THE SELF-MEDICATIVE BEHAVIOR OF SHEEP

Domestic animals are disadvantaged whenever they are confined or removed from natural environments. As stewards we manage opportunities for diet and parasite control. We can manage animals more effectively at lower cost by allowing the animals to use naturally occurring secondary compounds to their advantage. The necessary physiology exists and with adequate exposure the learning process can be enhanced. Using tannins to control parasites and enhance intake of high-alkaloid plants that can neutralize the negative effects of tannin could be very effective at maintaining animal health while controlling cost. There is also an advantage in planting forages with natural PSM levels because they can survive under stressful extremes including drought and heavy grazing which could help producers meet economic objectives. By taking these more natural management approaches in environmentally sensitive