Genetic Selection To Help Eradicate Parasitic Worm Problems

Genetic selection can help the sheep industry deal with parasitic worms when pesticides fail to be effective, University of Guelph researchers found.

The sheep industry is plagued with problems of parasitic worms and relies heavily on drugs to deal with it. However with time, these worms become immune to the these drugs and chemicals and farmers are forced to look for other alternatives. Genetic selection can be a solution to the problem, according to a press release.

Some sheep breeds are immune to parasitic worms. By adopting an interbreeding program that facilitates passing on this immunity shield to other more common sheep breeds, professionals can effectively deal with the problem of helminths.

"With today's developments in genomic selection, breeding sheep for helminth resistance can be achieved efficiently, without adversely affecting other economically important traits," explained Niel Karrow, lead author of the paper, a researcher at the Centre for Genetic Improvement of Livestock at the University of Guelph. "We believe that breeding for helminth resistance, when combined with good biosecurity and pasture management practises, will greatly help to control against production losses due to gastrointestinal parasites."

An added advantage to using genetic selection over chemicals and pesticides is that the former method is permanent and a onetime solution while drugs  provide no guarantee of eradicating the pest. Moreover, the interbreeding lessens the likelihood of chemical residues in products made from sheep for human consumption.

Meat contamination is a growing problem that many consumers are facing. There have been many incidents in the recent pasts where manufacturers have had to recall certain products due to excess levels of contamination.

Contamination of meat is not restricted to only pesticides and viruses. Recently, more than 900 were arrested in China for trying to pass off  fox, rat, and mink meat as mutton, Independent.com reported.