Farmers’ perception on the control of gastrointestinal parasites in organic and conventional sheep production in Sweden.

The research paper revolves around a survey conducted on sheep farmers in Sweden, probing into their perception of gastrointestinal parasite control and usage of anthelmintic drugs in both organic and conventional sheep production.

Methodology and Response Rate

• A questionnaire was forwarded to sheep owners in Sweden to gather data on anthelmintic drug usage and their experience and understanding of gastrointestinal nematode infections (GIN), with a primary focus on Haemonchus contortus.
• The response rate was 31%, with participation from both conventional and organic farms.

Anthelmintic Drug Usage

• Approximately 45% of respondents reported using anthelmintics, out of which 76% treated their ewes with the drug only once.
• Ivermectin (59%) and Albendazole (19%) were the most commonly utilized drugs, with other drugs seldom used.
• Alarming though was the high rate of unawareness (19%) regarding the risk of GIN, especially among respondents with less number of animals.
• Anthelmintic dose calculations were carried out post visual appraisal by 63% of the respondents, and only 22% calibrated their equipment before drug delivery, posing a risk for underdosing and potentially leading to anthelmintic resistance.

Perceived Risk and Diagnosis

• The perceived risk for GIN was inversely proportional to the herd size, as perceived by both kinds of farmers.
• 65% of respondents executed faecal examination for GIN presence, with H. contortus already diagnosed or currently present in 41% of the sheep populations across these farms irrespective of whether new stock was imported from foreign countries.
• Common problems related to GIN were reported by 5% and 7% of organic and conventional farmers, respectively.

Land Use and Grazing Management

• Land usage and grazing strategies were mainly reported based on herd size rather than the production type, with nearly half (47%) of the farmers stating their sheep grazed in multiple paddocks, or lambs were relocated post weaning from the ewes (25%).
• Set stocked grazing was primarily reported in smaller farms.
• Co-grazing with cattle and horses was a common occurrence, especially on larger organic farms with cattle.
• Wild cervids, primarily roe deer, were often noticed on sheep pastures (87%).

Veterinary Involvement and Practices

• The veterinary involvement was substantially higher in organic farms (65%) compared to conventional ones (53%), indicating the importance attached to professional healthcare.
• However, despite this, some farmers were found treating sheep routinely without prior diagnosis, a breach of national regulations.
• New and replacement stock was subjected to drenching by 46% of respondents.

Conclusions

• Although some variances were noticed between conventional and organic producers, it was noted that these differences largely fell within the ambit of herd size categories.
• Despite professional veterinary involvement, instances of practices that potentially contribute to anthelmintic use, such as lacklustre quarantine procedures and deworming routines, were identified which could foster anthelmintic resistance in H. contortus.