Parasite Control for Small Ruminant Producers

Small Ruminant Producers: Do you want to improve your parasite control through genetic selection?

The USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program is  offering free Fecal Egg Count (FEC) analysis to assist with selective breeding for resistance to gastrointestinal worms.
AVAILABLE TO:
Ø National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) members wanting to generate Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) for parasite resistance.

  • Free for new NSIP members or current NSIP members that have not been generating EBVs for parasite resistance. We hope to be able to offer a reduced rate for FEC to NSIP members that have previously generated EBVs for parasite resistance.
  • Producers must have the ability to obtain and ship fecal samples from their animals once or twice at least 4 weeks apart following NSIP recommendations.
  • Fecal egg counts can be conducted for all young stock whose data is being submitted to NSIP for analysis. On a case-by-case basis, FECs will be available for animals in early lactation.
  • For more information on the benefits of membership in NSIP please visit nsip.org or contact the NSIP Program Director, Rusty Burgett, (info@nsip.org).

OR
Ø Non-NSIP members living in New England, NY, NJ, PA, WV, MD, DE o Have a history of problems with gastrointestinal nematode worms.

  • Are FAMACHA certified (online training program is available).
  • Are willing to share FAMACHA scores as well as general herd/flock information/history.
  • Have the ability to obtain and ship fecal samples from your animals once or twice at least 4 weeks apart.
  • To allow us to provide this service to the maximum number of producers we are focusing the FEC testing on young replacement animals. On a case-by-case basis, FECs will be available for animals in early lactation.

Samples will be accepted for analysis during the summer months (peak worm season) 2017. For Northeast states, this is typically July through September when conditions are warm and humid. One indicator that worm season is active enough is when 10% or more of your flock/herd has a FAMACHA score of 3 or higher. Typically this means that the average FEC is at least 500 eggs/gram. Animals must not have been dewormed within 4 weeks of testing.
Please contact Holly Burdett or Dr. Katherine Petersson, University of Rhode Island at urisheepandgoat@etal.uri.edu to obtain appropriate fecal sampling and shipping instructions. Please include your name, farm name, mailing address, and whether you are currently an NSIP member.
For more information on parasite control visit our website.
 

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Lindsay Borman

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