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Monthly changes in body condition scores and internal parasite prevalence in Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on sweetveld

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Abstract

The objective of the study was to determine monthly changes in body condition scores, body weights and on the prevalence of internal parasites in Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on sweetveld. Body condition scores (BCS), body weights (BW), packed cell volume (PCV) and monthly faecal egg counts (FEC) were determined in 25 Nguni, 15 Bonsmara and 15 Angus steers. Nguni and Bonsmara steers maintained their body condition throughout the study, while the Angus lost condition. The Nguni had the highest PCV levels. The PCV levels tended to decline during the rainy season for all the breeds. The FEC were generally low. Fasciola spp. and strongyle eggs were found in 16.3 and 54.6% of the collected faecal samples, respectively. Of the three breeds, Nguni steers had the lowest parasite infestation levels, with the Bonsmara being more susceptible than the other two breeds. Generally, the egg counts observed throughout the study were low.

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Abbreviations

BCS:

Body condition scores

BW:

Body weights

FEC:

Faecal egg counts

GI:

Gastro-intestinal

PCV:

Packed cell volume

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Acknowledgements

The research was funded by the Kellogg Foundation Project 388, to whom we are grateful. We also thank the management at the University of Fort Hare farm for managing the animals.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa

    T. Ndlovu

  2. Department of Livestock and Pasture Science, Faculty of Science and Agriculture, University of Fort Hare, P Bag X1314, Alice, 5700, South Africa

    M. Chimonyo & V. Muchenje

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  1. T. Ndlovu
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  2. M. Chimonyo
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Correspondence to M. Chimonyo.

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Ndlovu, T., Chimonyo, M. & Muchenje, V. Monthly changes in body condition scores and internal parasite prevalence in Nguni, Bonsmara and Angus steers raised on sweetveld. Trop Anim Health Prod 41, 1169–1177 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-008-9297-0

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