Breeding profile

It is generally accepted that sheep and goats in the tropics tend to breed throughout the year. However, definite lambing and kidding peaks are evident during February-April and July-September respectively. Kidding peaks tend to coincide with the time of maximum pasture infectivity (the time when hypobiotic larvae have resumed development). This exposes kids to higher risks of heavy infestations with consequently higher mortality rates.

It is therefore recommended that:

1. Sheep and goats be dewormed before the onset of the rains with an anthelmintic that is effective against the hypobiotic larvae. This will minimise pasture contamination when the rains come and hypobiotic larvae resume development.

2. Breeding of goats be synchronized so that peak kidding does not coincide with the time of high pasture infectivity.