Farm Sheep: Pasture Management and Parasite Control

Strategic pasture management reduces sheep worm burdens without relying on anthelmintics, protecting both welfare and treatment efficacy.

Key Facts

Arrested larvae in pasture survive winter and emerge in spring, creating a high infection challenge period
Moving ewes to clean pasture post-lambing reduces lamb burden during the most vulnerable period
Pasture rotation with a rest period of 6+ weeks during the grazing season reduces infection pressure
Mixed grazing with cattle reduces sheep-specific parasite burdens as cattle are immune to sheep worms
Closing pastures to sheep for the growing season creates 'clean' ground for use at high-risk periods

Welfare Considerations

Pasture management that reduces worm challenge protects sheep welfare by preventing the anaemia, protein loss, and diarrhoea caused by heavy roundworm burdens. Strategic pasture use complements targeted anthelmintic use to maintain welfare protection while reducing selection pressure for resistance. Clean pasture management is a welfare investment that pays dividends through reduced disease and preserved treatment efficacy.

What You Can Do

Plan pasture rotation to provide clean grazing at high-risk periods post-lambing
Close some paddocks to sheep annually to create clean ground
Implement mixed grazing with cattle where possible to dilute sheep-specific parasite pressure
Record which paddocks are clean and when they were rested
Work with your vet to integrate pasture management with targeted anthelmintic use