It has long been known that animals can eat different plants, trees and roots not just for nutrition. Compounds in these may also have medicinal effects that help the animals avoid sickness. Photo: Adobe express
Exploring Natural Solutions to Parasites in Free-Range Farming
We are looking at more natural ways to combat parasites in livestock. As a part of a wider research initiative we are looking at a range of tree species used in various countries, including conifers and alnus in Norway, poplar and salix in Denmark, and oak, corylus, and sorbus in Slovenia. The goal is to collect samples from these trees and test them for anti-parasitic properties in the lab, a process set to be completed by autumn 2023.
Disease prevention through better farm-practices
The study is not just confined to the lab. It extends to real-world farm environments where different strategies are being tested to reduce parasites in livestock. For instance, some farmers are rotating their animals between different pastures or woods, while others are using various plant and tree species to naturally control weeds and parasites. Some are even tailoring their prevention strategies based on the specific parasites present on their farms, such as managing water sources or grazing patterns.
The team is still working closely with farmers, collecting samples and evaluating different parasite reduction strategies. This research could lead to innovative, environmentally friendly methods to manage parasites, benefiting both farmers and the wider ecosystem.
Lab experiments
The selected plants are undergoing acetone extraction and laboratory testing to evaluate their effectiveness against parasites. While some plant samples are ready, the team awaits the final summer collections before proceeding with more in-depth lab tests this autumn.
The willow-tree is one of the trees that is studied for potential health-boosting effects in free-range farm animals, Photo: Adobe express
Field studies
In practical field studies, experiments involving organic finisher pigs were conducted to observe the effects of access to Willow tree,. However, initial results were inconclusive due to variable egg counts of helminth parasites in the pigs. A more controlled study is planned for 2023 to yield clearer insights.
Helminths are intestinal worms that spread their eggs via the host animal’s droppings. The eggs can survive in the soil for a long time until another animal comes in contact with it while grazing or rooting in the soil. Photo: Adobe express.