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Funded Project

Funding Program: Regional IPM Grants (S-RIPM)

Project Title: Application of NIRS Fecal Analysis for Tick Management on Range Cattle

Project Director (PD): Jerry Stuth [1]

Lead State: TX Lead Organization: Texas A&M University

Research Funding: $60,755

Start Date: Aug-15-2004 End Date: Aug-14-2006

Pests Involved: tick

Site/Commodity: cattle

Summary: USDA, SR-IPM Program Category: Research. Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) of feces from tick-infested cattle detects and identifies chemical groups absent in the same non-infested animals (pre- and post-infestation compared to infested periods). MRS may be detecting changes in digestive uptake in response to the stress of tick parasitism as modulated by interactions of the immune and endocrine systems. We hypothesize that hIIRS offers a potential decision aid for IPM strategies against ticks that is non-intrusive, economically beneficial and a managerial incentive for adoption of IPM practices. This project will investigate this hypotheses through the following objectives: 1) Determine how tick and nutritional stress effect MRS fecal profiles in cattle, and 2) Evaluate performance of MRS for pest detection and IPM program monitoring on tick infested range cattle. The lone star tick, Amblyomma americanum, and the Gulf Coast tick, Amblyomma maculatum, are annual pests of range beef cattle in the Southern Region. Direct economic losses to tick parasitism of cattle have been estimated to be in excess of $218 million/yr. Production losses to tick parasitism accrue through bloodloss, irritation, poor rates of gain, weightloss, loss in body condition, and diminished reproductive capacity. The ' impact and management of ticks on the growth, health and well-being of pastured cattle is a priority research need identified in the Strategic Research Plan of the Southern Region SAES, and also as a priority research need identified by the USDA National Program Staff, Section 104. Objectives: 1) Determine how tick and nutritional stress effect MRS fecal profiles in cattle, and 2) Evaluate performance of MRS for pest detection and IPM program monitoring on tick infested range cattle.

Final Report:

Results PROGRESS: 2004/08 TO 2006/08 Exteral parasite burdens have been reported to depress dry matter intake in cattle while influencing metabolic indicators such as IGF-1. The adverse effects of a tick-burden could be amplified in animals consuming a low quality diet, as might be expected under range conditions. This project evaluated 28 growing beef steers randomly assigned to one of four treatments in a 2x2 factorial experiment: moderate(14% CP, 60% TDN)vs low (7%CP, 58%TDN) plane of nutrition, and tick infested (300 pair of lone star ticks) vs control (no ticks). Steers were fed respective diets for 35 days prior to, and 21 days following the start of tick infestation (day 0), with peak tick feeding occuring 10-14 days post tick infestation. Fecal samples were collected daily and frozen for analysis, and blood was sampled on days -7,0,7,8,9,10,11,13,17, and 21, and analyzed for IGF-1 by radio-immuno assay. There was no difference in animal weight at day -35, but on day 0 steers on the moderate diet weighed more than those on the low diet, and by day 21 the difference in weights were even more pronounced. DMI was greater (P<0.05) in moderate than low plane of nutrition (PON) and also greater in tick control than in tick infested cattle. Within PON, DMI was greater (P<0.05)in tick control than in tick infested cattle for both moderate and low PON. IGF-1 was greater (P<0.05) in moderate than low PON and in tick control compared to tick infested animals. Within the moderate PON, there was no difference in IGF-1 between tick infested and control animals. However, within the low PON, IGF-1 was greater (P<0.05) in tick control animals than in tick infested animals. During peak tick feeding (days 10-13) IGF-1 was greater (P<0.05) in tick control than in tick infested animals. Fecal samples from low PON animals had increased (P<0.05) DM and OM compared to those from moderate PON animals. There were no differences in fecal DM or OM between tick control and infested animals. Within PON, fecal DM and OM was greater (P<0.05) for tick control animals than for tick infested animals. There were no differences for DM and OM between tick control and infested animals. There were no observed differences in pH among and between PON and treatment groups. Tick burden affected dietary intake and metabolism in growing cattle and was exacerbated by a low plane of nutrition. Fecal DM and OM were similarly affected by PON or tick treatment. Fecal analysis by NIRS has been completed and further analyses of interactions between fecal chemistry and blood parameters are pending. IMPACT: 2004/08 TO 2006/08 We expect to determine the interaction of parasite stress and nutrition on growing cattle, and to determine if fecal or blood paramters can be used to monitor these effects. If successful, these techniques could be applied to management recommendations and/or treatment monitoring in free ranging cattle. PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2004/08 TO 2006/08 1. S. Prince, D. Tolleson, J. Gallino, K. Banik, P. Teel, O. Strey, G. Carstens, T. Welsh, K. Dean, J. Stuth. 2006. Plane of nutritiion by tick burden interaction in cattle: Effect on fecal composition. Abstract. Journal of Animal Science 84:13 (Suppl. II). 2. J. Gallino, D. Tolleson, T. Welsh, L. Jonowich, G. Carstens, P. Teel, O. Strey, S. Prince, K. Dean, J. Stuth. 2006. Plane of nutrition by tick burden interaction in cattle: Effect of body weight, dry matter intake, and plasma IGF-1. Abstract. Journal of Animal Science 84:13 (Suppl. II). 3. D.R. Tolleson, P.D. Teel, J.W. Stuth, O.F. Strey, T.H. Welsh, Jr., and G. Carstens. 2006. Fecal NIRS: Detection of ticks in cattle and horses. Veterinary Parasitology (In Press).

Outcomes N/A

Impacts From report submitted by the PI to USDA CRIS report system We expect to determine the interaction of parasite stress and nutrition on growing cattle, and to determine if fecal or blood paramters can be used to monitor these effects. If successful, these techniques could be applied to management recommendations and/or treatment monitoring in free ranging cattle

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