Relationship Between Resistance to Boophilus Microplus, Nutritional Status, and Blood Composition in Shorthorn X Hereford Cattle

Abstract

Relationships between nutrition, blood composition, and tick resistance were studied in three groups of six yearling Shorthorn X Hereford steers. Feeding was ad libitum and group I was offered lucerne hay and safflower seeds, group II lucerne hay only, and group III wheat straw supplemented with molasses. All animals were infested five times with 0·5 g tick larvae during the treatment period of 62 days.