Parasitism management in organic sheep production

Abstract

Health maintenance in sheep is a major issue in organic farming (5 to 30% of costs). Parasite infection is one of the main health problems. Parasite identification is the first step in building up a control programme. Diagnostic tools are available but are not used frequently, although they are absolutely needed. Diagnostic methods will help to choose which synthetic drug can be used, and also if one can take risk using a less effective drug among phytotherapy or homeopathy resources. The choice of which animals should be selected for treatment or should be carefully monitored since they are the source of most of the contamination. The anaemia score (FAMACHA©) or diarrhoea score are tools that are in the hand of the farmer. The efficacy of FAMACHA© is limited to one strongyle infection (Haemonchus) and is then of restricted interest in temperate regions, although it can be a useful tool in the summer -beginning in the autumn in sites with Haemonchusinfection. The diarrhoea score seems promising but needs further evaluation.The main difficulty is to construct integrated management of parasite infections. They depend highly on farm management, parasitic fauna, and type of grazing animals.The parasitism management should differ from one farm to another, and adapted decision rules should be proposed to sheep farmers.