Roadmap for nematode control strategies

Animals obtain infection from infective elements present in the grass or vegetation. Pasture infectivity will depend on the number of nematode eggs deposited in the paddock, their ability to hatch into larvae and the survival of the latter, which is also limited by the environment. In some areas of the world the infective larvae die in approximately one month but in other places they can survive for several months. We need to confirm under what conditions is possible to use grazing management as a nematode control tool. Such techniques should be based upon the principle that grazing management aims to utilise vegetation when available at its best nutritional quality, and pasture infectivity is a secondary consideration.

Identify the persistence of survival of infective larvae in many environmental conditions where this has not been investigated.
Methods to evaluate presence of infective larvae in grass and other plant species (i.e. herbs and shrubs).
Confirm what plant species hosts in each ecosystem consume, and whether such materials are contaminated with L3 larvae.

Implement tracer studies with species of host of interest as different animal species displays different feeding behaviour in each type of sward.

Confirm that rotation or mixed grazing are realistic options to reduce the presence of infective elements on paddocks.
Sometimes paddocks are communal and farmers cannot avoid other farmers to use the paddocks in any rotational scheme.

Plenty of experimental information shows viability of paddock change, rotational or mixed schemes. However, those methods are still not disseminated. Rotation schemes require a high level of management, including fencing, trained staff or motivated farmers. The goal is also to take advantage of the vegetation, allowing re-generation and avoiding over-exploitation.