Ranch-management factors associated with antibody seropositivity for Neospora caninum in consignments of beef calves in Texas, USA.
A study was conducted with a 1998 retained-ownership population of Texas (USA) beef calves to determine the ranch-management practices associated with calf seroprevalence to Neospora caninum. Management practices of 76 Texas ranches that consigned 760 calves to a retained-ownership feedlot program were reviewed from a mailed questionnaire. Ninety-nine of 760 (13%; 95% CI, 9.4%, 17.7%) calves were positive to N. caninum and 59% of the ranches consigned at least one positive calf. In the logistic multiple-regression model which controlled for overdispersion, increased odds of calf-level seropositivity was associated with seasonal calving patterns, with stocking>1cow/calfunit/2.2ha, using a round-bale feeder, allowing wildlife access to the weaning supplement, and self-reared replacement heifers. However, decreased odds of seropositivity was associated with using a cattle-working dog and with using a self-contained cattle feeder. There was substantial overdispersion due to ranch.
Barling
K S
KS
Department of Large Animal Medicine and Surgery, College of Veterinary Medicine, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USA. kbarling@cvm.tamu.edu
McNeill
J W
JW
Paschal
J C
JC
McCollum
F T
FT
Craig
T M
TM
Adams
L G
LG
Thompson
J A
JA
D000822:Animal Husbandry; D000818:Animals; D000835:Animals, Wild; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D003048:Coccidiosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000662:veterinary*; D004285:Dogs; D008297:Male; D018688:Neospora / Q000472:pathogenicity*; D012044:Regression Analysis; D012307:Risk Factors; D012698:Serologic Tests