Effect of warble fly larvae control on weight gain and hide quality in cattle for beef production

Abstract

Studies are presented to measure the effect on weight gain and hide quality, in cattle reared for beef production, under several conditions of control of infestations from the larvae al Dermatobia hominis (Warble fly). Thirty-nine calves were randomly distributed into three groups, each of thirteen animals, and reared until age for slaughter at two and half years. Two al the groups were treated with the larvicide 0,0 dimethyl, oxy- 2,2,2 – tricloroethyl phosphonate and the third group remained untreated to serve as a control. Of the two treated groups, the animals in one group received an application of the larvicide once every four weeks and in the other group, once every eight weeks. The results showed that in the treated groups larval infestation was very significantly reduced in comparison with the controls. There was no significant difference in weight gain between either the treated groups or the control group. Also there was no significant difference in the quality of the hides in the two treated groups, but the control group was significantly inferior. An analysis of the cost-benefit of treatment is presented.