Exploitation of indigenous knowledge to control gastrointestinal nematodes in cattle during droughts

Abstract Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) exacerbate the impact of droughts on the survival of cattle. Because of the inadequacies of conventional system, it is becoming increasingly important to explore indigenous knowledge systems to create drought tolerant herds through GIN control. The objective of the study was to explore the indigenous methods of GIN control during droughts. Face-to-face interviews with experts on indigenous knowledge were conducted to give insight on importance, methods and ranking of GIN control. The experts sampled 86 cattle that were used to test their assertions. The control methods used were; identification of susceptible cattle using predisposing factors, diagnosis of GIN burdens using faecal appearance and treatment using phytotherapy. Experts ranked predisposing factors as the most important control strategy and identified body condition, class, sex, coat colour, pregnancy status and lactation status as predisposing factors to high GIN burdens. Thin, older, dark coloured cattle as well as pregnant and lactating cows were considered susceptible. Pregnancy status, coat colour and sex, however, were significantly associated to high GIN burdens. Females were 2.6 times more likely to have high GIN burdens as opposed to males. Dark coloured cattle were 3.5 times more likely to have high GIN burdens as compared to light coloured ones and likelihood of pregnant cows was 4.9 times higher than non-pregnant cows. A dark coloured pregnant cow was extremely susceptible to high GIN burdens. Knowledge of predisposing factors informed selection decisions when purchasing foundation stock. Susceptible animals were prioritized during droughts or culled where resources were scarce.