Effect of tick control on liveweight gain of cattle in central Zambia |
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| Authors: | R. G. PEGRAM J. LEMCHE H. G. B. CHIZYUKA R. W. SUTHERST R. B. FLOYD J. D. KERR P. J. McCOSKER |
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| Affiliation: | Economics of Ticks Project (GCP/ZAM/029/DEN), Food and Agriculture Organization, Lusaka, Zambia. |
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| Abstract: | Field trials were carried out during 1982-86 in two different ecotypes in central Zambia to determine the impact of tick control on the liveweight gain (LWG) of cattle. During the first 2 years of the trial a diamidide acaricide (Amitraz) sprayed at weekly intervals caused periodic depression in LWG in young animals. Thereafter a pyrethroid acaricide (cypermethrin) was used. During the 1984-85 tick season infestations of 50-120 adult Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius in untreated animals caused significant reductions in LWG. From the differences in LWG between treated and untreated cattle, the induced loss in LWG was estimated at 46-61 g per engorged female A.variegatum. |
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| Keywords: | Ticks weight gain cattle acaricides Zambia |
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