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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Booneville, Arkansas » Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #379275
Research Project: Sustainable Small Farm and Organic Grass and Forage Production Systems for Livestock and Agroforestry

Location: Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center

Title: Use of diatomaceous earth and copper oxide wire particles to control gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs

Author
item JONES, OLIVIA - University Of Arkansas
item Burke, Joan
item MILLER, JAMES - Louisiana State University
item ROSENKRANS, CHARLES - Clemson University

Submitted to: Journal of Animal Science
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/1/2019
Publication Date: 11/28/2020
Citation: Jones, O., Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Rosenkrans, C. 2020. Use of diatomaceous earth and copper oxide wire particles to control gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs. Journal of Animal Science. 98:72. https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz397.168.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jas/skz397.168

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Anthelmintic resistance urges alternatives to control gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Copper oxide wire particles (COWP) are more efficacious when used with dewormers and little is known on efficacy of diatomaceous earth (DE) to control GIN. The objective was to examine the effects of DE and COWP on GIN control. Katahdin lambs (n = 32; ~150 d of age; 25.0 ± 1.8 kg) were randomly assigned to receive: 1) 2% dietary DE, 2) 1g COWP, 3) both 2% DE and 1g COWP, and 4) neither DE or COWP. Feces and blood were collected on d 0, 7, 14, 21 and 28 to determine fecal egg counts (FEC) and blood packed cell volume (PCV). Feces were cultured to determine GIN genera. FEC were log transformed; data were analyzed as a 2 x 2 factorial using proc mixed with day as repeated (SAS). There was a mixed GIN population including 58% Haemonchus contortus and 30% Trichostrongylus spp. FEC tended to be lower by d 28 in DE (175 eggs/g) than no DE (753 eggs/g) fed lambs (P = 0.09), but in general, were relatively low and no other differences among treatments detected. PCV tended to be higher in COWP than no COWP lambs by d 28 (P = 0.10), and no other differences detected. In conclusion, during a low GIN challenge, there may have been a small effect of DE on FEC, but no advantage observed in combination treatment.