Organic livestock production is charactorized by the avoidance of many antibiotics and antimicrobials. This trial seeks to determine the detrimental effects, if any, of low-level internal parasites on finishing hogs in organic systems. The Frantzens raise organic hogs, but were willing and able to market some that were separately managed and marketed as non-organic. To test for the detrimental effects of low-level parasite loads, one group of hogs was given a dose of Ivermectin, a common dewormer. Hogs not treated with Ivermectin achieved gains similar to those treated for internal parasites. This study suggests little or no parasite effect on the animals’ growth and weight gain.
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