Fertilizers on pastures in relation to infestation of goats with strongyles, small lungworms and Moniezia

Abstract

The efficacy of several fertilizers on infective larvae of Teladorsagia circumcincta was tested under experimental conditions. Calcium cyanamide, iron sulfate and a mixture of calcium cyanamide and basic slag (Scoramide) were among the best candidates. From assats on small experimental plots, Scoramide and iron sulfate might have been tried in farm experiments. Scoramide was only tested due to its better agronomical input (lime, nitrogenous, phosphoric and potassium fertilization). Scoramide was also efficient as a molluscicide on one intermediate host, Cernuella virgata, of the small lungworm Muellerius capillaris. Pasture infestivity with strongyles was not reliably reduced in paddocks, and infestation of goats was not significantly modified. Conversely, M. capillaris and Moniezia sp. infestation of goats was reduced by pasture top dressing in spring with Scoramide.