Comparative impact of conventional and strategic worm management schemes in sheep flocks of arid Rajasthan

Abstract

A study on comparative impact (in terms of worm profile and flock performance) of two schemes of worm management in naturally infected sheep flocks was made in arid Rajasthan. During the period from May 2004 to March 2012, sheep (8415) were monitored for gastrointestinal strongyles by examining 24,310 faecal samples as well as for production performance of flock. The monthly incidence and intensity of strongyle nematodes remained almost similar among flocks given either strategic (one drench /annum) or conventional (3 drenches /annum) anthelmintic treatment. The epidemiological profile exhibited higher magnitude of infection only during monsoon (June-October). The data on flock performance exhibited that reduction in anthelmintic frequency in strategic scheme as against conventional scheme had no adverse effect on flock performance and yields better financial return to farmers. The result reflected the value and success of single drench schedule (strategic scheme) for the effective management of predominant gastrointestinal nematodes in field flocks of arid Rajasthan which is based on systematically gathered epidemiological information.