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Imprint
Preventive animal health concepts for small ruminants in organic farming
Project
Project code: 03OE458
Contract period: 01.05.2004
- 30.04.2005
Budget: 47,123 Euro
Purpose of research: Applied research
Results can be considered likewise for organic and conventional farming. A basic problem in Germany is a lack of qualified support (vets/agriculture consultants). Endoparasites: Prophylactic management, monitoring of faecal egg counts and restricted drug use can reduce parasites to an acceptable level and slow down development of drug resistance. Part of herd or individual dosing should replace routinely flock deworming. Indoor animal husbandry combined with a paved outlet seems to be reasonable in herds with serious problems. A herd health plan and breeding for parasitic resistance is desired. No alternatives for deworming are available at the moment. Infectious diseases: Routinely herd documentary/analysis should be initialized. Minimal standard is examination of death and weak animals (rate > 5%). Commitment on a general herd health plan was declined (farmers), but free assessment to modules of a hygienic program was desired. Vaccination is limited by the offer of commercial vaccines. It is necessary to lower the regulations for import (EU) and use vaccines. Homeopathic drugs are not suitable form deworming, but they may support general body condition. Positive site effect of homeopathic use is the improvement of animal observation/management. A transmission of responsibility on food safety from the administrative body to the producers must be expected in the future. Trace elements: Mineral supplements are necessary in organic farming as well. Opportunities of using special plants/leaves/fertilizer are limited. Crop is too low in trace elements contents regarding goats. An increase of routinely analysis of food, blood and liver samples is necessary to verify herd status. Increasing loss of biodiversity may be responsible for a decrease of trace element supply of the pasture. Research should focus on better diagnostic methods for trace element status, on reference values for goats as well as on data bases of local trace element contents of plants.
Section overview
Subjects
- Animal health
Framework programme
Federal Organic Farming Scheme and other forms of sustainable agriculture (BÖLN)
