemental feeding, it was apparent that the high stocking rate coupled with a tendency of Coastal bermudagrass to have less nutrient quality during late summer, was responsible for failure to achieve projected weight gains in stocker steers. [Ostertagia ostertagi, Oesophagostomum radiatum, Haemonchus spp., Trichostrongylus axei, T. colubriformis, Cooperia punctata, Strongyloides papillosus, Bunostomum phlebotomum, Capillaria sp., Moniezia benedini, Nematodirus sp., Trichuris sp., Eimeria spp., Fasciola hepatica and Dictyocaulus viviparus were found in the cattle.].