Influence on weaning weights of nursing beef cattle calves de-wormed 90 days prior to weaning ☆
Abstract
Spring born beef calves (n = 568; 177.7 kg ± 34.0) at three different locations within the state of Florida were used to determine the efficacy of de-worming 90 days prior to weaning in order to achieve heavier weaning weights. Two or three breed types were available at each location and included Angus, Brangus, Brahman, or Romosinuano. Treatments included no de-worming protocol or de-worming of the nursing calf with doramectin injectable (1 mL/50 kg BW). Within a location, cow-calf pairs from both treatment groups were managed identically. Across all locations, de-wormed calves gained more total weight (P < 0.001) and ADG was 6.5% greater (P < 0.001) compared with non de-wormed calves. Our results indicated an animal performance advantage and a positive return on investment from de-worming nursing calves 90 days before weaning.
Keywords
Beef cattle; De-worming; Calves