Ectoparasites Infestation to Small Ruminants and Practical Attitudes among Farmers toward Acaricides Treatment in Central Region of Java, Indonesia

Ectoparasite infestations are one of the major problems affecting goat and sheep farming. Disease resulting from these infestations can cause changes in physical appearance, such as severe lesions on the skin, and economic consequences in the form of significantly reduced selling prices. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of ectoparasites in the Boyolali district, Central Java, Indonesia. A total of 651 sheep and goats were surveyed in this study. The parasites were collected via skin scraping, twister, or manually from clinically infected goats and sheep in traditional farms. All of the ectoparasites collected were successfully identified. The prevalence of ectoparasites in ruminants in Boyolali was 97.8% (637/651). The species make-up was as follows: Bovicola caprae 97.8% (637/651), Linognathus africanus 39% (254/651), Haemaphysalis bispinosa 3.5% (23/651), Ctenocephalides spp. 0.2% (1/651), and Sarcoptes scabiei 5.2% (34/651). The predilection sites were in the face, ear, and leg areas, and in the axillary, dorsal, abdomen, and scrotum regions of the surveyed animals. An evaluation of farmers' attitudes to ectoparasites was performed using a questionnaire. The findings of this study imply that animals in the investigated area are highly exposed to ectoparasite infestations. Given the importance of ectoparasites in both livestock and human communities, specifically in the health domain, more research into appropriate control strategies is necessary.

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY OF BEEF CATTLE IN SMALL SCALE BUSINESS AT WURYANTORO SUBDISTRICT OF WONOGIRI REGENCY

This study was aimed to determine the principal factors that may affect any development of the cattle business and know what strategies can be applied in the development of the cattle business in the District WuryantoroWonogiri. Research method used in this study was a mixed method collect qualitative and quantitative primary data from respondents and secondary data from relevant agencies, namely BPS Wonogiri, Wonogiri District Agriculture Office, and Subdistrict Wuryantoro. Research sampling was determined by convenience sampling of 60 farmers, and 10 respondents from public government and cattle traders. Analysis of data using internal and external situation analysis, also SWOT analysis. SWOT analysis qualitative of internal factors resulted in the identification of Strength and Weakness contained in the cattle business that consists of human resources, financial condition, operations / production, management, marketing. The analysis of external factors resulted in the identification of factors external in the form of opportunity and threats that exist in the beef cattle business as consisting of social, economic, public policy, and technology. The results of the matrix analysis showed results that the internal factors of 1.09 (on the x-axis), and external factors of 0.23 (on the y-axis).Hence,appropriate strategy in the development of beef cattle farms was in quadrant I that support aggressive growth policy (GrowthOriented Strategy),which uses strength to gain opportunities, profits in the cattle business.