Relative economic benefits of tactical anthelmintic treatment and urea-molasses block supplementation of Boer goats raised under extensive grazing conditions at Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa

Vatta, A.F.; Krecek, R.C.; Pearson, R.A. School of Veterinary Studies Division of Veterinary Clinical Science; Smith, M.F.; Stenson, M.O.; Van Wijk, E.F.; Harrison, L.J.S. School of Veterinary Studies Division of Veterinary Clinical Science

Relative economic benefits of tactical anthelmintic treatment and urea-molasses block supplementation of Boer goats raised under extensive grazing conditions at Onderstepoort, Pretoria, South Africa

2008

Vatta, A.F.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute ,University of KwaZulu-Natal) | Krecek, R.C.(University of Johannesburg) | Pearson, R.A.(University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Division of Veterinary Clinical Science (incorporating Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine)) | Smith, M.F.(Agricultural Research Council) | Stenson, M.O.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Van Wijk, E.F.(Onderstepoort Veterinary Institute) | Harrison, L.J.S.(University of Edinburgh Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies Division of Veterinary Clinical Science (incorporating Centre for Tropical Veterinary Medicine))

The potential economic benefits of combining tactical anthelmintic treatment for gastrointestinal nematodes and nutritional supplementation with urea-molasses blocks were examined in Boer goats raised under extensive grazing conditions in the summer rainfall area of South Africa. Eight groups of nine goats were monitored over a 12-month period from 1 October 2002 to 9 October 2003. Ad libitum nutritional supplementation with urea-molasses blocks was provided when the goats were housed at night, during the summer (wet season-December 2002 to February 2003), and/or the winter (dry season-June 2003 to August 2003). All the goats were treated symptomatically for Haemonchus contortus infection when deemed necessary by clinical examination of the conjunctiva for anaemia using the FAMACHA© system. Half the groups were tactically treated for gastrointestinal nematodes in mid-summer (28 January 2003). Under the symptomatic treatment, climatic and extensive grazing conditions encountered during the trial, feed supplementation in the winter dry season had the greatest economic benefit and is therefore recommended. Tactical anthelmintic treatment afforded no additional advantage, but the nematode challenge was low.

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