Epidemiological study of nematode infections in a grazing beef cow-calf herd in Mississippi

The epidemiology of gastrointestinal nematodes was studied in a spring calving herd in northeast Mississippi. Pregnant, mixed breed beef cows (n = 15) were placed on a 10 ha fescue/bermuda grass pasture from January 1990-February 1992. In both years, calves were born from February-April and were weaned and removed from the pasture in mid-October. Fecal egg counts (EPG) and generic composition of nematodes in fecal cultures were determined monthly for cows and calves. Estimation of numbers of third-stage larvae on herbage also was determined monthly from March 1990-February 1992. Worm-free tracer calves (2-3 per month) were allowed to graze for 1 month periods and slaughtered for counting and identification of gastrointestinal nematodes. The mean monthly EPG of cows was consistently low (0.23-3.41); EPG of calves increased from spring through fall of both years. Five nematode genera were identified from fecal cultures of cows and calves. Ostertagia and Trichostrongylus spp. were the predominant nematodes in cows, while Ostertagia and Cooperia spp. were predominant in calves. Numbers of third-stage larvae on herbage declined from spring through summer and remained at low levels until late fall/winter, when numbers increased markedly. Eleven nematode species were identified from tracers, but O. ostertagi and Cooperia spp. predominated in most months. Seasonal changes in tracer worm counts coincided with similar changes in counts of third-stage larvae on herbage. Inhibition of O. ostertagi occurred in tracer calves during spring, but did not give rise to a marked increase in egg production in cows during fall.