Worm Control Practices in Norwegian Sheep and Goat Flocks
Author Information
Author(s): Atle VM Domke, Christophe Chartier, Bjørn Gjerde, Nils Leine, Synnøve Vatn, Olav Østerås, Snorre Stuen
Primary Institution: Norwegian School of Veterinary Science
Hypothesis
The study aims to improve knowledge about worm control practices in small ruminant flocks in Norway.
Conclusion
Inaccurate weight calculation leads to a high risk of under-dosing in over 90% of sheep and goat flocks in Norway, contributing to the potential development of anthelmintic resistance.
Supporting Evidence
- 78.6% of sheep flocks used visual appraisal for weight estimation.
- Mean yearly drenching rate was 2.5 for lambs and 1.9 for ewes.
- 46.3% of sheep flocks never changed the anthelmintic class.
- 33.2% of sheep flocks practiced a dose-and-move strategy.
Takeaway
Farmers in Norway often guess the weight of their sheep and goats when giving them medicine, which can lead to giving them too little medicine and making the worms stronger.
Methodology
A questionnaire survey was conducted among sheep and goat farmers in Norway to gather information on their worm control practices.
Potential Biases
Potential bias due to self-reported data from farmers.
Limitations
The study may not represent all small ruminant flocks in Norway due to the response rate and selection criteria.
Participant Demographics
The study included 587 sheep flocks and 238 goat flocks from various regions in Norway.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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