The current state of gastrointestinal parasitism in organic beef cattle in the Maritimes

Margaret Graves¹, Silvina Fernández², Andrew Hammermeister¹

Abstract
Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) of cattle are among the most economically damaging parasites around the world. Although the epidemiology of GIN has been investigated elsewhere, there is a lack of data pertaining to the Maritime region and especially to organic systems.

This descriptive study characterizes the GIN levels of infection in first-year grazing organic beef calves on pasture, showing the patterns and interactions between these two parameters. Calves on four organic farms, three in New Brunswick and one in Nova Scotia, were used in the study during the 2006 grazing season. Faecal samples were taken monthly from 10 randomly selected calves and used for faecal egg counts (FEC) and identification of infective larvae (L3). Forage samples were taken monthly in order to recover, count and identify L3 on pasture.

The FEC showed patterns of infection levels in calves and the pasture contamination rate, while the L3 on forage showed the pasture infectivity curve. Peaks in FEC occurred early in the season, while pasture infectivity was highest towards the end. Variations in these two parameters between farms were primarily due to different management practices. GIN was found at subclinical levels and showed similar patterns in organic cattle as in conventional herds.


Source
Organic Agriculture Research Symposium held at the 26th Guelph Organic Conference, University of Guelph, January 2007


Author Locations & Affiliations
(1) Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, Nova Scotia Agricultural College, P.O. Box 550, Truro, NS B2N 5E3
(2) Organic Agriculture Centre of Canada, c/o Dept. Pathobiology, Ontario Veterinary College, University of Guelph, Guelph, ON N1G 2W1


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Posted February 2007