WORMS IN SHEEP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXIII, 29 June 1939, Page 3

WORMS IN SHEEP

HILL COUNTRY SAFETY DAME AULAS ENCOURAGE PARASITIC INVASION POLLUTION A RAPID PROCESS The common knowledge that hill land is the safest sheep pasturage. accepted by farmers of lbrtg-startding, i£ explained by the fact that the lower lands Offer better conditions for worm egg or larval development than do the hillsides, which are washed free of contamination with every storm. The dampness of the valleys and the heavy vegetation favour the young worm, in that they afford protection from the wind and sun. The surface run-off of water from the hills carries with it the worm eggs deposited with the natural discharges from the sheep as they graze the higher ground; this tends to concentrate parasitic troubles on the low areas. Any field with water pools all the time, or only after rains, is an aid to bringing the lambs and parasites together, because the worm eggs or larvae may be washed into such pools, contaminate the water and thereby infest the sheep. The menace of old pastures, wljere sheep have been running for years, is not generally recognised by sheep owners. The soil surface and grass blades of such places are heavily infested with the young worms or eggs of whatever internal parasites the sheep or lambs may be carrying. METHOD OF INFESTATION The sheep, with its cleft lip. grazes close, the latterly placed eyes do not 1 permit it to see the exact spot from j which it is- cropping the grass. The i worm eggs and worm larvae are too ! minute to be seen, so the sheep is ! apt to pick up more than grass when feeding. The route to the stomach, ; the intestine and the lungs is short J for the parasite that is stealing its] Way. Give the sheep a chance by I allowing them to graze on land free j from contamination of the droppings | of wormy sheep. Pollution comes I quickly; one sheep heavily infested with stomach worms will distribute j in her discharges not less than J 3.000,000 worm eggs each day. This j will indicate the necessity for fre- j quent change of grazing ground, the resting of old pasture areas, and the use of care and judgment in the purchase of sheep.