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Title: Non-traditional forages in a Managed Grazing System for Control of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Sheep

Author
item SHULAW, WILLIAM - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item LEWANDOWSKI, RORY - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item MCCUTCHEON, JEFF - OHIO STATE UNIVERSITY
item CLINE, CURT - OHIO PRODUCER/COOPERATOR
item Foster, Joyce

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 7/11/2008
Publication Date: 7/12/2008
Citation: Shulaw, W., Lewandowski, R., Mccutcheon, J., Cline, C., Foster, J.G. 2008. Non-traditional forages in a Managed Grazing System for Control of Gastrointestinal Parasites in Sheep. in: Proceedings of Ohio Sheep Day, July 12, 2008, Albany, Ohio, hand-out (no page #).

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: This project compared forage chicory with brown mid-rib sorghum x sudangrass (BMR) to determine if anti-parasitic effects of chicory could be demonstrated. We evaluated changes in fecal egg counts in two groups of lambs before and after grazing these forages for periods of two to three weeks. Body weights, body condition scores, and FAMACHA scores were also obtained on lambs in both groups before and after grazing the forages. Chicory and BMR stands were adequate and forage quality analyses showed that the two forages were comparable in nutritive value. Lambs readily consumed 'Oasis' chicory, which contained 0.6 to 1.6% (dry weight basis) sesquiterpene lactones during the study period. Statistically significant differences in fecal egg counts between groups were not detected; however, chicory lambs had significantly better weight gains, average daily gains, body condition scores, and FAMACHA scores over the project duration. Our failure to observe an effect on FEC suggests that the potential anthelmintic effect of chicory arises from action at some other point in the parasite life cycle. Drug resistance to all the chemical classes of dewormers was documented on the farm and inability to significantly reduce parasite burdens for the project lambs prevented optimal weight gain.