This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Gastrointestinal parasites can cause serious health problems in North American bison, but the drugs producers rely on to control them can become less effective when used too frequently or without knowing which animals actually need treatment. A new study led by researchers at the Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (VMBS) published in Veterinary Parasitology examined how bison producers manage parasites, providing new information that could help researchers develop more targeted approaches to deworming and slow the development of drug resistance.
The findings provide researchers with a clearer picture of how ranched bison are managed across the southern and central United States and highlight opportunities to improve parasite control while protecting the limited drugs available to producers. "Gastrointestinal nematodes are one of the most economically important health concerns for bison," said Dr. Kaylee Kipp, a recent VMBS doctoral graduate and associate professor of professional practice in ranch management at Texas Christian University.
"We have both anecdotal and diagnostic evidence showing that bison seem to have more parasitic issues compared to beef cattle." These parasites, commonly called gastrointestinal worms, can cause diarrhea, poor weight gain and reduced production. In severe cases, Kipp said, parasite infections can even contribute to the deaths of adult bison. That makes controlling parasites important—but researchers say simply deworming more often isn't necessarily the answer.
Despite the importance of parasites to bison health, relatively little is known about how producers manage parasites in ranched bison, particularly in the southern U.S. Most previous bison research has focused on larger herds in northern states and Canada, leaving researchers with less information about operations in Texas and neighboring states. "We needed to understand the basics of these operations," said Dr.
Guilherme Verocai, an associate professor in the VMBS' Department of Veterinary Pathobiology and director of the Parasitology Diagnostic Laboratory. "Are we talking about a herd of 500 animals or 30? Those can be very different operations." To better understand those differences, the research team surveyed bison producers about herd demographics, pasture management, nutrition, animal sourcing and parasite control practices.
Nearly 90% reported deworming their bison at least once a year, and almost one-third dewormed more than twice annually. At the same time, diagnostic tools that can help determine whether treatment is necessary were rarely used. The survey also showed that producers largely manage bison using practices adapted from the cattle industry.
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