Reducing anthelmintic inputs in organic farming: Are small ruminant farmers integrating alternative strategies to control gastrointestinal nematodes?

To counter the global spread of anthelmintic resistance (AR), considerable efforts have been invested in the development and dissemination of sustainable alternatives to control gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections in small ruminants. The degree to which these have been accepted and integrated by farmers, particularly in organic systems, where the drive to reduce chemical inputs is arguably even more pressing, has been little studied. To identify whether more comprehensive actions are needed to support the uptake of alternative GIN controls amongst organic farmers, this study conducted a survey in five European countries on organic dairy goat and meat sheep farmers to gain insight into current GIN control strategies and farmer attitudes towards AR and alternative measures in these countries.

[How widespread is resistance to invermectin among gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep in The Netherlands?].

In Autumn 2009, a faecal egg count reduction test (FERCT) was carried out on three sheep farms. Groups of 8-11 lambs were treated with ivermectin or moxidectin, with a 14-day interval between treatment and sampling. Ivermectin resistance was present on all three farms.