The scarcity of research on animals raised on feedlots combined with the need for greater awareness of parasitic diseases led researchers from the University of Fort Hare (UFH) and colleagues from the Department of Rural Development and Agrarian Reform (DRDAR) in the Eastern Cape, to design a research study published in the journal Frontiers in Animal Science.
Research Methodology
This study by UFH researchers, Beautiful Isabel Mpofu, Dr. Mhlangabezi Slayi, and Dr. Ishmael Festus Jaja from , and colleagues from the DRDAR in the Eastern Cape, Dr. Gabriel Mutero, and Sisipho Mlahlwa, aimed at comparing parasite egg loads per gram (EPGs), body condition scores (BCS), and weight gain in cattle raised on feedlots versus those raised on pastures.
It examined 120 cattle of different ages, sex groups, and breeds from different farms slaughtered at two commercial abattoirs in East London and Queenstown.
Key Findings and Results
The research team found that EPGs in cattle raised on pastures were significantly higher than those in feedlot-raised cattle, confirming findings from previous studies. This suggests that cattle raised on pastures are more likely to encounter parasitic infections due to grazing habits and greater exposure to the natural environment.
However, at one of the abattoirs, the farm of origin for feedlot cattle had a significant impact on scores for both EPG and BCS. The higher parasite egg count values in non-feedlot cattle may also be linked to the fact that these abattoirs process cattle from communal farmers who often lack access to adequate veterinary care and infrastructure for disease control.
Conclusion and Future Implications
All this means that the differences in body condition scores between feedlot and non-feedlot cattle could be attributed to varying feeding regimes, management practices, and parasite loads. Given that South Africa supplies 21.4% of the meat consumed on the African continent and 1% of the global meat supply, research into the effects of feedlot practices on animal production is of enormous importance.
While the Fort Hare research team acknowledges that further research is needed, their study provided valuable insights into the relationship between fecal egg counts, live weights, and body condition scores in both feedlot and non-feedlot cattle. In doing this, the research contributes significantly to understanding and enhancing livestock farming practices and ensuring the continued growth and sustainability of South Africa’s agricultural sector.
Link to the full article here
Source: UFH 2024 Research Report
