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Funded Project |
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Funding Program:
Regional IPM Grants (S-RIPM) |
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Project Title:
Validation of Fecal NIRS Technology for Tick Management on Range Cattle |
Project Directors (PDs):
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Lead State: TX Lead Organization: Texas A&M University |
| Research Funding: $27,000 |
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Start Date: Sep-01-2006 End Date: Aug-31-2008 |
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Pests Involved: ticks |
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Site/Commodity: range cattle |
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Area of Emphasis: NIRS technology |
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Summary:
Near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) of feces from tick-infested cattle detects chemical groups absent in the same non-infested animals (pre- and post-infestation compared to infested periods). Our research into the physiology of these changes supports the hypothesis that NIRS is 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 NIRS 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. We therefore propose to move forward with field-based testing to: 1. Evaluate fecal NIRS analyses, immune and endocrine system responses of tick infested cattle under different location, tick species, seasonal and managerial conditions, and 2. Compare new handheld NIRS technology for real-time field applications to traditional bench-top NIRS technology.
Objectives: Our goal is to develop guidelines for use of fecal NIRS for tick management by livestock owners, veterinarians, extension specialists and consultants, and to increase the adoption of IPM practices for ectoparasites of livestock. Lone star and Gulf Coast ticks alone are estimated to cause direct losses in cattle in excess of $218 million/yr in the Southern Region. Improved management of ticks is priority research identified by USDA National Program Staff, Sect 104, National Cattleman's Beef Association, & Texas & Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. This research meets the National Roadmap IPM Program Goals in production agriculture by seeking to improve the cost benefit of adopting IPM practices for range cattle, and by reducing exposure to pesticides. |
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Final Report: |
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Results From report submitted by the PI to USDA CRIS report system PROGRESS: 2006/09 TO 2009/08 OUTPUTS: Differences in near infra-red spectroscopic (NIRS)analysis of fecal samples from cattle grazing tick infested rangeland were detected that identified animals treated with acaricide-impregnated ear tags and supplemented with pour-on treatments for tick and fly control from untreated infested-animals over a four-month period. There were no substantial differences between treatment groups in average body condition score, or in mean % crude protein, % digestible organic matter, % nitrogen, or % phosphorus obtained from fecal chemistries. This study was completed during a period when horn fly activity exceeded the threshold for treatment throughout the study period. Comparison of NIRS fecal analysis obtained from the laboratory-based processing and instrumentation to the portable field-based instrument showed that the portable instrumentation was capable of detecting a separation between treatment groups, however a source of variation attributed in part to positioning of the probe to the sample effects readings from the portable unit and should be addressed in future studies and applications. Results of these studies have been disseminated to extension specialists through workshops on ticks and tick management, and will be further shared with scientists in future journal articles. PARTICIPANTS: Several students with animal science or range backgrounds assisted with working cattle and were trained in identification of common ticks and flies, in estimating tick and fly counts, and obtaining blood samples for the project. This project was assisted by the collaboration of the Office of the Vet-Med Research Park at Texas A&M University. TARGET AUDIENCES: The target audience for this project is cattle producers in an effort to encourage implementation of effective IPM strategies for management of ectoparasites in the context of overall cattle management. The key to this goal is to find and develop more efficient and cost effective means of detecting tick infestations and then monitoring the effectiveness of management tactics without having to gather and inspect cattle. NIRS technology may provide needed improvements toward the adoption and use of IPM for cattle ectoparasite management. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project. IMPACT: 2006/09 TO 2009/08 Comparison of performances of a portable field-based NIRS instrument to the standard laboratory-based instrument identified a need for improved standardization of sample reading with the portable probe. Outcomes from this finding have led to 1.) modified and improved sample reading and 2.) comparison of newer insturment model probes. The impact of a con-commitant horn fly infestation is the need to assess whether biting flies produce similar and detectable differences using NIRS technology. This will become an objective for future investigations. PUBLICATIONS (not previously reported): 2006/09 TO 2009/08 No publications reported this period |
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Outcomes N/A |
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Impacts From report submitted by the PI to USDA CRIS report system Comparison of performances of a portable field-based NIRS instrument to the standard laboratory-based instrument identified a need for improved standardization of sample reading with the portable probe. Outcomes from this finding have led to 1.) modified and improved sample reading and 2.) comparison of newer insturment model probes. The impact of a con-commitant horn fly infestation is the need to assess whether biting flies produce similar and detectable differences using NIRS technology. This will become an objective for future investigations |
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