External Parasites on Beef Cattle

Abstract

Arthropod pests limit production in the beef cattle industry by affecting animals in many ways. External parasites are the most serious threat since they feed on body tissues such as blood, skin and hair. The wounds and skin irritation produced by these parasites often result in discomfort and irritation for the animal. More significant, however, is that any blood-sucking arthropod may transmit diseases from infected animals to healthy ones. In addition, arthropod pests also may reduce weight gains, cause losses in milk and meat production, produce general weakness, cause mange and severe dermatitis, and create sites for secondary invasion of disease organisms. In general, infected livestock cannot be healthy or efficiently managed to realize optimum production levels. This document is ENY-274 (IG130), one of a series of the Department of Entomology and Nematology, UF/IFAS Extension. Original publication date May 1995. Revised March 2006. ENY-274/IG130: External Parasites on Beef Cattle (ufl.edu)