Impact of biofumigation on reducing swine parasite contamination on organic pastures

This study explored whether biofumigation with rapeseed can reduce swine parasite eggs in pasture soil. Pastures were subjected to four treatments: rapeseed or Ladino clover pastures, each with or without biofumigation (i.e., mechanical incorporation of plant residues into the soil). Each pasture was split into four paddocks and eight to nine pigs were given access to each paddock for 1 week. Fecal samples (n = 66) were collected from each pig before grazing for analysis of Ascaris suum, Trichuris suis, and Oesophagostomum spp. egg counts. Soil samples (n = 480) were collected from each paddock before grazing, immediately after pigs were removed from paddocks, and weekly thereafter for 3 weeks for analysis of Ascaris suum and Trichuris suis egg counts. Pasture treatment did not affect egg counts of either parasite species in the soil. Eggs of A. suum and T. suis in pasture soil were reduced (both P < 0.05) 2 weeks after pigs were removed, compared to before grazing and immediately after pigs were removed. Results suggest that biofumigation was not effective in reducing swine parasite eggs in organic pasture soil under conditions of the current study, and parasite contamination was reduced 2 weeks after pigs were removed from pastures regardless of biofumigation.