Organic and other non-intensive animal production systems are of growing importance
in several countries worldwide. In contrast to conventional farms, parasite control
on organic farms is affected by several of the prescribed changes in management e.g.
access to the outdoors in the summer and in most countries, a ban on preventive medication,
including use of anti-parasiticides. Organic animal production relies heavily on grazing,
and pasture or soil related parasites are thus of major importance. Several studies
in northern temperate climate have indicated that outdoor production of pigs, primarily
sows, and laying hens results in heavier and more prevalent helminth infections compared
to conventional intensive production under indoor conditions. In organic dairy cattle,
parasitic gastroenteritis in heifers may be more prevalent. In a short to medium term
perspective, integrated control may combine grazing management with biological control
using nematophagous micro-fungi, selected crops like tanniferous plants and on conventional
farms, limited use of anti-parasiticides. At present, the non-chemotherapeutic control
of pasture related infections is based mainly on grazing management strategies. Preventive
strategies, where young, previously unexposed stock, are turned out on parasite-free
pastures, can be used for grazing first season dairy heifers and in all-in-all-out
poultry production. Evasive strategies aim at avoiding disease producing infections
of a contaminated area by moving to a clean area and may be relevant for ruminants
and pigs. In cattle, effective control of nematodes can be achieved by repeated moves
of the herd or alternate grazing with other species. High stocking rates seem to be
an important risk factor. In pig production, the effect of paddock rotation on parasite
infections is largely unknown and studies are warranted. Control of nematodes by larvae-trapping
fungi, or perhaps in the future by egg-destroying fungi, looks promising for ruminants
and certain monogastric animals but delivery systems and practical dosing regimes
integrated with grazing management have to be developed. In conclusion, good prospects
are expected for acceptable parasite control without a heavy reliance on anti-parasiticides
through integration of the above mentioned procedures but future studies are needed
to confirm their efficacy under practical farming conditions.