The number of goats in Austria is constantly increasing, the reason for this is the increasing demand for goat milk products. 50% of goat-keeping businesses are organic farms, which are currently challenged by the requirements of the new grazing regulations, according to which all goats must be allowed to graze. Pasture farming is associated with an increased risk of infection for endoparasites - especially gastrointestinal strongyles (MDS) - which severely affect animal health and welfare as well as goat productivity.
MDS control in Austria is largely based on the use of deworming drugs (anthelmintics). This approach is not sustainable and increasingly less effective due to the development of anthelmintic resistance (AR). Little is known about the prevalence of AR in goat MDS in Austria. In addition, there is a lack of sufficiently validated strategies that reduce dependence on dewormers while enabling effective parasite control. The aim of this research project is to record the spread of AR of MDS on goat farms and to evaluate sustainable and implementable parasite control strategies and to provide this information. To do this, the control practices of goat farmers and veterinarians are first documented using a questionnaire. Subsequently, the endoparasite prevalence and the spread of AR of the MDS are examined through a representative study of goat farms in
Austria recorded. MDS species that survive deworming are identified using molecular biology. In addition, two strategies for sustainable parasite control under Austrian goat farming conditions are being evaluated in this project:
a.) the identification of performance and health parameters that are suitable for the targeted, selective treatment of goats
b.) strategic protein supplementation to increase the resilience and resistance of goats to MDS infections.
This research project will, for the first time, provide current information on the spread of AR on Austrian goat farms. In addition, evidence-based strategies for sustainable parasite control in grazed goats in Austria are presented.
