Small Ruminant Collaborative Research Support Program. Simulation of the Effects of Parasite Infestation on the Performance of Goats in Northeastern Brazil

摘要

Parasite infestation is a global problem which impairs productivity of goats. Effective control of parasites is difficult due to a large number of interacting variables (e.g.; plane of nutrition, breed resistance, precipitation pattern, drenching frequency and drug efficacy). The objectives of the study were: (1) To utilize H. contortus data collected by parasitologists at the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Caprinos (CNPC) for evaluating the parasite component of the TAES Goat Simulation Model in projecting animal response; (2) to locate knowledge voids related to modeling helminth effects on goats; and to design effective drenching programs which raise the productivity of goats.