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Helminth infections, mainly by gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN), are one of the main concerns for animal health, welfare and productivity in grazing ruminant livestock worldwide. The use of a sensitive, precise, accurate, low-cost, and easy-to-perform copromicroscopic technique is of pivotal importance to perform reliable fecal egg count (FEC) and fecal egg count reduction test (FECRT), in order to determine the need of anthelmintic treatment, but also anthelmintic efficacy or resistance. This approach is fundamental to a correct and efficient control of GIN. Unfortunately, in worldwide ruminant farm practice, repeated anthelmintic treatments are carried out, without prior diagnosis of infection, contributing to the spread of Anthelmintic Resistance (AR). Tackling this phenomenon, improving mainly the GIN diagnosis and AR status in farm animals, is a priority of the European COST Action "COMBAR-COMBatting Anthelmintic Resistance in Ruminants" and of the STAR-IDAZ International Research Consortium on Animal Health. One of the specific objectives of the COMBAR Working Group 1 (WG1) is to conduct an European market analysis of new diagnostics and develop a business plan for commercial test introduction, leveraging technical know-how of participants. Since the Mini-FLOTAC in combination with the Fill-FLOTAC may be considered a good candidate for a standardized FEC and FECRT in the laboratory, as well as directly in the field, the aim of this study was to conduct SWOT (Strength-Weaknesses-Opportunities-Threats) and PESTEL (Political, Economic, Social, Technological, Environmental, and Legal) analyses of these tools in 20 European countries involved in the COMBAR WG1, in order to identify the opportunities, barriers, and challenges that might affect the Mini-FLOTAC and Fill-FLOTAC commercialization in Europe.

Odbytové možnosti pro hovězí biomaso z pastevního výkrmu jsou ve Švýcarsku dobré. Úspěšný je však jen takový chovatel, který ovládá management vedení stáda a pastvy, krmení a posouzení jatečné zralosti, a může tak nabízet maso žádané kvality za přijatelnou tržní cenu. Tato příručka k tomu poskytuje technické údaje a shrnuje znalosti zkušených praktiků.

Die Absatzaussichten für Rindfleisch aus Bioweidemast sind gut. Erfolg hat jedoch nur, wer Herdenmanagement, Weideführung, Fütterung und Schlachtkörperbeurteilung beherrscht und so die gewünschte Fleischqualität zu marktgerechten Preisen anbieten kann. Das Merkblatt liefert dazu die technischen Angaben und fasst Kenntnisse erfahrener Praktiker zusammen

We investigated direct anthelmintic effects associated with the feeding of fresh tanniferous forages against established populations of Haemonchus contortus and Cooperia curticei in lambs. Twenty-four parasite naive lambs were inoculated with a single dose of infective larvae of these two parasites 27 days prior to the start of the feeding experiment. Lambs were individually fed with either chicory (Cichorium intybus), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) or a ryegrass/ lucerne mixture (control) for 17 days. Animals where then united to one flock and subjected to control feeding for another 11 days to test the sustainability of potentially lowered egg excretion generated by tanniferous forage feeding. When compared to the control, administration of all tanniferous forages was associated with significant reductions of total daily faecal egg output specific to H. contortus (chicory: 89%; birdsfoot trefoil: 63%; sainfoin: 63%; all tests P < 0.05) and a tendency of reduced H. contortus worm burden (chicory: 15%; birdsfoot trefoil: 49% and sainfoin: 35% reduction). Irrespective of the condensed tannin (CT) containing fodder, no anthelmintic effects were found against C. curticei. Cessation of CT-feeding followed by non-CT control feeding did not result in a re-emergence of faecal egg counts based on faecal dry matter (FECDM) in any group, suggesting that egg output reductions are sustainable. The moderate to high concentrations of CTs in birdsfoot trefoil (15.2 g CTs kg-1 dry matter (DM)) and sainfoin (26.1 g CTs kg-1 DM) were compatible with the hypothesis that the antiparasitic effect of these forages is caused by their content of CTs. For chicory (3 g CTs kg-1 DM), however, other secondary metabolites need to be considered. Overall, birdsfoot trefoil and in particular sainfoin seem promising candidates in contributing to an integrated control strategy against H. contortus not only by mitigating parasite related health disturbances of the host but also by a sustained reduction of pasture contamination. # 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

The objective of the study was to examine the effect of dried and ensiled sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) against two species of gastrointestinal nematodes (Haemonchus contortus, Cooperia curticei) in lambs. Twenty-four days post experimental infection, 24 lambs were allocated to 4 equal groups. Group A and B received sainfoin silage and control silage respectively for 16 days. Groups C and D were fed on sainfoin hay or control hay for the same period. Feeds were administered ad libitum and mean refusals and live weight were regularly recorded. Individual faecal egg counts (FEC) were performed twice weekly. After the feeding period all lambs were slaughtered for post mortem investigation. The consumption of sainfoin hay was associated with a significant reduction of the adult H. contortus burden by 47 % (P < 0.05) whereas no significant difference was seen when feeding sainfoin silage (49 %, P = 0.112). The C. curticei worm burden was not significantly reduced by either sainfoin hay or silage. At slaughter FEC were significantly reduced by sainfoin hay by 64 % (P < 0.001) compared to the control feed. After feeding sainfoin silage FEC decreased by 48 % (P = 0.056). There was a tendency of better live weight gain in sainfoin hay fed animals compared to the control fed ones (P=0.07). These results demonstrate a nematocidal effect of a tanniferous forage legume against gastrointestinal nema¬¬todes, which was more pronounced against H. contortus. The antiparasitic effects were largely preserved when feeding sainfoin silage, suggesting this conservation procedure to be a valuable alternative to hay.

Introduction: Sainfoin is a high-quality condensed tannin containing forage plant. The knowledge about anthelmintic effects against sheep nematodes and about the influence of plant preservation (e.g. ensiling) on the anthelmintic activity is limited. Method: 36 parasite naïve lambs (6 groups of 6 animals each) were infected with H. contortus (7,000 L3) and C. curticei (15,000 L3). From day 28 until day 44 p.i., groups A1, B1 and C1 received fresh, dried or ensiled sainfoin. Groups A2, B2 and C2 served as respective tannin-free controls. Individual faecal egg counts on a dry matter basis (FECDM) were performed every 3-4 days. On day 44, all animals were slaughtered and adult worm populations were determined. Results: The consumption of sainfoin was associated with a reduction of adult H. contortus (35% (P

In einem im Jahr 2003 unter überdurchschnittlich trockenen und warmen Bedingungen durchgeführten Weideversuch mit drei Gruppen von jeweils 20 Jungrindern wurde die Wirkung einer biologischen (Duddingtonia flagrans) und einer medikamentösen (Paratect Flex-Bolus; PFB) Kontrollmethode gegen Befall mit Magen-Darm-Nematoden (MDN) gegenüber einer unbehandelten Kontrollgruppe verglichen. Die meteorologischen Bedingungen führten über direkte (reduzierter Übergang der Infektionsstadien auf die Vegetation; erhöhte Absterberate) und indirekte Faktoren (geringere Besatzdichte, Zufütterung) zu einer deutlichen Verringerung des Infektionsdruckes auf den Versuchsweiden. Daher erwiesen sich weder die medikamentöse noch die biologische Prophylaxestrategie als erforderlich, um den Infektionsdruck zusätzlich zu limitieren. Weit gehend unbelastet vom Parasitendruck wurden in der PFB-, Duddingtonia- und Kontrollgruppe mittlere Tageszunahmen von 678, 688 und 676 g erzielt. Die prinzipielle Wirksamkeit des Pilzes D. flagrans gegen die MDN-Larven zeigte sich anhand der in monatlichen Intervallen durchgeführten Kotkulturen, in denen lediglich eine Entwicklungsrate von 25 % gegenüber 83 % in der Kontrollgruppe beobachtbar war. Auch auf den Versuchsflächen der Duddingtonia-Gruppe war gegen Ende der Versuchsperiode ein etwa 90 % niedrigerer Infektionsdruck gegenüber der Kontrollgruppe messbar. Der Nachweis des natürlichen Vorkommens von D. flagrans in der Schweiz lässt gemeinsam mit den Daten weiterer Studien ein ubiquitäres Vorkommen dieser Spezies vermuten.

In der Schaf- und Ziegenhaltung stellt der Befall mit Magen-Darm-Strongyliden (MDS) einen wesentlichen Problemfaktor für die Tiergesundheit dar. Klinische und subklinische Erkrankungen können von erheblicher wirtschaftlicher Relevanz sein. Eine zunehmende Resistenzentwicklung gegen seit langem eingesetzte Anthelminthika hat derzeit einen intensivierten Einsatz dieser Wirkstoffe zur Folge und verschärft das Problem somit zusätzlich.

The objective of the studywas to examine the effect of dried and ensiled sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia) on established populations of Haemonchus contortus (abomasum) and Cooperia curticei (small intestine) in lambs under controlled conditions. Twenty-four parasite naı¨ve lambs were inoculated with a single dose of infective larvae of these parasites 28 days prior to the start of the feeding experiment. Twenty-four days post-infection, 4 days prior to the start of the feeding experiment, animals were allocated to four groups according to egg excretion, liveweight and sex. GroupsAandBreceived sainfoin hay and control hay, respectively, for 16 days. Groups CandDwere fed on sainfoin silage or control silage for the same period. Feeds were offered ad libitumand on the basis of daily refusals were supplemented with concentrate in order to make them isoproteic and isoenergetic. Individual faecal egg counts on a dry matter basis (FECDM) were performed every 3–4 days and faecal cultures and packed cell volume (PCV) measurements were done weekly. After 16 days of experimental feeding, all animals were slaughtered and adult wormpopulations were determined. The consumption of conserved sainfoin was associated with a reduction of adult H. contortus (47%in the case of hay, P < 0.05; 49%in the case of silage, P = 0.075) but had little effect on adult C. curticei. Compared to the controls, H. contortus specific FECDM was reduced by 58% (P < 0.01) in the sainfoin hay group and by 48%(P = 0.075) in the sainfoin silage group. For both sainfoin feeds FECDMspecific to C. curticei were significantly decreased when compared to the control feeds (hay 81% and silage 74%, both tests P < 0.001). Our data suggest that different mechanisms were responsible for the reduction in FECDM in response to feeding tanniferous fodder. For H. contortus, the decrease seemed to be due to a nematocidal effect towards adult H. contortus. In contrast for C. curticei, the reduction in FECDM appeared to be a result of a reduced per capita fecundity. For both, hay and silage, an antiparasitic effect could be shown, offering promising perspectives for the use of conserved tanniferous fodder as a complementary control approach against GIN. # 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are a major health and economic risk factor in ruminant production in organic and conventional farms (Thamsborg et al., 1999). Fattening of organic beef cattle (OBC) on pasture is an emerging area for organic farmers in Switzerland, which partly compensates the declining development in dairy production. So far, there are no data available about the parasitic status of beef cattle kept in organic farms between weaning (4-6 month) and slaughter (24-26 month). The aim of the present study was to assess the parasitological status of organic beef cattle in the pre-alpine and alpine region of Switzerland and to analyse the benefits of different grazing strategies for GIN control.

Die Absatzaussichten für Rindfleisch aus Bioweidemast sind gut. Erfolg hat jedoch nur, wer Herdenmanagement, Weideführung, Fütterung und Schlachtkörperbeurteilung beherrscht und so die gewünschte Fleischqualität zu marktgerechten Preisen anbieten kann. Das Merkblatt liefert dazu die technischen Angaben und fasst Kenntnisse erfahrener Praktiker zusammen.

Aufgrund ihrer weiten Verbreitung und der erheblichen Pathogenität einiger Spezies stellen gastrointestinale Nematoden bei Weidetieren ein Gesundheitsrisiko dar. Die Kontrolle dieser Parasiten basiert seit mehreren Jahrzehnten nahezu ausschliesslich auf dem Einsatz von Entwurmungsmitteln (Anthelminthika). Diese Tatsache hat speziell bei den Magen-Darm-Nematoden (MDN) der kleinen Wiederkäuer und bei den kleinen Strongyliden des Pferdes weltweit zu einer erheblichen Resistenzentwicklung geführt, von denen im Falle der ovinen MDN sämtliche kommerziell verfügbaren Anthelminthika-Klassen betroffen sind. Da sich praxisreife Alternativstrategien für die Parasitenbekämpfung bisher nicht ausreichend etablieren konnten, führt die verschärfte Resistenzlage zu einem Anstieg des (häufig nutzlosen) Medikamenteneinsatzes. Von dieser Entwicklung sind die ökologisch wirtschaftenden und konventionellen Betriebe gleichermassen betroffen. Vor allem im Hinblick auf eine Erweiterung der Prophylaxemöglichkeiten in Ökobetrieben wird die Suche nach Alternativen zum Anthelminthika-Einsatz derzeit erheblich vorangetrieben. Eine noch in Entwicklung befindliche Methode basiert auf dem Einsatz natürlich vorkommender nematophager Pilze, die eine erhebliche Reduktion des Infektionsdruckes auf der Weide bewirken können.

Magen-Darm-Nematoden, Lungenwürmer und Leberegel sind in der Bio Weide-Beef-Haltung weit verbreitet, stellen aber derzeit kein gravierendes Problem dar. Mit einem geeigneten Weidemanagement ist Aufzucht und Mast von Jungrindern auch bei geringem Einsatz von Medikamenten gegen Magen-Darm-Parasiten möglich. Zu diesem Schluss kommt eine Studie, die das FiBL im Auftrag der Migros durchgeführt hat.

Die Kontrolle gastrointestinaler Nematoden bei Weidetieren basiert seit fünf Jahrzehnten nahezu ausschließlich auf dem Einsatz von Anthelminthika. Die derzeit vor allem bei den Schaf- und Ziegennematoden weltweit zunehmende Resistenzproblematik erfordert die Entwicklung neuer, innovativer Kontrollstrategien, wobei die biologische Bekämpfung auf der Basis nematophager Pilze den derzeit erfolgversprechensten Ansatz darstellt. Erste Versuche zur Anwendung dieser Pilze bei Pflanzen und Tieren erfolgten bereits in den 30er Jahren, doch erst in den 90er Jahren führten Experimente zur Prüfung der Passagefähigkeit einzelner Spezies durch den Magen-Darm-Trakt von Rindern zur Isolation von Duddingtonia flagrans, womit ein maßgeblicher Fortschritt erzielt wurde. Dieser Pilz bildet adhäsive, dreidimensionale Fangnetze sowie äußerst resistente Chlamydosporen. Diese Sporen stellen Dauerformen dar, die in der Lage sind, die Magen-Darm-Passage bei Weidetieren zu überleben, im Kot auszukeimen und mit ihren Fangorganen Parasitenlarven und freilebende Nematoden einzufangen. Das hervorragende Potenzial von D. flagrans zur biologischen Nematodenkontrolle wurde bisher in zahlreichen Versuchen mit Rindern, Schafen, Pferden und Schweinen bestätigt. Eine eingeschränkte Kontrollaktivität besteht gegenüber Dictyocaulus und Nematodirus, während die Parasitengruppen, deren Übertragung auf der Basis infektiöser Eier basiert (z. B. Ascaris, Trichuris), durch D. flagrans nicht kontrollierbar sind. Bisher durchgeführte Studien ergaben keine Anhaltspunkte für negative Auswirkungen des Duddingtonia-Einsatzes auf das Ökosystem Weide, doch sind diese Resultate noch durch längerfristige Studien zu ergänzen. Forschungsbedarf besteht weiterhin noch hinsichtlich einer verbesserten Sporenapplikation auf der Basis von Langzeitboli oder Lecksteinen. Fortschritte in diesem Bereich stellen eine Voraussetzung dar für die Einbeziehung der biologischen Bekämpfung in ein integriertes Bekämpfungskonzept, in dem neben den chemotherapeutischen und weidehygienischen Maßnahmen auch zukünftige Entwicklungen, wie die Zucht genetisch resistenter Tiere, bioaktive Futterpflanzen und Vakzinen Anwendung finden werden.

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Forty goats, aged from 2 to 5 months were subjected to two different immunization protocols with a vaccine containing Haemonchus contortus gut membrane proteins H11/H-gal-GP to evaluate protection against H. contortus on pre-contaminated pastures. Goats were allocated to four groups of ten, three of them received their first vaccination before turnout. One group (V4) was then vaccinated at 4-week-intervals whereas another two groups (V6 and V6SEP) were vaccinated at 6-week-intervals. A control group (CTRL) remained unvaccinated. In May, after the second vaccination, all goats were turned out on pastures which had been previously contaminated with H. contortus eggs by seeder sheep for a period of six weeks. Goats of groups V4, V6 and CTRL were grazed together, whereas V6SEP was kept separately at an identical stocking rate. Clinical (PCV, FAMACHA, body weight), parasitological (faecal egg count, FEC) and serological (antibody titres) parameters were measured fortnightly. All goats were stabled in October, drenched with levamisole and two weeks later infected with 5000 L3 of H. contortus and slaughtered four weeks later for determination of abomasal worm burdens. Group mean FEC peaked 42–56 days after turnout. Significantly lower FEC were observed in V6SEP vs CTRL between D 28 and 70 (p < 0.01). Mean egg output of all groups decreased substantially and fluctuated at low levels until the end of the grazing period (D 154). Goats responded to vaccination with increasing antibody titres peaking after every booster. Mean worm burdens deriving from experimental infections were reduced by 89, 65 and 47% in groups V4, V6 and V6SEP, respectively, compared with the controls. The difference was significant for V4 (p < 0.01). Antibody titres measured 14 days before slaughter did not correlate statistically with the worm burdens. It was concluded that the vaccination protocol did not result in sufficient protection on pasture, as antibody titres were still low at the time the goats were exposed to larval contamination on pasture after turnout.

A field study was undertaken on three Swiss sheep farms (A, B, C) to evaluate the efficacy of a long-acting moxidectin formulation (Cydectin® 2% LA) against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN). Naturally infected ewes (all three farms) and their winter-borne lambs (farms A and B) were allocated to two groups (MOX, CON). At day 0 ewes of the MOX-groups were treated with 1 mg moxidectin s.c. CON- and MOX-groups were grazed on separate pastures and were sampled for faeces and blood at 28-day intervals. Larval cultures demonstrated that Haemonchus contortus was the dominant GIN-species in ewes throughout the season. Over the entire observation period faecal egg count (FEC) of the MOX-ewes in farms A, B, C was 56%, 84% and 87% less than the CON-ewes (p