Economics of sub-clinical helminthosis control through anthelmintics and supplementation in Menz and Awassi-Menz crossbred sheep in Ethiopia

We evaluated the profitability of anthelmintic treatment and nutritional supplements using partial budget analysis on 108 weaned Menz (n=39), 50% Awassi-Menz (n=38) and 75% Awassi-Menz (n=31) crossbred sheep genotypes kept on-station under subclinical helminthosis at Debre Berhan, Ethiopia. Data were collected on feed intake, live weight, eggs per gram of faeces (EPG), packed cell volume (PCV), fleece weight, slaughter weight, carcass weight, dressing percentage, and adult worm burden counts. Input and output prices were recorded. Anthelmintic treatment reduced EPG and worm burden, which was consistent with significantly higher PCV, slaughter and carcass weights for treated than for non-treated sheep (P<0.05). Supplemented sheep had higher (P<0.0001) weight gain, carcass weight and dressing percentage than non-supplemented sheep. Anthelmintic treatment resulted in a marginal profit (MP) of 13.46 ETB † per sheep whilst supplementation resulted in MP of 17.13 ETB per sheep. MP per sheep was higher for Menz than the crosses due to the higher skin price of Menz sheep. MP from anthelmintic treatment increased as exotic blood level increases suggesting the higher dependence of the crossbreds on anthelmintics. Sheep breeding objectives were discussed in relation to low input system.