Anthelmintic usage on goat farms in New Zealand Results of a postal survey

Abstract

A nationwide postal survey in New Zealand of about 3850 goat farmers was conducted in 1988 to determine gastrointestinal nematode control practices. The analysis of 848 replies revealed that at least 16.9%, 20.0% and 34.4% were drenching their adults, yearlings and kids respectively 10 or more times per year. During 1987–88, 42.0% used only ivermectin, 9.0% only a benzimidazole and 1.9% only levamisole or morantel; 42.7% used anthelmintics from two different action families and 3.5% used all three action families. In total, 85.8% had used ivermectin at some stage during the preceding 12 months. Ivermectin was used by 46.5% during the 1987–88 season and also for the 3 preceding years. Sixty percent estimated the weight of their goats only by eye. Twenty-seven percent set the dose volume of the drench gun for the average weight of the goats in the mob, not the heaviest. Drenching frequency was positively correlated with the ratio of goat stock units to total stock units and also with the actual stocking rate of kids and yearlings.