Potential economic impact assessment for cattle parasites in Mexico review

Authors: RODRIGUEZ-VIVAS, ROGER - Autonomous University Of Yucatan; GRISI, LAERTE - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro; Perez De Leon, Adalberto - Beto; SILVA VILLELA, HUMBERTO - Champion Farmoquímico Ltda; TORRES-ACOSTA, JUAN - Autonomous University Of Yucatan; SANCHEZ, HUGO - Senasica; ROMERO SALAS, DORA - University Of Veracruzana; ROSARIO CRUZ, RODRIGO - Instituto Nacional De Investigaciones Forestales Y Agropecuarias (INIFAP); SALDIERNA, FABIAN - Laboratorios Virbac Mexico Sa De Cv; GARCIA CARRASCO, DIONISIO - Laboratorios Virbac Mexico Sa De Cv

Submitted to: Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Agricolas
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 9/28/2015
Publication Date: 1/17/2017
Citation: Rodriguez-Vivas, R.I., Grisi, L., Perez De Leon, A.A., Silva Villela, H., Torres-Acosta, J.F., Sanchez, H.F., Romero Salas, D., Rosario Cruz, R., Saldierna, F., Garcia Carrasco, D. 2017. Potential economic impact assessment for cattle parasites in Mexico review. Revista Mexicana de Ciencias Pecuarias. 8(1):61-74.

Interpretive Summary: Parasites are organisms that live in, or on another organism called the host. They get their food from, or at the expense of their hosts. Parasites affect livestock health and production. Economic losses caused by cattle parasites in Mexico were estimated on an annual basis. Factors taken into consideration for this assessment included the total number of animals at risk of parasitism, potential detrimental effects of parasitism on milk production or weight gain, and records of condemnation on livestock byproducts. Estimates reflect the potential effect on cattle productivity of six parasite groups. The potential economic impact (US$ millions) was: round worms in the digestive tract US$ 445.10; single-celled parasites living in the intestine scientifically known as Eimeria spp. US$ 23.78; liver fluke US$ 130.91; cattle tick US$ 573.61; horn fly US$ 231.67; and stable fly US$ 6.79. Overall, the yearly economic loss due to the six major parasites of cattle in Mexico was estimated to be US$ 1.41 billion. Considering that the national cattle herd registered in 2013 included 32.40 million head, the estimated yearly loss per head was US$ 43.57. The limitations of some of the baseline studies used to develop these estimates, particularly when extrapolated from local situations to a national scale, are acknowledged. However, the general picture obtained from the present effort demonstrates the magnitude and importance of cattle parasitism in Mexico. Profitability of the livestock industry could be enhanced by adapting sustainable and integrated parasite control strategies.

Technical Abstract: Here, economic losses caused by cattle parasites in Mexico were estimated on an annual basis. The main factors taken into consideration for this assessment included the total number of animals at risk, potential detrimental effects of parasitism on milk production or weight gain, and records of condemnation on livestock byproducts. Estimates in US dollars (US$) were based on reported yield losses in untreated animals. These estimates reflect the major effects on cattle productivity of six parasites, or parasite group. The potential economic impact (US$ millions) was: gastrointestinal nematodes US$ 445.10; coccidia (Eimeria spp.) US$ 23.78; liver fluke (Fasciola hepatica) US$ 130.91; cattle tick (Rhipicephalus microplus) US$ 573.61; horn fly (Haematobia irritans) US$ 231.67; and stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) US$ 6.79. Overall, the yearly economic loss due to the six major parasites of cattle in Mexico was estimated to be US$ 1.41 billion. Considering that the national cattle herd registered in 2013 included 32.40 million head, the estimated yearly loss per head was US$ 43.57. The limitations of some of the baseline studies used to develop these estimates, particularly when extrapolated from local situations to a national scale, are acknowledged. However, the general picture obtained from the present effort demonstrates the magnitude and importance of cattle parasitism in Mexico and the challenges to maximize profitability by the livestock industry without adapting sustainable and integrated parasite control strategies.