Thirty crossbred steers from milk herds of the South of Minas Gerais, were used to evaluate the effect of supply garlic residues (GR) in the feed, on the performance and the alteration of the load of ticks in cattle. Five treatments with four levels of GR were used (0, 3, 6 and 9 grams, mixed in 220 grams of mineral salt) and one treatment with injectable commercial ectoparasiticide without GR. There was no effect (P > 0.05) of the ectoparasiticide and the supply of the GR on the weight variation. Since 56 days, the commercial ectoparasiticide was more efficient (P < 0,05) in the control of ticks, when compared with the GR. Reduction of the parasitic load was observed for animals receiving GR (3, 6 and 9 g) when compared with control group (0 g), showing the efficiency (P < 0,05) of the GR as parasiticide. It can be concluded that the GR presented effect in the control of the load of ticks, without affecting the performance of the animals.
Ruminant; ectoparasite; by-product