The effect of pasture molluscicide on small lungworm infections and the productivity of grazing lambs.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of pasture molluscicide treatment on the prevalence and severity of small lungworm infections, and the productivity of lambs grazing improved pastures in southeastern Australia. A randomised control field trial of 260 Merino-cross lambs was conducted on a commercially managed farm in South Australia with a history of high small lungworm prevalence. Separate groups of lambs rotationally grazed irrigated lucerne paddocks treated with iron chelate molluscicide or untreated control paddocks. Lambs were monitored every 2-6 weeks from weaning until slaughter with liveweight, lungworm and gastrointestinal nematode infection status measured. At slaughte..