# Gastrointestinal Parasite Infections in Beef Cattle: A Comparative Study Between Conventional and Holistic Farms in Alentejo, Portugal

## TL;DR

This study compared GI parasite infections in beef cattle from conventional and holistic farms in Portugal, finding low infection levels and suggesting holistic management as a sustainable alternative.

## Contribution

The study provides new insights into the effectiveness of holistic management for controlling GI parasites in cattle.

## Key findings

- Strongyles were the most frequent GI parasites (92.6%) in both management systems.
- Holistic management farms showed higher egg shedding levels, but all animals had low infection levels (<200 EPG).
- No significant differences in parasite frequency were found between conventional and holistic farms.

## Abstract

This study compared gastrointestinal (GI) parasite frequencies and shedding in beef cattle kept at conventional and holistic management farms in Alentejo, Portugal. Ninety-five faecal samples were analysed using parasitological techniques. Strongyles were the most frequent GI parasites (92.6%), followed by coccidia (38.9%) and Strongyloides spp. (10.5%). Although parasite frequency and egg shedding differed significantly between management systems, all animals had low infection levels. The results from this study suggest that holistic management may be an alternative and sustainable solution for parasite control in cattle farms.

Cattle are commonly affected by gastrointestinal (GI) parasites, which impact their welfare and productivity. Alternative management practices are currently being applied in several livestock farms worldwide to minimise or avoid the use of anthelmintic drugs on livestock in an unsustainable way. This study aimed to compare the presence of GI parasites between conventional and holistic management farms in Alentejo, Portugal. Between January and April 2024, a total of 95 faecal samples were collected from adult female beef cattle belonging to four conventional management farms and four holistic management farms. Parasitological diagnosis included the Mini-FLOTAC method, Willis flotation, natural sedimentation, modified Ziehl–Neelsen technique, and faecal cultures. Higher egg shedding levels were found at holistic management farms, and strongyles were the most frequent GI parasites (92.6%). In addition, Oesophagostomum spp. (37%) and Trichostrongylus spp. (32%) were the most frequent genera, although no significant differences were found between the two management systems. Moreover, animals from both groups presented low shedding values (<200 eggs per gram of faeces, EPG). These preliminary results allow us to suggest that adopting holistic management practices may be a sustainable solution for the control of GI parasite infections in cattle farms.