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Title: Reassessment of the potential economic impact of cattle parasites in Brazil

Author
item GRISI, LAERTE - Universidade Federal Do Rio De Janeiro
item CERQUEIRA LEITE, ROMARIO - Universidade Federal De Minas Gerais
item DE SOUZA MARTINS, JOAO RICARDO - Champion Farmoquímico Ltda
item MEDEIROS DE BARROS, ANTONIO THADEU - Embrapa
item ANDREOTTI, RENATO - Embrapa
item DUARTE CANCADO, PAULO HENRIQUE - Embrapa
item Perez De Leon, Adalberto - Beto
item BARROS PEREIRA, JAIRO - Champion Farmoquímico Ltda
item SILVA VILLELA, HUMBERTO - Champion Farmoquímico Ltda

Submitted to: Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 3/19/2014
Publication Date: 6/30/2014
Citation: Grisi, L., Cerqueira Leite, R., De Souza Martins, J., Medeiros De Barros, A., Andreotti, R., Duarte Cancado, P., Perez De Leon, A.A., Barros Pereira, J., Silva Villela, H. 2014. Reassessment of the potential economic impact of cattle parasites in Brazil. Brazilian Journal of Veterinary Parasitology. 23(n.2):150-156.

Interpretive Summary: Brazil has the largest economic cattle herd in the world. In 2011 the national herd comprised 212 million head of cattle distributed in 8 million square kilometers. Internal and external parasites are a major cause of economic loss in livestock production systems. Economic losses associated with external parasites of cattle were estimated in 2002. Those figures were revised in this publication, and estimates for the economic impact of gastrointestinal nematodes were included. Estimates were calculated on an annual basis considering the total number of animals at risk and the expected detrimental effects of parasitism on cattle productivity. Estimates in U.S. dollars are based on known yield losses in untreated animals and reflect some of the effects of parasitic diseases. Here, they are referred to as potential losses. Relevant parasites that affect cattle welfare and productivity in Brazil, and their economic impact in USD billions include: gastrointestinal nematodes - $7.1; the southern cattle tick - $3.2; horn fly - $2.5; tropical warble fly - $0.3; New World screwworm fly - $0.3; and the stable fly - $0.3. The combined annual economic loss due to internal and external parasites of cattle in Brazil listed here was estimated to be at least USD 13.9 billion. These findings are discussed in the context of methodologies and research required, like that involving the effects of veterinary parasiticide resistance, to improve the accuracy of such economic impact assessments. This information needs to be considered by decision makers to influence research and regulatory programs to develop policies for sustainable animal agriculture that mitigate the impact of parasites on the profitability of Brazilian cattle producers.

Technical Abstract: The profitability of livestock producers can be diminished significantly by the effects of parasites that affect cattle. Economic losses caused by parasites of cattle in Brazil were estimated on an annual basis considering the total number of animals at risk and the expected detrimental effects of parasitism on cattle productivity. Estimates in U.S. dollars are based on known yield losses in untreated animals and reflect some of the effects of parasitic diseases. Here, they are referred to as potential losses. Relevant parasites that affect cattle welfare and productivity in Brazil, and their economic impact in USD billions include: gastrointestinal nematodes - $7.1; cattle tick (Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) microplus) - $3.2; horn fly (Haematobia irritans) - $2.5; tropical warble fly (Dermatobia hominis) - $0.3; New World screwworm fly (Cochliomyia hominivorax) - $0.3; and the stable fly (Stomoxys calcitrans) - $0.3. The combined annual economic loss due to internal and external parasites of cattle in Brazil listed here was estimated to be at least USD 13.9 billion. These findings are discussed in the context of methodologies and research required, like that involving the effects of veterinary parasiticide resistance, to improve the accuracy of such economic impact assessments. This information needs to be considered by decision makers to influence research and regulatory programs to develop policies for sustainable animal agriculture that mitigate the impact of parasites on the profitability of Brazilian cattle producers.