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ARS Home » Plains Area » Kerrville, Texas » Knipling-Bushland U.S. Livestock Insects Research Laboratory » LAPRU » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #321536
Research Project: Cattle Fever Tick Control and Eradication

Location: Livestock Arthropod Pests Research

Title: Potential economic impact of parasites on the cattle industry of Mexico

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

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/18/2015
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Parasitic diseases remain an important factor affecting the productivity of cattle in Mexico. Economic losses caused by cattle parasites in Mexico were estimated on an annual basis considering the total number of animals at risk and the potential detrimental effects of parasitism on milk production, weight gain, and impact according to federal regulations on livestock byproducts. Estimates in US dollars (US$) were based on reported yield losses among untreated animals reflecting the major effects of six parasitic diseases on cattle in Mexico. The potential economic impact of parasites in millions of US$ included: 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. The annual potential economic losses due to the six major endo- and ectoparasites of cattle in Mexico total US$ 1.41 billion. Considering the national herd registered in 2013 that includes 32.40 million head of cattle, the estimated yearly loss per head was US$ 43.57. Despite the limitations of some of the baseline studies used to derive our estimates, particularly when extrapolated from local situations to a national scale, the general picture obtained from the present effort demonstrates the magnitude and importance of cattle parasitism in Mexico. This situation emphasizes the impact on profitability for the livestock industry without proper parasite control. Integrated parasite control that is based on an agroecosystems approach, and adapted for each of the major ecological regions is recommended to reduce the impact of ecto- and endo-parasites on the cattle industry in Mexico.