Agricultural News
Effects of Deworming and Late Summer Protein Supplements are Additive
Wed, 11 Jul 2012 14:09:16 CDT
In the latest edition of the Cow-Calf Newsletter, Oklahoma State University Extension Animal Scientist Emeritus Glenn Selk reviews the value of administering protein supplements and dewormers in late summer:
Oklahoma State University beef nutritionists studied the effects of deworming and protein supplementation during late-summer on performance of fall-born heifers grazing native warm-season pastures. Forty Angus and Angus x Hereford heifers (average age = 270 days) were assigned to receive one of four treatment combinations: 1) no supplement, no dewormer; 2) supplement, no dewormer; 3) no supplement, dewormed; and 4) supplement, and dewormed. The dewormer treatment (Ivermectin, 1% solution containing 10% clorsulon) was applied on July 25 and again on August 26. Protein supplemented heifers received the equivalent of 1 pound per head per day of cottonseed meal (41% crude protein, as fed basis) for 84 days beginning on July 29. Fecal egg counts were obtained from 5 heifers within each treatment combination at 28-day intervals. Fecal egg shedding was lower in dewormed heifers throughout the treatment period.
Both protein supplementation and deworming treatment resulted in improved weight gains during the treatment period. Late summer de-worming increased average daily gain by 0.29 lb/day. Feeding 1 pound of cottonseed meal increased average daily gain by 0.49 lb/day. Combining deworming and protein supplement increased daily gain by 0.76 lb/day.
The effects of protein supplementation and deworming are additive. However, some, although not all, of the additional weight gain due to supplementation was lost during the winter when heifers received a maintenance diet. Added weight gain that was attributed to deworming heifers the previous summer was not lost during the winter.
You can view the full research report by clicking here.
WebReadyTM Powered by WireReady® NSI
Top Agricultural News
More Headlines...
