Nutritional programming of young sheep to improve later-life production and resistance to nematode parasites: a brief review

Title
Nutritional programming of young sheep to improve later-life production and resistance to nematode parasites: a brief review
Publication Date
2003
Author(s)
Knox, M. R.
Deng, Kai Dong
Nolan, John Vivian
( author )
OrcID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7949-950X
Email: jnolan@une.edu.au
UNE Id une-id:jnolan
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
CSIRO Publishing
Place of publication
Australia
DOI
10.1071/EA03051
UNE publication id
une:2770
Abstract
Nutritional supplementation, particularly with high quality protein, can increase the resistance and resilience of sheep to infection with gastrointestinal nematode parasites. Nonetheless, this approach to improved nematode parasite control has not been widely adopted, probably because the cost of supplements is usually greater than the immediate production benefits that are conferred. Evidence is presented to support the proposition that long-term effects on liveweight, wool production, reproductive performance and immunity to nematode infection can be programmed through strategic supplementation of sheep during periods of nutritional scarcity. Where optimal efficiency of lifetime production is desired, particular attention should be paid to ensuring that nutritional needs are met and negative impacts of nematode parasitism are minimised during lactation and around the time of weaning.
Link
Citation
Australian Journal of Experimental Agriculture, 43(12), p. 1431-1435
ISSN
1446-5574
0816-1089
1836-5787
1836-0939
Start page
1431
End page
1435

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