 |
||||
|
||||
|
|
||||
Studies indicate for the first time that dogs can be a host of the calf-killing parasite Neospora caninum. The studies also confirm a suspicion that dogs can shed the parasite in their feces. A Neospora-infected dog could transmit Neospora to cattle by defecating on pasture where the cattle graze or on or near the cattle's stored feed or hay. In California, where herd infection rates are particularly high, Neospora is the chief culprit in calf abortions, costing the dairy industry about $35 million annually. Until recently, the only known site of transmission was between the cow's placenta and her fetus. But in a series of experiments, scientists successfully recovered different growth stages of Neospora from dogs. They recovered mature parasites as well as juvenile forms encased in oocysts, spore-like capsules that dogs can pass in their feces. On the farm, producers may want to store feedstuffs in closed containers or fence off feedlots or choice pasture where dogs may defecate. No antibiotics are available for treating infected cows. Producers typically cull infected animals -- a practice that can be costly. In puppies, severe Neospora infection causes paralysis and death. Mature dogs generally are more tolerant of an infection. Information courtesy of the Parasite Biology and Epidemiology Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. Beef cattle herd replacements may be raised less expensively without affecting their performance as cows. The key: Reduce their feed and defer some of their weight gain until grass is available during breeding season. In a study that included 1,275 crossbred heifers from seven breeds of sires, the most heavily fed heifers gained about 1.5 pounds per day between weaning and breeding while those fed 20 percent less gained about one pound. Differences between the two groups' rate of gain reversed during the breeding season, when heifers were allowed free access to grass. Heifers that had been fed the moderate level gained 0.4 pounds per day more than heifers that had been on the high level of feed. Depending on sire breeds, heifers differed in their age at puberty, age at calving, milk production and weaning weights of their calves. Prebreeding feed level had no influence on these traits. Information courtesy of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Clay Center, Nebraska. |
||||
|
|
||||
|
|
||||
|
All information is copywrited by Feed Lot magazine and cannot be printed or re-printed
without the publishers express consent. Please contact
Feed Lot Magazine for reprint and copy authorization.
|
||||