The effect of mixed or sequential grazing of cattle and sheep on the faecal egg counts and growth rates of weaned lambs when treated with anthelmintics

The effect of rotational grazing by either calves, cows, lambs or ewes on the removal of herbage contaminated with gastro‐intestinal parasite larvae around cattle faecal pats

“…52 L 3 removal Our lack of effect of animal treatments onherbage L 3 concentrations agrees with the study of Marley et al (2006) on the effects of alternate and mixed grazing on sheep L 3 . This may be a consequence of the small differences in herbage removal or post-grazing residual near faecal pats.…”

“…In order to maximise the removal of herbage around faeces, and therefore the likely removal of L 3 , pasture grazed by cattle with high FECs should have at least one subsequent grazing by sheep, with further sheep grazings if more than 10% of the initial cattle faecal DM remains. Sheep grazing of cattle pastures may also increase pasture utilisation, but clover contents may be reduced and there may be risks of cross-infecting cattle with some parasites carried by sheep (Marley et al 2006).…”

Effects on animal performance and sward composition of mixed and sequential grazing of permanent pasture by cattle and sheep

“…In 2002 and 2003 of the current experiment all lambs were drenched with an anthelmintic every 28 days during the post-weaning period, and as part of a related study, faecal egg counts were measured immediately prior to each anthelmintic treatment. The results revealed that grazing weaned lambs on swards grazed previously by only cattle can reduce the parasite burden (Marley et al, 2006). Brelin (1979) also found worm egg counts were reduced under mixed grazing, but suggested that the overall worm numbers were too low to have influenced production, and instead concluded that the main reason for improved animal performance under mixed grazing was better utilisation of the pasture.…”

Integrated parasite management with special reference to gastro-intestinal nematodes

“…Mixed species grazing: This is implemented either by concomitant or by alternate presence of two hosts on shared pastures. It has been proved effective in particular for small ruminants to limit the populations of H. contortus (Marley et al 2006). Success has been obtained in case of Pigs and cattle (Thamsborg et al 1999), horses and small ruminants.…”