Intensive rotational grazing reduces nematode faecal egg counts in sheep on the Cicerone Project

The Cicerone Project was set up to study the long term profitability and sustainability of three different input and grazing management systems. The Cicerone Project consists of three farmlets each with management systems contrasting in inputs (levels of fertilisers and pastures) and grazing management. Farmlet A has high input, high stocking rate, with flexible grazing, and farmlet B has moderate input, moderate stocking rate with the same grazing management. Farmlet C has moderate inputs and high stocking density with intensive rotational grazing. The results are presented of analysis of nematode faecal egg counts (FEC) taken for flock monitoring purposes over the last 4 years. There were significant interactions between the effects of farmlet and date of sampling. As grazing and pasture management began to take effect, FEC values for Farmlet C were consistently lower than for the other two farmlets, suggesting superior worm control.