Consequences of the regular distribution of sainfoin hay on gastrointestinal parasitism with nematodes and milk production in dairy goats

The objectives of the current study were to examine the potential effects of distribution of sainfoin hay on nematode parasitism in a producing herd and to measure the consequences on milk production. The survey was performed in an experimental herd of 120-dairy-goat farm during a whole 9-month grazing season. Every month, 60 goats received indoors on average 1.36 kg of sainfoin hay for 10 days whereas the 60 remaining goats were used as controls, thus receiving the same amount of lucerne hay at the same time. The nutritional values of both hays were comparable except that concentrations of condensed tannins was higher in sainfoin than in lucerne hay, i.e. 2.52% versus 0.7% of diet DM. Intakes of the two types of hay were recorded along with each period. Individual faecal and blood samples were performed monthly to compare parasitological and pathophysiological parameters in the two groups. Milk yield, fat and protein contents were measured fortnightly. A higher consumption of hay was repeatedly recorded in the sainfoin versus the control group. Irrespective to dietary treatment, nematode egg excretions were low during the whole season. Meanwhile, egg output was significantly lowest in the sainfoin group, but the composition in nematode genera was similar among the two groups. Based on a semi quantitative index for assessment of faecal consistency, a lower faecal dry matter content was also found in goats from the sainfoin group. The two animal groups exhibited similar milk yield, fat and protein contents. The differences in egg excretion between the two groups might be due to higher intake of hay in the barn thus to low consumption of grass, a source of parasite infection, or to the effect of some secondary compounds, like tannins. Whatever the mechanism involved, our results suggest that a regular distribution of sainfoin hay to dairy goats might be associated with a reduction in parasitism with gastrointestinal nematodes, without negative consequences on milk production.