The effect of trichostrongylosis on pasture intake of sheep

Abstract

The pasture intake of previously worm-free Merino sheep after infestation with the intestinal parasite, Trichostrongylus colubriformis, was compared with that of similar but non-infested sheep. The infestation did not produce a fall in food intake, an effect in direct contrast to that usually reported for pen-fed sheep. Body weights of infested sheep were not affected.

The effect of the presence of intestinal parasites on the accuracy of the indirect "ratio" methods for estimating pasture intake of individual animals is discussed.