Effect of controlling natural field- XXXX on the growth of N'Dama and Gobra @entity7040 in the Gambia.

@entity25871 @entity9187 @entity24387 @entity277 @entity7040 @entity743 @entity291 @entity7545
The effect of @entity277 on liveweight gain (LWG) was assessed by comparison of weight changes in @entity24387 -treated N'Dama and Gobra @entity7040 (16-20 months old) with respective control groups submitted to natural tick challenge over 1 year. @entity24387 was applied monthly, fortnightly or weekly. Preventive treatments against @entity9187 , @entity743 and trypanosomosis were given. Mortality rate was recorded and post-mortem examinations carried out. In both treated and control animals, significantly fewer Hyalomma spp. and Amblyomma variegatum were found on N'Dama than on Gobra @entity7040 . Both breeds are equally susceptible to @entity277 . Total annual tick burdens did not cause significant differences in LWG between acaricide-treated and control @entity291 in either breeds. LWG was also not affected during or after the annual peak of @entity277 (composed mainly by A. variegatum and @entity25871 ). Equally-high mortality (35%), due to unidentified causes, was recorded in acaricide-treated and control Gobra @entity291 ; mortality in N'Dama @entity291 was 7.5%. In both breeds, about the 90% of mortality occurred at the end of the dry season. Breed differences in tick burden confirm previous results. If @entity7545 do not influence LWG or mortality, then it is concluded that intensive tick control is not justifiable in Gambian livestock.
