Internal parasitism of beef cattle on winter pastures: level of parasitism as affected by stocking rates
Ciordia, H.; Neville, W.E.; Baird, D.M.; McCampbell, H.C.
American Journal of Veterinary Research 32(9): 1353-1364
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0002-9645 PMID: 5094520 Document Number: 37669
Tests were conducted in Georgia during three consecutive winter-spring grazing seasons (1965-1968) to determine the degree of parasitism of beef steers as affected by three stocking rates on winter temporary pasture. Increasingly more nematodes were recovered as the stocking rates were increased. The lightest stocked group (2.3-2.5 steers per hectare) yielded significantly fewer adult, larval, and total abomasal worms than did the medium (2.7-3.1 steers per hectare) and heavily stocked groups (3.1-3.6 steers per hectare). Abomasal worms, mostly larval forms, predominated in all steers. Body weight gains made by the steers decreased as the stocking rates and the numbers of parasites increased. The group with the highest stocking rate made significantly less weight gains than did the steers from other groups with lower stocking rates. Live market and carcass grades were reduced as stocking rates and numbers of parasites increased.