The integration of grazing management and summer treatments for the control of trichostrongylid infections in Merino weaners

Abstract

Objective: To compare two strategies for the preparation of pastures that have reduced trichostrongylid infections during winter and spring for Merino weaners. Design: A replicated field experiment was conducted over two successive years. A 'standard' strategy, comprising set-stocked wethers given anthelmintic treatments in late October and early February, was compared with a 'new' one in which intensive grazing for 1 month after each treatment and destocking for 1 or 2 months was integrated with the anthelmintic treatments. Paddocks prepared according to these strategies were set-stocked at 15 Merino weaners/ha from April to October inclusively. Results: Contamination of pastures prepared a..