title: The effect of Amblyomma variegatum on liveweight gain of cattle in Zambia.
abstract: The effect of the tick Amblyomma variegatum Fabricius on liveweight gain (LWG) on yearling cattle over 16 weeks was evaluated under quasi-natural conditions. Early in the exposure period when animals may have been in a state of suppressed metabolism, the effect of tick feeding on LWG was negligible. Overall, however, the difference in LWG between tick-free and tick-infested groups of cattle was 4.95 kg after 16 weeks. This difference between the groups was used to estimate a lower LWG of 48-63 g due to each engorging female tick.
authors: Economics of Ticks Project (GCP/ZAM/029/DEN), Food and Agriculture Organization, Lusaka, Zambia.
authors: R G
authors: RG
authors: Pegram
authors: G P
authors: GP
authors: Oosterwijk
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D008297:Male; D013984:Tick Infestations / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000662:veterinary*; D015430:Weight Gain; D015024:Zambia