Influence of intensive rearing, continuous and rotational grazing systems of management on parasitic load of lambs

Abstract

Aim: A trial was conducted to assess the influence of parasitic load on the lambs reared under the intensive system, continuous grazing, and rotational grazing systems of management. Materials and Methods: A total of thirty numbers of the undetermined breed of ewe lambs around 4-5 months of age were randomly selected and allotted to three treatment groups: T1 (intensive system - control), T2 (rotational grazing), and T3 (continuous grazing). The T1 group lambs were raised under a stall-fed system of management, the T2 group lambs were grazed under rotational grazing strategy in four paddocks of plot-A, while the T3 group lambs were continuously grazed in plot-B. Results: At the end of the study, there was a highly significant difference (p=0.01) in the fortnightly strongyle egg count per gram (EPG) of feces among the lambs pertaining to the three treatment groups; the lambs in T3 had a higher strongyle EPG compared to T2 lambs. With regard to the overall reduction in EPG from the initial count, lambs under rotational grazing showed the maximum decrease of 54.52% compared to lambs under T3 (continuous grazing). There was a strong positive correlation noticed between the mean temperature of the day at each fortnight and the subsequent EPG at each fortnight with R2=0.87. There was a strong positive correlation noticed between mean FAMACHA® scores and the EPG with R2=0.84, R2=0.83, and R2=0.83 for T1, T2, and T3, respectively. Conclusion: The grazing management with pasture rotation should be considered as a viable option for sustainable parasitic control in case of grazing-dependent livestock husbandry in India.

Arthrobotrys musiformis (Orbiliales) Kills Haemonchus contortus Infective Larvae (Trichostronylidae) through Its Predatory Activity and Its Fungal Culture Filtrates

“…A predatory activity higher than 70% is a very good activity; if we consider that, using NF for the control of animal parasitic nematodes should be considered only as a tool of control together with other control measures, or even using a combined method with two or more fungal genera/species to achieve a more effective control [ 26 ]. It is important to consider that the use of nematode natural antagonists is only part of an integrated control system that can involve different strategies of control [ 27 ]; for example, the use of a high protein and energy-based diet, which promotes immune self-defence mechanisms [ 28 , 29 ], grazing management [ 30 , 31 ], vaccines [ 32 , 33 ] and the use of plants/plant metabolites [ 34 , 35 ].…”

Control of Strongyles in First-Season Grazing Ewe Lambs by Integrating Deworming and Thrice-Weekly Administration of Parasiticidal Fungal Spores

“…In the present investigation, lambs kept under a rotational system (15 days feeding and 45 days resting) passed eggs of strongyles one month after deworming, and we found egg output counts of higher than 300 EPG three months after, indicating that they were infected again very quickly. Considering that the development of L3 strongyles from eggs shed in the feces takes a minimum of seven days, grazing periods of 3-5 days appear necessary to reach successful results, though contradictory data have been reported [23,24]. Another inconvenience consists of the requirement of increasing the grassland area, as well as work hours and personnel [5,17].…”

Role of soil in the regulation of human and plant pathogens: soils' contributions to people

“…The integration of animal and cropping systems is another strategy. For example, to reduce parasitic loads in cattle, grazing management using pasture diversification or rotation are recognized approaches to improve livestock husbandry [154,155].…”