Practical recommendations on the control of helminth parasites in organic sheep production systems.
2007
Cabaret, J.
Helminth infections are one of the major preoccupations in organic sheep farming. The present control strategy is two-fold; aiming to reduce intake of parasites by using proper grazing management or adult parasite load in the lambs. Uninfected pastures (following grazing, pasture newly sown or grazed previously by cattle) are often available and should be dedicated to lambs, which are more susceptible than ewes. The grazing of certain leguminous forages and herbs may reduce parasitic infestation in sheep but further studies are required prior to large-scale utilization in organic farms. The recommended treatments of lambs and/or ewes are based on phytotherapy and homeopathy. At present, claims of efficacy are not backed with hard facts, although the approaches are widely used in organic sheep farms. Shepherds also rely on synthetic chemical drugs, since several anthelmintic drenches are compatible with organic production. The use of different categories of products may prove costly in poorly managed farms. A targeted selective treatment (e.g. selection of animals or groups to be treated) is a proposal that will attract organic farmers, provided that they are given indicators for treatment decisions. At present, several indicators are available (laboratory analyses, pathophysiological indicators (anaemia or diarrhoea), and production traits (weight gains)) but they are costly or time-consuming and there is a need for their optimization. Their acceptance by farmers is also a prerequisite for their promotion.
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