American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control

Organic livestock production is increasing in the United States, due to demand for organic products, including meat, milk, and fiber. Offering certified organic products can be a way for livestock producers to receive a higher price.  Additionally, some producers choose to use organic practices out of a desire to limit chemical use.  Whether or not your livestock are certified organic, many organic management practices are useful to know to promote the health of your animals. . 

Organic regulations require producers to use good management and animal selection as the primary means of raising healthy animals. The organic regulations also require producers to use effective means to treat illness if the preventive techniques fail.  Following is a description of the preventive techniques and of the (very limited) options for organically acceptable treatments. 

Parasites are present on our farms, and it is impossible to eradicate them completely.  When parasite numbers are too high for the host animal’s immune system to control, we observe signs of disease, including weight loss, appetite loss, depression, weakness, and, if not treated, death.

Yet animals have always coexisted with these parasites.  The keys to coexisting include a strong immune system and low exposure to internal parasites.  A strong immune system is naturally present in some animals.  Selecting those breeds and individuals is part of a good animal-health strategy.  Additionally, strong immune systems are encouraged through good nutrition and low stress, including healthy living conditions and calm handling.

Meanwhile, exposure to parasites will not overwhelm the strong immune system if parasite numbers are kept low.  This is accomplished through sanitation (clean water tanks and feed troughs) and through pasture management.

These keys to preventing illness from parasites are stated in the organic regulations.  Here is what the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Organic Program (NOP) Livestock Health Care Practice standard says regarding parasites: (7 CFR §205.238)
 

1. Producer must use preventive practices, including:
    

   • Animal selection, choosing species and types suitable for local conditions and resistant to prevailing diseases and parasites.

   • Provide adequate nutrition.

   • Establish housing, pasture conditions, and sanitation practices to minimize occurrence of diseases and parasites.

   • Keep stress low.
      

2. When the above measures are not enough to prevent sickness, a producer may use synthetic medications, provided they are allowed under 205.603 (the National List of Allowed and Prohibited Substances) but ONLY in certain circumstances. These include:
    

   • Breeding stock, when not in the last third of gestation but not during lactation for progeny that are to be sold, labeled, or represented as organically produced.

   • Dairy stock, when used a minimum of 90 days prior to producing organic milk.
      

3. A producer is PROHIBITED from:

   • Using synthetic parasiticides on a routine basis.

   • Using synthetic parasiticides on slaughter stock.
      

There is very limited use of certain parasiticides in organic production.  However, organic producers are obligated to treat sick animals, even if it means they lose organic status (check 205.238(c)(7) – NOP CFR). For example, if a group of young lambs becomes parasitized and needs treatment, the producer is required to treat them and then identify and note clearly in the records the treated individuals, which no longer have organic status.  As of July 27, 2017, here is what the National List says about parasiticides:

(18) Parasiticides—Prohibited in slaughter stock, allowed in emergency treatment for dairy and breeder stock when organic system plan-approved preventive management does not prevent infestation. Milk or milk products from a treated animal cannot be labeled as provided for in sub-part D of this part for 90 days following treatment. In breeder stock, treatment cannot occur during the last third of gestation if the progeny will be sold as organic and must not be used during the lactation period for breeding stock.
 

(i) Fenbendazole (CAS #43210-67-9). Only for use by or on the lawful written order of a licensed veterinarian.

(ii) Ivermectin (CAS #70288-86-7).

(iii) Moxidectin (CAS #113507-06-5).  For control of internal parasites only.
 

These restrictions must be respected to market slaughter stock or organic milk.  Always check with your certifier before using any material to be sure the use is acceptable.