Status of Helminthes Parasites of Cattle in Dairy Farms of Holleta Agricultural Research Center, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was under taken at dairy farms of Holleta Agricultural Research Center, Central Ethiopia, which was located at central highland of Oromia special zone surrounding Finfinne, to determine the prevalence of gastrointestinal helminthes parasites of cattle from October 2009 to June 2010. A total of 283 cattle were examined using standard coprological examination on 147 Boran × Fresia and 136 Jersey breed cattle from both farms. The over all prevalence of GI helminthes parasites was found to be 68.2% (193/283) with the predominant eggs of paramphistomum (18.0%) followed by ascaris (9.5%), fasciola (8.5%), strongylus (7.1%), nematodirus (6.7%) and trichuris (1.8%) obtained from the study. There was statistical significant difference between age, breed and body condition with prevalence of parasites (P<0.05). The higher prevalence was recorded from adult animals than in young group. A cross breed of Boran × Fresia had higher prevalence of 57% than that of pure Jersey (43.0%). The level of infections determined by using Mc Master Eggs counting indicated that mild infections accounted for 55.5%, sever 1.1% and 11.7% for sub clinical light infections. Based on the results obtained further study on determinant factors for the occurrence of helminthes parasites and implementation of appropriate control and prevention methods should be applied in study area.