Gastrointestinal nematode infections and weight gain in dairy replacement stock: first-year calves

For the evaluation of control strategies against, and economic impact of gastrointestinal nematode infection, the quantitative relationship between level of exposure to infection and growth performance is important. Available data in the literature are summarised. Based on questions derived from earlier work concerning the relationships between infection, growth performance and acquired immunity during the entire rearing period, two experiments were set up. In these experiments, groups of calves were exposed to different levels and patterns of infection with Ostertagia ostertagi and Cooperia oncophora. The experimental design simulated the stereotypic pattern of herbage infestation under conditions of set-stocking. A significant negative linear relationship between the level of exposure and growth performance was found (P < 0.001). The time sequences observed for body weight changes in response to infection and the magnitudes of the effects of infection on weight gain in both experiments suggested a good predictability of the relationship between infection and growth performance. By comparison, it is also suggested that in the Netherlands parasite is excessive in the first grazing season. A more limited use of anthelmintic treatments is proposed.