Some Observations on the “Spring Rise” in Worm-Egg Counts of Halfbred Sheep in South-East Scotland

A study of Nematode parasitism in hill-country breeding ewes

“…Lambing occurred during the six weeb following 22 August, and the post-parturient rise established by several workers (Morgan, Parnell, and Rayski 1950;Parnell, Dunn, and Mackintosh 1954;Spedding and Brown 1956;Brunsdon 1964) occurred in October. This rise was evident in the more intensively stocked paddocks, but not in 7 and II, where the stocking rate was low and adequate feed was available.…”

“…INTRODUCTION 573 Morgan, Parnell, andRayski (1950, 1951), and Parnell, Dunn, and Mackintosh (1954), have found Nematode parasItIsm to be of consequence in Scottish hill sheep, and, because of the lack of information in New Zealand, the authors took the opportunity to investigate Nematode parasitism in hill-country breeding ewes at the Te Awa sub-station of Grasslands Division, D.S.I.R. The trials at Te Awa have been concerned with the improvement of hill pastures, and, more recently, with the effects of an increase in stocking rate on pasture and animal production.…”

Ostertagiaspp. in Lambs and Pregnant Ewes

“…A chronological association of the rise in egg count with parturition was noted by Crofton (1954), Parnell, Dunn and Mackintosh (1954), Spedding and Brown (1956) and by Condy (1961). Of considerable importance are the additional observations by Crofton (1958) and Condy (1961) that a similar egg count rise occurred in association with parturition in autumn lambing ewes.…”

“…in the mucosa during the winter months, but it appears likely that their technique in looking for such stages was inadequate. The technique more recently described by Parnell (1961) has been found to be capable of detecting these immature stages in the bowel wall and it is thought likely that if such a technique had been used in the earlier investigation different results might have been obtained.…”

“…In the United Kingdom Parnell, Dunn, Rayski and Mackintosh (1954), Parnell (1954) and Crofton (1955Crofton ( ,1957, working in markedly different areas (Scottish Highlands and south-west England respectively), all showed that Ostertagia spp. were very prevalent in young lambs.…”