Mixed Grazing Fails to Reduce Parasitism
French researchers invalidated the hypothesis that dilution or mixed species grazing (goats + cattle) will reduce parasite infection (in goats).
Mixed grazing of breeding goats and cattle was monitored for two years on a rotational pasture, with the two species grazing together, followed by five years with cattle grazing immediately after goats. The goats to cattle ratio was about 50%, based on metabolic weight.
In both situations, the level of goat parasite infection was not significantly different from the control groups. However, there was a slight improvement in kid growth and goat productivity, probably due to better feed quality. The response of adult goats to mixed grazing was very different from that previously obtained with kids post-weaning.