Economic efficiency of Rhipicephalus microplus control and effect on beef cattle performance in the Brazilian Cerrado

Abstract

The cattle tick Rhipicephalus microplus causes significant economic losses to cattle production systems and is a main barrier to the introduction of Bos taurus breeds and their crosses in Brazil. These breeds have the genetic potential to generate animals that are more productive, but they are also more susceptible to R. microplus. One of the alternatives for conventional tick control is the use of strategic control, aiming at delaying or even preventing the development of its resistance to acaricides. The present study aimed to evaluate the economic losses caused by tick infestation on the productive performance of two breeds of beef cattle and to evaluate the economic efficiency of tick strategic control and its impacts on beef cattle production systems. Animal weights were obtained from the literature and were used to calculate the weight loss in kilograms (kg) and the economic loss (US$) caused by R. microplus infestation. The cost/loss ratio of performing strategic control was also calculated. The data show that tick infestation causes economic losses to the breeds and groups of animals evaluated and reduces animal performance (weight loss). The results show a loss of US$34.61/animal in the backgrounding phase and US$7.97/animal in the finishing phase for Brangus animals and its crosses. In conclusion, the data show that strategic control is economically efficient for Brangus animals in the backgrounding phase, independent of the methods used for acaricide application.

Seasonal fluctuations of Babesia bigemina and Rhipicephalus microplus in Brangus and Nellore cattle reared in the Cerrado biome, Brazil

“…No significant difference in weight was detected between the two breeds during the experimental period, but a weak negative correlation was observed between the number of ticks and body weight. As reviewed by Jonsson [ 33 ], a negative effect on cattle weight caused by tick’s blood spoliation can be estimated for each engorged female as the loss of > 1 g in weight which, over time, would cause economic loss [ 34 ].…”

Aspectos relacionados con la importancia del uso de modelos predictivos en la producción ovina. Revisión

“…The main biometric measurements (Figure 3) evaluated in sheep are as follows (70) : withers height (WH)from the highest point of the withers to the ground (1); rump height (RH) the vertical distance from the highest point of the rump to the ground (2); body length (BL)from the scapulohumeral joint to the caudal part of the ischium (3); chest width (CW)the measurement between the tips of the scapulae (4); rump width (RW)the distance between the ischial tuberosities (5); heart girth (HG)taken around the chest cavity (6); abdominal circumference (AC)taken around the abdominal cavity (7); leg length (LL)taken from the ischial tuberosity to the ground (8); and leg circumference (LC)taken around the middle portion of the thigh (9). Some studies were conducted to develop linear and multiple equations to estimate the bodyweight of sheep from biometric measurements (65,66,71,72,73) .…”

“…In this context, an adequate methodology for decision-making analysis requires accurate information about the problem as well as efficiency in handling the system, so the planned goals can be achieved (7) . Modelling is a tool that can aid the decision-making process, as it allows decision-makers to evaluate the behaviour of variables and their interrelationships, in addition to using previous or related information to predict results and simulate different scenarios (8).…”

Bioeconomic simulation of Rhipicephalus microplus infestation in different beef cattle production systems in the Brazilian Cerrado

“…Regardless of the technological level, beef cattle production systems in Brazil are fundamentally based on the use of pastures, where more than 80% of the slaughtered animals are finished in grazing systems (ABIEC, 2019). Strategic control through the application of acaricides and based on the tick's life cycle, reduces the population of these parasites, is economically viable, and contributes to the improvement of the genetic potential of more sensitive breeds, making the production system more efficient (Andreotti et al, 2019;Calvano et al, 2019). In addition, the cost of chemical control and the emergence of acaricide resistant populations of R. microplus in the production system (Jonsson, 2006;Higa et al, 2019;Burrow et al, 2019) have contributed even more to the losses caused by ticks (Jonsson, 2006;Grisi et al, 2014;Calvano et al, 2019).…”

“…Strategic control through the application of acaricides and based on the tick's life cycle, reduces the population of these parasites, is economically viable, and contributes to the improvement of the genetic potential of more sensitive breeds, making the production system more efficient (Andreotti et al, 2019;Calvano et al, 2019). In addition, the cost of chemical control and the emergence of acaricide resistant populations of R. microplus in the production system (Jonsson, 2006;Higa et al, 2019;Burrow et al, 2019) have contributed even more to the losses caused by ticks (Jonsson, 2006;Grisi et al, 2014;Calvano et al, 2019). Estimates suggest that the total loss attributed to R. microplus infestation of cattle in Brazil is approximately US $3,2 billion per year (Grisi et al, 2014).…”