Abstract

Intestinal parasites are a significant impediment to the productivity of grazing livestock in New Zealand (Scott et al. 2008). They are regarded by New Zealand sheep farmers as their most important animal health issue (Lawrence et al. 2007). The New Zealand deer industry estimated that parasites cost as much as 5% of the total farm revenue (Mackintosh & Wilson 2003). On most farms controlling parasites in order to minimise their impact on animal performance relies heavily on the use of anthelmintics (Lawrence et al. 2007), but their continued usefulness is threatened by the development of worm populations resistant to these drugs (Waghorn et al. 2006a, 2006b). Studies aimed at developing more sustainable worm management practices will be important for maintaining the future productivity and profitability of many farming operations.

DC, Hughes, K Fraser, CM Miller, and DM Leathwick

Proceedings of the New Zealand Society of Animal Production, Volume 73, Hamilton, 180-182, 2013