The incidence of gastro-intestinal nematodes in cattle in New Zealand

Abstract

Extract

Despite the importance of the beef and dairy industries in this country, little attention has been given to parasitic gastroenteritis as an animal health problem in cattle, although McMeekan (1954 McMeekan, C. P. 1954. Proc. Ruakura Farmers Conference Week, : 186–186.  [Google Scholar]) has stated that helminths are most commonly associated with severe unthriftiness and losses in dairy calves after weaning. Apart from a recent report of a drenching trial in cattle (Cairns and Gallagher, 1964 Cairns, G. C. and Gallagher, R. M. 1964. N.Z. vet J., 12: 26–26. [Taylor &; Francis Online] , [Google Scholar]), there is a complete lack of published information on either the importance and prevalence of the disease in New Zealand, or on the host-parasite relationships concerned in the epidemiology of the disease. Similarly the literature is devoid of data relating to the incidence and distribution of the various parasite species.