Internal parasite levels and response to anthelmintic treatment by beef cows and calves

Albendazole (methyl 5-propylthio-1 H-benzimidazol-2-yl carbamate) was used as an anthelmintic in a 3-yr study involving 578 beef cows and 438 nursing calves. Infection levels for nematodes, coccidia, and tapeworm were relatively low throughout the 3-yr period. Eggs per gram of feces in cows and calves were lower (P less than .01) 2 wk posttreatment but were not different 5 mo later, when calves were weaned. Cow weight gain, rate and time of conception, and adjusted calf weaning weights were not affected significantly by deworming of either cows or calves. Level of nematode infection measured as eggs per gram of feces was higher (P less than .01) in younger cows than in mature cows. Although deworming with Albendazole lowered (P less than .01) nematode infection levels, no responses were observed in cow or calf performance.