Sarita Bonagurio Gallo, Flávia Mallaco Moreira, Daniela Lázara de Almeira, Amanda de Carvalho, Mônica Márcia da Silva
{"title":"Lambs fed with soy lecithin and its effect on carcass parameters, lipid peroxidation and fatty acid composition of meat.","authors":"Sarita Bonagurio Gallo, Flávia Mallaco Moreira, Daniela Lázara de Almeira, Amanda de Carvalho, Mônica Márcia da Silva","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04409-4","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04409-4","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Forty lambs with 90 ± 5 days of age; 24 ± 3 kg initial BW; were confined in a feedlot for 60 days and assigned two different diets, without or with soy lecithin. The animals were slaughtered, and the carcasses were kept in a cold chamber for 24 h, at 2ºC, and were measured for carcass yield, chemical composition of the meat, lipid oxidation and fatty acid profile. The experimental design was completely randomized, data were analyzed using SAS, and compared with the means by the Student Test at 5% probabilities. The use of soy lecithin improve daily weight gain (kg/d, P < 0.05) and reduced hot and cold carcass yield (P > 0.05), but it did not alter other carcass characteristics with pH, temperature, loin area, subcutaneous fat thickness. The moisture, protein, ethereal extract and mineral of meat has not been altered by the soy lecithin (P > 0.05). The results was same for lipid oxidation (P > 0.05). In the fatty acid profile, only C17:1c9 and C18:2t acids were altered (P < 0.05). The study indicates that soy lecithin can be used safely in animal feed as it does not negatively affect the quality of the meat and carcass of the animal, ensuring the production of food safety for the consumer.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 3","pages":"150"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143754656","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Evyla Laysa G Andrade, José Morais Perreira Filho, Kevily H de O S de Lucena, Lucas S Barros, Analivia M Barbosa, Ronaldo L Oliveira, Severino Gonzaga Neto, Juliana P F de Oliveira, Mozart A Fonseca, Leilson R Bezerra
{"title":"Effects of dietary supplementation with vegetable oils of different unsaturated fatty acids composition on intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance performance, and carcass traits of sheep.","authors":"Evyla Laysa G Andrade, José Morais Perreira Filho, Kevily H de O S de Lucena, Lucas S Barros, Analivia M Barbosa, Ronaldo L Oliveira, Severino Gonzaga Neto, Juliana P F de Oliveira, Mozart A Fonseca, Leilson R Bezerra","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04395-7","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04395-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>We aimed at evaluating the best unsaturated fatty acid candidate (vegetable oil) for blending (dry matter-DM basis) with cashew nutshell liquid (CNSL) to improve feed intake, digestibility, nitrogen balance, growth, and carcass traits in sheep. Forty uncastrated male Santa Ines × Dorper crossbred sheep (n = 8/treatment) weighting 24.44 ± 1.5 kg were used. Animals were randomly assigned to a completely randomized design and received one of the following treatments: a control group consisting of a blend of phenolic lipids (CNSL at 0.5%) and canola oil (a monounsaturated fatty acid source, MUFA, at 1.5%), and four treatment groups with CNSL (0.5%) combined with 1.5% of a high polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) vegetable oil (corn, soybean, sunflower, or cottonseed oil), as DM basis. Feeding sheep with CNSL + canola oil resulted in higher SFA, UFA, and MUFA and lower PUFA's (P < 0.05) intakes. The TDN intake was lower for the CNSL + corn oil diet than the other oils (P < 0.0001). The DM and NDF digestibility were higher for CNSL + cottonseed oil (PUFA) or canola oil (MUFA) diets than other oils (P < 0.05). The CNSL + soybean oil blend promoted a lower urinary N excretion (P = 0.047) in sheep. Growth and carcass traits were not affected by the oil's composition in the blends. The level of saturation was confirmed as such a determining factor in the DM and NDF digestibility since the oil containing the highest concentration of MUFA (canola oil) showed better digestibility compared to other PUFA-rich oils; however, without effect on the performance and feed efficiency of the sheep.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 3","pages":"147"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143754600","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
{"title":"Detection of tuberculous and non-tuberculous mycobacterial species in trans-tracheal washes of cattle and buffaloes with respiratory distress.","authors":"Sudhir Kumar Prajapati, Deepti Narang, Mudit Chandra, Ashwani Sharma, Sikh Tejinder Singh","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04408-5","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04408-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Bovine tuberculosis (bTB) is a zoonotic disease that affects domestic and wild animals, including livestock. The purpose of the study was to detect tuberculous and non-tuberculous mycobacterial species from buffaloes and cattle with respiratory signs and positive intradermal tuberculin test. Eighteen trans-tracheal washes (TTW) were obtained from buffaloes (n = 5) and cattle (n = 13) with respiratory distress. All the collected samples were subjected to microscopic examination, direct PCR screening, and bacteriological culture in Middlebrook7H10 media followed by PCR. One sample revealed the presence of acid-fast bacilli on microscopic examination. Six out of eighteen TTW samples tested positive for the hsp65 gene indicative of the Mycobacterium genus. Two samples were positive through direct PCR and were further identified as Mycobacterium orygis and Mycobacterium kansasii. However, out of the 18 TTW samples, two samples yielded Mycobacterium kansasii isolates on culturing, which were confirmed using species-specific PCR. Our study indicates PCR is a better screening test of the TTW samples for the detection of both tuberculous and non-tuberculous mycobacteria compared to microscopic examination and culturing. The presence of non-tuberculous mycobacteria may affect the results of tuberculinization in cattle and PCR screening of the tested animals will assist in validating the tuberculin test results.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 3","pages":"145"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143754589","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Damilola U Kareem, Adeola V Adegoke, Adedoyin T Amos, Emmanuel A Adeyeye, Olubukola P A Idowu, Lateefat M Akande, Quadri O Abdulgafar, Adebukola T Orbugh, Ayobami T Aboderin, Abimbola O Oso, Olusegun M O Idowu
{"title":"Implementing reduced-protein diets for broiler chickens in emerging economies: supplementation with only the first three limiting amino acids.","authors":"Damilola U Kareem, Adeola V Adegoke, Adedoyin T Amos, Emmanuel A Adeyeye, Olubukola P A Idowu, Lateefat M Akande, Quadri O Abdulgafar, Adebukola T Orbugh, Ayobami T Aboderin, Abimbola O Oso, Olusegun M O Idowu","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04396-6","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04396-6","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study evaluated the effects of reduced-protein diets supplemented with only the first three limiting amino acids (AAs); methionine, lysine, and threonine, on broiler performance, profitability, and nitrogen (N) utilization. Two hundred Cobb-500 broiler chicks were assigned to four dietary treatments in a Completely Randomized Design: a control diet and three reduced crude protein (CP) diets (-1PP, -2PP, -3PP). Diets contained CP levels of 21%, 20%, 19%, 18% during grower (14-28d) and 19.5%, 18.5%, 17.5%, 16.5% during finisher (28-42d) phases. Broilers on up to 2% CP reduction exhibited similar (P < 0.05) or superior growth performance and feed conversion ratio compared to 3% CP reduction. Gross margin was highest (P < 0.05) with up to 2% CP reduction but declined with further reduction. Carcass traits and breast yield decreased (P < 0.05) with CP reduction, though meat quality was unaffected. N intake and retention decreased (P < 0.05), while excretion and other N utilization parameters were unchanged. Nutrient digestibility remained consistent, but apparent metabolizable energy increased (P < 0.05) as dietary CP decreased. These findings indicate that reducing dietary CP by up to 2%, supplemented with the first three limiting amino acids, maintains growth performance, profitability, and meat quality. This approach also reduces environmental N emissions and offers a cost-effective strategy for developing economies compared to reduced-protein diets with additional amino acid supplementation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 3","pages":"144"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11958464/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143754653","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Weslla da Silva Dias, Juliano Martins Santiago, Alisson Herculano da Silva, Damilly de Souza Araujo Pinto, Aryane Ribeiro da Silva, Edson Ferreira de Melo Júnior, Kimberlly Mayara Leite da Silva, João Tiago Correia Oliveira, Safira Valença Bispo, Jorge Eduardo Cavalcante Lucena
{"title":"Production and composition of milk from female donkeys of the Nordestino Ecotype.","authors":"Weslla da Silva Dias, Juliano Martins Santiago, Alisson Herculano da Silva, Damilly de Souza Araujo Pinto, Aryane Ribeiro da Silva, Edson Ferreira de Melo Júnior, Kimberlly Mayara Leite da Silva, João Tiago Correia Oliveira, Safira Valença Bispo, Jorge Eduardo Cavalcante Lucena","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04361-3","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04361-3","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>This study aimed to determine total production and milk composition of female donkeys of the Nordestino ecotype. A sample of 14 donkey females was used in a completely randomized split-split-plot experimental design in which the plots comprised two groups (primiparous and multiparous females), the split-plots comprised nine evaluation periods, and the split-split-plots comprised the daily evaluation times (every two hours). Total milk production was determined by weighing the foals before and after suckling events. The data were submitted to analysis of variance, means tests, and multivariate principal component analysis. No difference (P > 0.05) was found between the groups regarding milk production, daily evaluation times, pH, or milk contents of lactose, protein, and fat. The donkeys produced on average 5.0 kg milk/day, with the highest mean production around 40 days of lactation. The donkey milk samples had pH close to neutral after the 15th day and protein content progressively decreased over lactation. A negative correlation (r = -56.92; P < 0.0001) was also observed between milk pH and protein concentration. Milk fat content followed a behavior similar to that of protein content, while lactose content differed (P < 0.05) between evaluation days, with the lowest concentration found in colostrum. It is concluded that female donkeys of the Nordestino ecotype produce an average of 5.0 kg milk/day and its composition varies over the first six months of lactation.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 3","pages":"143"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143754637","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Glauber da Rocha Balthazar, Robson Mateus Freitas Silveira, Iran José Oliveira da Silva
{"title":"Use of robotics in broiler production systems: a relationship between technology, environment and production.","authors":"Glauber da Rocha Balthazar, Robson Mateus Freitas Silveira, Iran José Oliveira da Silva","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04381-z","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04381-z","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>In poultry farming, robotics is represented by robotic models which perform different functions. Among these functions, ambience is one of the most critical, as the aviary is an artificial environment which needs to present all the necessary conditions for the thermoregulatory maintenance of animals. This paper is a review of the technological status of robotics, ambience and associated technologies in modern poultry farming. A combination of two methodological literature review techniques (systematic and bibliometric) was used to identify how robotics is being used in poultry farming, its relationship with the environment and trends. Thresholds for various ambience parameters (such as thermal, chemical and physical) were evaluated based on data from the literature. Results showed several robots which perform different functions in poultry houses and the environment is characterized as just one of the possibilities and that presents deficiencies due to the lack of high-performance communication, thus preventing assertive decision-making. Most of the research was carried out in the last four years, with China, the United States and the United Kingdom being the countries which published the most. The trends are that computer vision is the most exploited technology in robots related to production automation (e.g. handling and navigation) and artificial intelligence and the internet of things related to robots in the production system (e.g. ambience and information management).</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 3","pages":"142"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-29","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143744075","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
L H Maartens, P N Thompson, J D Grewar, J Picard, B Gummow
{"title":"A cross-sectional study of keratoconjunctivitis among dairy cattle farms subject to Mediterranean climatic conditions.","authors":"L H Maartens, P N Thompson, J D Grewar, J Picard, B Gummow","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04341-7","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04341-7","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The epidemiology of bovine keratoconjunctivitis (BK) is complex and involves several conjunctival microbiota as well as host and environmental factors. Data about BK in dairy cattle are scarce, and even scarcer for dairy cattle in Mediterranean climates. We determined the BK prevalence among dairy cattle in Southern Africa's Mediterranean climatic zone by examining 1,675 dairy cattle across 28 herds. Conjunctival swabs were analysed using real-time PCR. Risk factor data were collected by questionnaire and evaluated by multivariable logistic regression. The BK prevalence was 19.4%, (95% CI: 15.0 - 24.8%). Mesomycoplasma bovoculi was demonstrated in 75.7% of the sampled eyes (95% CI: 62.8 - 85.2%) across all farms. Moraxella bovis (18.3%, 95% CI: 11.9 - 27.0%) and Moraxella bovoculi (8.6%, 95% CI: 4.6 - 15.6%) were detected on 89% and 64% of the farms, respectively. Mycoplasmopsis bovis was rarely encountered. Moraxella bovoculi was significantly associated with BK (OR: 2.7, 95% CI: 1.3 - 5.6, Wald P: 0.01). Prevalence varied significantly by age and breed. Shade availability (OR: 2.5, 95% CI: 1.4 - 4.4, Wald P < 0.01), sanitation frequency, (OR: 0.4, 95% CI: 0.2 - 1.0, Wald P: 0.05), fly burden (OR: 2.1, 95% CI: 1.3 - 3.6, Wald P < 0.01) and introduced cattle (OR: 2.0, 95% CI: 1.1 - 3.5, Wald P: 0.02) were significantly associated with the prevalence of BK. Closed herds with proper biosecurity, fly control via sound management practices, and access to shade are recommended for preventing BK in dairy herds farmed in a Mediterranean climate.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 3","pages":"141"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11937216/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143711467","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Alejandro Zaldivar-Gomez, Beatriz Martínez-López, Gerardo Suzán, Oscar Rico-Chávez
{"title":"Multivariate classification of livestock production systems in Mexico.","authors":"Alejandro Zaldivar-Gomez, Beatriz Martínez-López, Gerardo Suzán, Oscar Rico-Chávez","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04389-5","DOIUrl":"10.1007/s11250-025-04389-5","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The Mexican food production industry spans diverse agricultural and livestock products. Growing demand for animal-based products is driving significant changes in Livestock Production Systems (LPS), including shifts in location, herd sizes, and specializations. Global trade in livestock products has impacted Mexican producers' competitiveness and natural resource demands, raising environmental concerns. Better understanding of production system variations can assist decision-makers in enhancing agricultural sustainability. The study aimed to characterize the different types and distribution of LPSs in Mexico and their key factors. A conceptual model was developed reflecting the elements and interactions within production systems for cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. Input variables were defined using this model, and data were gathered from government and official sources. A Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and a Hierarchical Cluster on Principal Components (HCPC) were used to characterize LPSs and classify states based on this typology. The multivariate analysis identified four production profiles, and the country's 32 states were classified into four distinct LPSs. The typology revealed by these production systems was consistent with traditional definitions previously established in Mexico. We observe changes within cattle and pig production systems, most notably in the adoption of new technology and integration of crop and livestock enterprises. Systemic heterogeneity was evident, with less economically developed states the most likely to display differences in the competitiveness of their production. This analysis represents the first quantitative synthesis of LPSs in Mexico and demonstrates the need for further investigation into their conditions and the factors that influence its diversification.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 3","pages":"140"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-22","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11929715/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143693510","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabriela Castillo-Hernández, Sandra González-Luna, Laura Castillo-Hernández, Glafiro Torres-Hernández, Jorge A Maldonado-Jáquez
{"title":"Pre and post weaning performance of Columbia sheep under an intensive system of the central Mexico: an alternative to enhance meat production.","authors":"Gabriela Castillo-Hernández, Sandra González-Luna, Laura Castillo-Hernández, Glafiro Torres-Hernández, Jorge A Maldonado-Jáquez","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04382-y","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04382-y","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>The aim of this study was to evaluate the pre and post-weaning performance of Columbia lambs under an intensive system in central Mexico. Productive data of 657 Columbia lambs (346 males and 5.3 kg at birth; 311 Females and 4.9 kg at birth) in the period from 2017 to 2020 were considered. Live weight data were collected by sex, birth weight (BW), pre-weaning average daily gain (preADG) and post-weaning average daily gain (postADG), weaning weight (WW), final weight (FW), final age (FA) and mortality percentage data. No significant interactions between year, sex and litter size were found (p > 0.05). Differences were detected among years for all variables (p < 0.05). When comparing males vs. females, the highest values were found in males in almost all the variables (p < 0.05) except for FW and mortality (p > 0.05). The age to achieve final weight was greater in females (p < 0.05). Regarding litter size, singles were heavier and had more preADG than twins (p < 0.05). The phenotypic correlations showed significant (p < 0.05) and positive relationships between 1) BW with preADG and postADG, 2) preADG with WW and 3) FW with FA. On the contrary, negative correlations were detected (p < 0.05) between 1) WW with postADG and 2) postADG with FW. In conclusion, Columbia breed lambs could played an important role to improve meat production in intensive systems in central Mexico.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 3","pages":"137"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143670090","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Gabriel Resende Souza, Beatriz Rezende Gandra de Araújo, Sandra Gesteira Coelho, Ricardo Nascimento Araújo, Welber Daniel Zanetti Lopes, Daniel Sobreira Rodrigues, Lorena Lopes Ferreira
{"title":"First evaluation of the efficacy and operational cost of acaricidal bath combining different droplet sizes, pressures and spray patterns in dairy cows naturally infested with Rhipicephalus microplus.","authors":"Gabriel Resende Souza, Beatriz Rezende Gandra de Araújo, Sandra Gesteira Coelho, Ricardo Nascimento Araújo, Welber Daniel Zanetti Lopes, Daniel Sobreira Rodrigues, Lorena Lopes Ferreira","doi":"10.1007/s11250-025-04378-8","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11250-025-04378-8","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>Rhipicephalus microplus poses a significant challenge to animal health. This study evaluated efficacy and the effective operational cost (EOC) of different acaricidal treatments varying droplet size, pressure and spray pattern using a power sprayer. Three experiments were conducted on dairy cows, with each experiment involving three groups of 10 animals: two treated groups and one untreated control group. In the first experiment, acaricide treatments with the same droplet size (medium) were compared at different pressures (50 and 100 psi) using a full cone spray pattern: E1-M50 and E1-M100. In the second experiment, different droplet sizes (fine and medium) were compared at the same pressure (100 psi) using a full cone spray pattern: E2-F100 and E2-M100. The third experiment compared droplet sizes and spray patterns (fine at full cone and ultra coarse at flat fan) at the same pressure (100 psi): E3-F100 and E3-UC100. All animals received acaricide treatment on day 0 with a product based on organophosphate and pyrethroid. Tick counts were performed on days + 7, + 14, and + 21 to determine treatment effectiveness. Data on bath time were collected to determine the EOC, besides cost with acaricide, labor, water and electricity. No statistical differences (p > 0.05) regarding the mean tick count were observed between treated groups in all experiments. However, the highest efficacy values were found in treatments with larger droplets (medium and ultra coarse) and higher pressure (100 psi). In experiment 1, the efficacy varied from 70.6 to 88.9% and 75.2 to 93.7% for the treated groups E1-M50 and E1-M100, respectively. In experiment 2, efficacy varied from 48.7 to 86.2% for E2-F100 and from 68 to 94.7% for E2-M100. In experiment 3, efficacy ranged from 62.9 to 76.9% for E3-F100 and from 73.4 to 86.5% for E3-UC100. The EOC of the acaricide bath varied between 0.42 and 0.46 USD per animal. The findings show that treatment efficacy and EOC vary depending on the spray parameters used for the control of R. microplus, but further studies should be conducted to determine better combinations of pressure, droplet size and spray pattern.</p>","PeriodicalId":23329,"journal":{"name":"Tropical animal health and production","volume":"57 3","pages":"138"},"PeriodicalIF":1.7,"publicationDate":"2025-03-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143674249","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"农林科学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}