Diet selection is an important requirement for evaluating the effects of herbivores on their environments; this would increase understanding of plant-herbivore interactions and help to achieve optimal management strategies and profitable animal performance. The development of a sound understanding of diet selection will be a key to improving the management of pastures. Diet selection describes the decisions animals make with regard to the plant material (plant parts, plant species and patches) they choose. The aim of this book was to investigate how plants characteristics, chemistry and the...

Nematode parasites are considered one of the main health problems, affecting small ruminants production worldwide due to their resistance to the commercial anthelmintics. Wattle tannin has been used as an alternative strategy for control. However, concentrations and frequencies can likely influence tannin effect on parasites control. The aim of this book was to determine the degree of pasture infestation and nematode infection in sheep and goats, nematode resistance to some of the anthelmintics and the potential of wattle tannin in nematodes control.

Gastro-intestinal nematodes have been identified as the primary parasites of small ruminants in tropical and sub-tropical areas. Their control has depended upon chemical compounds, but this does not seem to work due to nematode resistance. However, the book has shown that botanical plants and biological control agents could be effective replacements for chemicals when supplemented with the diet of small ruminants.