A field trial of production and financial consequences of helminthosis control in sheep production in Ethiopia.
We used a partial-budget analysis to evaluate profitability of different management strategies of three genotypes of sheep in a 2 x 2 x 3 factorial experiment conducted at Debre Berhan research station in the central highlands of Ethiopia. This involved two anthelmintic-treatment levels (treated vs. non-treated), two supplementary nutrition levels (protein-energy supplementation yes/no) and three genotypes: indigenous Menz (n=40), 50% Awassi x 50% Menz crosses (n=38) and 75% Awassi x 25% Menz crosses (n=31). All sheep were exposed to natural sub-clinical helminthosis challenge. Supplemented sheep were offered a concentrate mix daily on an individual basis. Anthelmintic-treated sheep were drenched with fenbendazole against nematodes and with triclabendazole against trematodes. Data were collected during the experimental period (for 10 months from approximately 1 year of age) on feed intake, live weight, eggs per gram (EPG) of faeces, packed-cell volume (PCV), wool weight, and adult-worm burden. Actual market input and output prices were recorded. Supplemented sheep had significantly higher marginal profit (MP) per sheep than non-supplemented sheep (ETB 33 vs. 4). Likewise, anthelmintic treated sheep performed significantly better than their non-treated contemporaries (MP=ETB 28 vs. 8). The 75% Awassi crosses were least profitable.
Tibbo
M
M
International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Animal Genetic Resources, PO Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. m.tibbo@cgiar.org
Aragaw
K
K
Philipsson
J
J
Malmfors
B
B
Näsholm
A
A
Ayalew
W
W
Rege
J E O
JE
D000383:Agriculture / Q000191:economics; D000821:Animal Feed; D000822:Animal Husbandry / Q000191:economics; D000824:Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena; D000818:Animals; D000871:Anthelmintics / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001562:Benzimidazoles / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002017:Budgets; D005002:Ethiopia; D005243:Feces / Q000469:parasitology; D005273:Fenbendazole / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005838:Genotype; D006374:Helminthiasis, Animal / Q000191:economics* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010270:Parasite Egg Count / Q000662:veterinary; D012756:Sheep; D012757:Sheep Diseases / Q000191:economics* / Q000235:genetics / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000077682:Triclabendazole
D000871:Anthelmintics; D001562:Benzimidazoles; D000077682:Triclabendazole; D005273:Fenbendazole