Parasites can be found in every environment on earth and infect
a wide range of hosts – birds, fish, plants, insects, wild animals,
domesticated animals and humans.When parasites
are discussed they often trigger an “ewww” reaction.However, they have much more serious economic,
food security and animal health and welfare impacts when they infect grazing
livestock.Grazing livestock contribute
greatly to food security and this is not going to change any time soon.Not only is the global population (and therefore
food requirement) growing, there is an increasing demand for animal-based food
products in developing regions and there is an essential role of animal
products in marginal environments where crop production is infeasible.Parasite control is therefore vital, but is
not easy to achieve.
Many parasites have complex lifecycles which depend upon specific climatic conditions. For instance, temperature and moisture determine development rates and survival. Farmers could once use this to…
Many parasites have complex lifecycles which depend upon specific climatic conditions. For instance, temperature and moisture determine development rates and survival. Farmers could once use this to…