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Helminth Control as a Part of Animal Welfare Measure Protocol in Grazing Cattle in Slovenia

Author

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  • Ožbalt Podpečan

    (National Centre for Animal Welfare, Clinic for Reproduction and Large Animals, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Melita Hajdinjak

    (Laboratory of Applied Mathematics and Statistics, Faculty of Electrical Engineering, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

  • Janez Posedi

    (Unit for Parasitology, Institute of Microbiology and Parasitology, Veterinary Faculty, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

The national regulation on animal welfare measure under the Rural Development Programme 2014–2022 identified grazing and helminth control as important measures to improve the welfare of cattle in Slovenia. The aim of the study was to evaluate these measures in terms of improving animal welfare and helminth control. Compositional fecal samples for coprological analysis were collected in the region of central Slovenia. Samples were qualitatively analysed for the presence of endoparasites using the flotation and sedimentation methods. During a seven-year period, 4480 compositional fecal samples were collected from cattle herds in the central Slovenia. In all seven years, the most prevalent helminths at the cattle herd level were Strongylida (ranging from 45.49% to 74.22%) and Paramphistomum sp. (ranging from 21.12% to 28.46%). After the treatments against helminths in grazing cattle, the prevalence of positive herds decreased from 83.63% to 63.64%. The calculated cross-correlation values showed significant positive association of the percentage of helminth-positive cattle herds with the prevalence of Fasciola hepatica (0.975), Nematodirus sp. (0.859), Strongylida (0.986), Strongyloides sp. (0.879) and Trichuris sp. (0.835). Hence, the efficient helminth control and improved animal welfare, as well as financial support of 53.40 EUR per livestock unit, contributed to a positive outcome of the programme.

Suggested Citation

  • Ožbalt Podpečan & Melita Hajdinjak & Janez Posedi, 2023. "Helminth Control as a Part of Animal Welfare Measure Protocol in Grazing Cattle in Slovenia," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 13(5), pages 1-11, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:13:y:2023:i:5:p:1038-:d:1144098
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Eric R. Morgan & Johannes Charlier & Guy Hendrickx & Annibale Biggeri & Dolores Catalan & Georg Von Samson-Himmelstjerna & Janina Demeler & Elizabeth Müller & Jan Van Dijk & Fiona Kenyon & Philip Skuc, 2013. "Global Change and Helminth Infections in Grazing Ruminants in Europe: Impacts, Trends and Sustainable Solutions," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 3(3), pages 1-19, August.
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