Peri-parturient nematode egg rise in Indonesian ewes

Studies were designed to study the peri-parturient rise in strongyle faecal egg counts (FEC) in ewes grazing in a rubber plantation in North Sumatra, Indonesia. In three consecutive lambing seasons strongyle FEC of peri-parturient ewes and dry ewes were monitored from 2 to 3 weeks before lambing until 7 to 9 weeks post lambing to measure the magnitude and duration of the peri-parturient rise. A significant rise in FEC was observed during the post-parturient period in two of the three studies. FEC increased in the three studies from lambing day, and were elevated until 5 to 9 weeks following lambing. Lactating ewes shed on average 3 times more eggs than dry ewes. Lactating wews were therefore considered as an important source of pasture infection. These findings are discussed in relation to the epidemiology and control of gastrointestinal nematodes in the humid tropics.