Re: Parasites in Tropical Ruminants

Stuart McMillan (ummcmil9@cc.umanitoba.ca)
Fri, 09 Oct 1998 12:14:30 -0500

Sanet,
Others out there might be more able to answer this more in depth. You spoke
of the integration of ruminants on the pasture, including stimulating the
soils with vermicomposting. You may need to include another animal be it
small mammal or more probably a bird of some type with a preference for
parasitic larvae along with your various ruminants.
During a Permaculture design course I attended, Bill Mollison spoke of the
integration of quail, guinea hens, as a method of reducing ticks on
ruminants. Also believe he suggested chickens and ducks to reduce fly
larvae. Researchers here in Canada at the University of Guelph have found
that stocking cattle pasture with Moscovy ducks has reduced fly populations by
over 90%. Check out back issues of the Permaculture Activist for more info on
this or hopefully other more experienced sanetters will know other pieces of
the puzzle.
Good luck,
Stuart McMillan
Organic Agricultural Coordinator, CGP Canada
Student of Agroecology

> This is a query to those of you who might know of ways internal parasites
> have been controlled in the humid tropics (rainy-dry season) in
> ruminants, especially hair sheep and goats, using local resources and/or
> management.
>
> I am involved in the creation of a research and demonstration project in
> Cuba. It will be holistic in design, integrating intensive grazing,
> legume nitrogen/protein banks, silvopastoralism, vermicomposting and
> other practices in an attempt at sustainability in low, largely local,
> inputs. The cornerstone will be ruminants: flocks of goats and Pelibuey
> sheep, and a few oxen for traction. They will produce milk, meat, and
> fertilizer for growing other foods.
>
> One of the main problems to be solved promises to be internal parasite
> control. I'm thinking some of you in similar climates elsewhere in Latin
> America may have dealt with this problem in small ruminants. Thanks, Karl
>

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