Effects of anthelmintics and gastrointestinal nematode infection intensity on growth and production performance and carcass quality in Western Canadian feedlot cattle
Eranga L De Seram, Gregory B Penner, John R Campbell, Sarah E Parker, John S Gilleard, Colleen M Pollock, Samantha Ekanayake, Fabienne D UehlingerLay Summary
This study investigated the effects of different deworming treatments on growth performance and carcass quality of feedlot cattle in western Canada. Three treatment groups were compared: one with no treatment, one with injectable ivermectin, and one with a combination of injectable ivermectin and oral fenbendazole. The objective was to determine if these treatments would improve cattle weight gain, feed efficiency, and carcass quality. The results showed that the different treatments did not affect cattle weight gain or feed intake. However, both deworming treatments improved carcass quality compared to no treatment, with increased marbling in cattle treated with the combined anthelmintics and improved yield grades in ivermectin-treated cattle. Interestingly, even low levels of gut worm infection were associated with poorer growth and carcass quality, suggesting that effective parasite control supports feedlot cattle productivity.