Mixed grazing systems of goats with cattle in tropical conditions: an alternative to improving animal production in the pasture.

Mixed grazing systems combining sheep and cattle have shown better growth performance for one or both species. This observation has been attributed to their complementary feeding behaviour and the reduced host infection by gastrointestinal nematodes. Less attention has been paid to mixed grazing systems combining goats and cattle.

Cross-infection between tropical goats and heifers with Haemonchus contortus.

Developing effective biological control without the systematic use of anthelmintics is necessary to reduce the impact of gastrointestinal nematodes on small ruminants. Therefore, grazing management systems that use different host species to dilute nematodes in pasture appear to be promising for worm control. A trial was carried out to investigate the specificity of Haemonchus contortus for goats and cattle and to evaluate cross-infection between ruminant species.

In vitro effects of Tabernaemontana citrifolia extracts on Haemonchus contortus.

Tabernaemontana citrifolia (Apocynaceae) is traditionally used as an anthelmintic preparation for ruminants in Guadeloupe (French West Indies). This study was carried out to evaluate the in vitro effect of this plant against the parasitic nematode of small ruminants Haemonchus contortus. Three extracts (aqueous, methanolic and dichloromethane) of T.

Influence of earthworms on development of the free-living stages of gastrointestinal nematodes in goat faeces.

With the important infection of small ruminants by gastrointestinal nematodes, and in the face of reduced efficacy of anthelminthic treatments, a search for other biological options is necessary. The effect of earthworms on the free-living stages of Haemonchus contortus and Trichostrongylus colubriformis in faeces from goats naturally infected in tropical pastures was evaluated. Two levels (0 vs 14 individuals per container) of indigenous earthworms (50% Pontoscolex corethrus and 50% Perionyx excavatus) were added to containers filled with soil and faeces collected from 20 grazing goats.