Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test
A Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test was
initiated at the Western Maryland Research & Education Center
in Keedysville, Maryland, on June 10, 2006. Thirty-one (31) goats
remain on test. The test will conclude on October 7. While on test,
the goats have been evaluated for growth performance, carcass merit,
and parasite resistance.
Six states represented
The goats in the test were consigned by breeders from six states:
Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, West Virginia, Georgia, Tennessee,
and Oklahoma. All of the goats are intact males. They are Kiko,
Boer, and Kiko x Boer crosses.
Since July 10th, the goats have been handled every two weeks to
determine their FAMACHA© eye anemia scores, body condition
scores, and need for deworming. They have been weighed every four
weeks to determine average daily gain (ADG). Fecal samples were
collected at 0, 28, and 56 days and are still being analyzed to
determine genetic differences in parasite resistance (i.e. fecal
egg counts). The goats were scanned on September 25 to determine
carcass characteristics.
 While
on test, the only supplementation the goats have received is free
choice minerals, provided by Summit Livestock Minerals, of Pulaski,
Virginia. The goats are rotationally grazed on ten acres of cool
season grasses. They always have access to a central laneway containing
three Port-a-hut shelters, water, and mineral feeders. The laneway
also contains a handling system where the goats can be gathered
and individually handled.
84-day report
The 31 bucks gained an average of 0.256 lbs. per day for the first
84 days of the test (through August 31). Individual goats gained
between 0.110 and 0.378 lbs. per day. Body condition scores have
not changed considerably over the test period, while FAMACHA©
scores have varied throughout the testing period. 21/31 goats required
deworming on August 4, 11/31 on August 18 and September 15. Deworming
was minimal at all other times. The decision to deworm is based
primarily on FAMACHA© and body condition scores. A full report
will be contained in the next newsletter.
Next Year
Next year’s Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance
Test will begin on June 9, 2007 and conclude on October 6. The 2007
test is open to buck and wether kids of any breed or breed cross.
Registration papers are not required. Goats must be born between
December 15, 2006, and March 15, 2007 (inclusive). Producers may
consign up to 5 animals. It is recommended that producers consign
at least two goats. Health papers issued within 30 days of the start
of the test are required.
A maximum of 50 goats will be accepted for the test. The test is
open to breeders, including 4-H youth, in any state. Maryland producers
are guaranteed 50 percent of the test slots. Consigners are required
to sign a statement releasing the University of Maryland from any
liability. There will be a fee for each goat consigned. This year
the fee was $75 per goat. If we are able to find sponsors, this
fee can be reduced. The fees pay for pasture maintenance (lime and
fertilizer), fencing repairs, veterinary costs, labor, and data
collection.
Keep up-to-date with the pasture test by visiting the web site:
http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com/
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Goat AI Workshop at UMES
Dr. Niki Whitley at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES)
is hosting a goat artificial insemination (AI) workshop/clinic to
be taught by Biogenics, Ltd. on November 1-2, 2006. The workshop
will be two days long (from 9 am to 6 pm both days) with the first
day consisting of classroom teaching and the second day hands-on
learning/practice.
Goats for the hands-on work will be provided by UMES, however, you
must provide your own equipment for AI. For more information about
the format or equipment see: http://www.biogenicsltd.com/clinics.html
or to sign up for one of five spaces available, please contact Dr.
Whitley at nwhitley@umes.edu
or 443-614-1968.
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Fecal Egg Count Affected by Sire
Dr. Niki Whitley, University of Maryland Eastern Shore
 UMES
has been conducting a SARE-funded
study for the past three years looking at lamb performance when
using different ram breeds on Katahdin ewes: Suffolk, Dorper, and
Texel. This year, lambs are represented by 3 different sires per
breed, resulting in some very interesting results at weaning.
At least 9 ewes were bred to each ram with at least 20 ewes lambing
to represent each breed. Lambs were not creep fed and only got the
amount of grain they could “steal” from their mothers
at feed time. They were weaned at approximately 90 days of age.
At weaning, fecal samples were collected to look at internal parasite
egg counts and blood samples were drawn to determine if the animals
were anemic. If they were anemic (packed cell volume 20% or less),
they were dewormed with Cydectin®. All animals were dewormed
with Safeguard® for tapeworms (but it’s not very effective
on any other worms in our flock).
Although we have not used statistics to analyze the results, there
were breed (and minor sire) differences in parasite resistance indicators
in the lambs at weaning. It seems that Suffolk and Dorper sired
lambs had the highest fecal egg counts (reported as eggs per gram,
or epg, of feces) and also had the highest percentage of lambs that
needed deworming (see Table 1 and 2). Texel lambs had the lowest
and Katahdin the second lowest fecal egg counts and similar amounts
of lambs that needed deworming.
Texel lambs also had low fecal egg counts last year, but there
was only one sire represented. This data seems to confirm (so far)
that Texel sired Katahdin lambs have low fecal parasite eggs. Other
studies have found that Dorper sired lambs had high fecal egg counts,
but it was thought that they were more resilient (more tolerant
of the worms), but that is not the case so far in this study.
Again, though we have not analyzed the data yet to see if there
are true differences, numerically, the overall lowest counts were
for lambs from a Texel ram (288 epg). A Katahdin ram, WES 502, sired
the purebred Katahdin lambs with the lowest fecal egg counts at
weaning (887 epg compared to 1189 and 2098 for the other rams).
The Suffolk ram with lambs having the lowest fecal egg counts in
their sire breed group had 995 epg (compared to 1322 and 2247 epg
for the other rams) and the Dorper ram with lambs having the lowest
fecal egg counts in their breed group was from a local farm (1921
epg).
So far, these are interesting results, but there is
still more data to collect and statistical analysis to be conducted.
Stay tuned for more information as it becomes available. Anyone
interested in using a Texel, Suffolk or Dorper ram on their farm
(free), please contact me (Dr. Niki Whitley) at 410-651-6194 or
nwhitley@umes.edu.
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4-H/FFA Meat Goat Show at Maryland State
Fair
This was the fourth year of the 4-H/FFA Meat Goat Show at the Maryland
State Fair. Each year, the show gets bigger and better, and the
competition gets stiffer.
This year’s Grand Champion Meat Goat Showman was Konnar Miller
from Smithsburg. Konnar was the Intermediate Champion. Kyle Hudson
from Avenue was the top senior showman, while Cooper Bounds from
Taneytown won the junior competition. This was the first year of
the Dean’s Championship Challenge. Konnar bested last year’s
champion Troy Bennett to win this honor.
 Konnar
was also the exhibitor of the Grand Champion Market Goat. Her 88-lb.
doe kid brought $5.50 per pound in the 4-H Livestock Auction. The
Reserve Champion Market Goat was an 88-lb. wether exhibited by Grace
Garst from Walkersville. Grace opted not to sell her goat in the
sale.
Claire Bennett from Uniontown exhibited the market goat with the
highest rate-of-gain. Her 94-lb. doe kid gained 0.63 lbs. per day.
This is an exceptional rate of gain for a goat. Claire also had
the market goat with the second highest rate-of-gain at 0.48 lbs.
per day. The champion and reserve champion market goats both gained
well at 0.42 lbs. per day.
This year's rate-of-gains were significantly better than previous
years. The 52 goats in the show average 0.289 lbs. per day, compared
to 0.234 last year. By way of comparison, the buck kids in our Meat
Goat Performance Test have been gaining 0.256 lbs. per day on a
pure pasture diet with no grain supplementation. Market goats which
gained more than 0.3 lbs. per day received blue (excellent) awards.
Those gaining between 0.2 and 0.29 lbs. per day received red (very
good) awards and those gaining less than 0.2 lbs. per day received
white (good) awards.
This was the first year the meat goat breeding show was divided
into commercial and registered shows. The Champion Registered Doe
was a 2 year old doe exhibited by Grace Garst. The Champion Commercial
Doe was a yearling exhibited by Kyle Hudson. Grace's registered
doe was named Grand Champion Doe of the 2006 show.
The Champion Commercial Buck was a senior buck kid exhibited by
Sara Culver from Elkton. The Reserve Champion was the second place
senior  buck
kid exhibited by Carlene Lease from New Wind-sor. In the registered
division, Levi Lantz (Oakland) had the Champion Buck, while Cody
Thorne (Bryantown) was the exhibitor of the Reserve Champion Registered
Buck.
The judge for both this year's and last year's show was Bob Hare
from Winchester, Ohio. Bob is a senior judge with the U.S. Boer
Goat Association.
As the show continues to grow and improve in quality, changes can
be made. For next year, I plan to add classes for Best Bred and
Owned Market Goat and Best Bred and Owned Doe. The fitting and showing
classes are getting large enough that we should divide them. The
doe kid classes are also big enough to warrant another class split
into junior, intermediate, and senior doe kids. The other idea I
have is to add a class for performance tested bucks. In this class,
4-H youth would consign buck kids to our meat goat performance test
in Western Maryland. I would also like to see about adding a few
goats to the 4-H auction. Currently, we can only sell six market
goats.
Please contact Susan at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu
if you have suggestions as to how we can improve 4-H meat goat projects
and the meat goat show at the Maryland State Fair.
Sponsors Needed
We are looking for persons, farms, or organizations who would like
to sponsor an award for the 4-H/FFA Meat Goat Show at the Maryland
State Fair. Please contact Susan at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu
or Willie Lantz at (301)-334-6966 or wlantz@umd.edu
if you are interested.
Visit http://mdsheepgoat.blogspot.com/
to view additional photos of the Maryland State Fair 4-H/FFA
Meat Goat Show.
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MPWV Meat Goat Fall Meeting
The fall meeting of the MPWV* Meat Goat Producers Association will
be held on November 18th starting at 9 a.m. at the Berkeley County
Fairgrounds near Martinsburg, WV. The day will include an educational
program, the Association meeting, a lunch featuring goat meat, and
an auction at 1:00 p.m. of about 100 breeding goats. For more information
on the sale, call Willie Lantz at 301-334-4121 or email wlantz@umd.edu.
The purpose of the MPWV is to promote the production of meat goats
in the region. Membership is open to anyone. The membership fee
is $35 for the first year and $20 to renew. For information on the
MPWV visit their website at www.meatgoat.biz.
*MPWV - Maryland-Pennsyvlania-West Virginia
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Meat Production with Goats & Sheep Forum
The Forum for Rural Innovation will present "Meat Production
with Goats and Sheep in the Mid-Atlantic: Turn Grass into $$$"
on Friday,  October
13, 2006, at the Best Western Lee Jackson Motor Inn & Conference
Center in Winchester, Virginia.
The forum will feature a series of presentations to detail the
potential of small ruminants and address several of the essentials
for getting started in production. It is intended to provide farmers,
landowners, rural business owners, local elected and appointed officials,
Extension educators, economic development and planning professionals
an opportunity to hear innovations in the sheep and goat industry.
Space is limited to the first 150 people who register. Pre-registration
is required by October 3. The $30 registration fee includes continental
breakfast and lunch (featuring lamb and goat). Registration and
trade show information will be available online at www.jeffersonfarms.org
or by calling (304) 728-7413 ext 2.
If you are unable to attend the event, proceedings (a CD) will
be available free of charge. Contact Craig Yohn at (304) 728-7413
x2 or craig.yohn@mail.wvu.edu
if you're interested in obtaining a copy.
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Worms, Worms, and . . . more Worms!
Testing for Anthelmintic Resistance
DrenchRite® is an in vitro test that involves hatching out
worm larvae from a composite fecal sample and testing the larvae
for vulnerability to the different anthelmintics. The DrenchRite®
test is commonly used in Australia and is available through the
diagnostic lab at the University of Georgia, College of Veterinary
Medicine.
On a Maryland farm
A DrenchRite® test was recently conducted on a composite fecal
sample from a sheep farm in central Maryland. Test results showed
high resistance to the benzimidazole group of anthelmintics (Valbazen®
and SafeGuard®). Drug efficacy for this class of drugs was predicted
to be  only
6 percent. Resistance to levamisole (Levasol®, Tramisol®,
Prohibit®) was moderately high. Drug efficacy for levamisole
was predicted to be 66 percent for the barber pole worm (Haemonchus
contortis) and only 51 percent for Trichostrongylus.
Suprisingly, barber pole worms on this farm were still sensitive
to ivermectin. However, Trichostrongylus worms were resistant to
ivermectin. All stomach worms were sensitive to moxidectin (Cydectin®
, Quest®). The DrenchRite® test does not directly test for
moxidectin resistance, but resistance can be determined based on
ivermectin doses.
Limit use of moxidectin
Based on the results of this test, this producer should not rely
on the benzimidazoles for treatment of stomach worms. These products
should still be effective against tapeworms, though tapeworms tend
to be non-pathogenic in most flocks. To preserve the effectiveness
of moxidectin, this producer should limit its use to clinically
parasitized animals (e.g. FAMACHA© scores 4 or 5).
The DrenchRite® assay offers a viable alternative to the laborious
task of performing multiple fecal egg counts. However, testing is
currently on hold, as the lab in Georgia seeks a new lab technician.
For more information, visit:
http://www.scsrpc.org/SCSRPC/ProdRec/sdrench.htm.
Double Dose Fenbendazole (for Goats)
Fenbendazole or Safe-Guard® received Food and Drug Administration
approval for use in goats in 2003. In the summer of 2004, "Safe-Guard®
Dewormer for Goats" became available in a 125 ml bottle. The
labeled dosage is 2.3 ml per hundred pounds of body weight, the
same as cattle.
In goats, Safe-Guard® is labeled for the removal and control
of Haemonchus contortus and Teladorsagia circumcincta
(adult worms). For years, veterinarians have been advocating 2X
the cattle dose or a 10 mg/kg dose for goats (approximately 5 ml
or a 10 percent suspension per 100 lbs. of body weight. This is
twice the cattle dose and twice the current labeled goat dose of
5 mg/kg. Tapeworm control is achieved at the 10 mg/kg level, but
not the 5 mg/kg level.
Intervet, the manufacturer of Safe-Guard®, is reviewing the
possibility of obtaining a higher dose on the Safe-Guard® goat
label. Fenbendazole is not FDA-approved for use in sheep. Goats
should not be slaughtered for food within six days of treatment.
Safe-Guard® should not be used in lactating dairy goats.
Source: Goat Rancher Magazine,
September 2004
Dog Sniffs Sheep for Worms
 A
sniffer dog has been trained to tell which sheep have parasitic
worms, Australian researchers show.
The dog's skills will be used to develop an electronic handheld
"sniffer" device to detect gastrointestinal nematodes
in sheep.
"Scents, and the use of sniffer dogs to detect them, are used
to determine the presence of a number of substances," says
chief investigator Associate Professor Mark Sandeman. For more information
visit
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stories/s1617432.htm
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Featured Web Sites
Scott County Hair Sheep Association
http://www.hairsheep.us/index.html
 The
Scott County Hair Sheep Association (in Virginia) launched its new
web site on June 1, 2006. The new web site offers an exciting online
venue for members and non-members to meet, share ideas, and discuss
industry issues. Board member Martha Mewbourne says, "the new
web site is a testament to the growth and progressive attitude of
this organization. The web site adds a new dimension to our organization
and a convenient place for our community to meet and interact."
The web site features many educational resources, talk forums,
classifieds, recipes, and the ability to join the association online.
Enhanced features such as a detailed member index and the ability
to post classified ads online are available to association members
through the site. Non-members are welcome on the site and may register
to participate in the forums. Those interested in membership may
download a PDF application or apply directly on the web site. Online
dues payment will be available in the near future.
National Hair Sheep Workshop
http://www.sheepusa.org
In June 2005, Virginia State University hosted a Hair Sheep Workshop.
The workshop was co-sponsored by the National Sheep Industry Improvement
Center (www.nsiic.org) and the
NCERA-190 Regional Research Project (Increasing efficiency of sheep
production). The purpose of the workshop was to provide timely,
research-based information on the production potential of hair sheep
and their role in the U.S. Sheep Industry.
A web site was created to summarize the invited presentations.
The web site is being hosted by the American Sheep Industry Association
at www.sheepusa.org. To view the proceedings of the Hair Sheep Workshop,
click on the RESEARCH JOURNAL icon, then 2005 Hair Sheep Workshop.
Alternative Link: http://www.sheepandgoat.com/HairSheepWorkshop/index.html
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Maryland
Sheep News is BAAACK!
The Maryland Sheep News has been on hiatus for a couple
of years. It is the newsletter for the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association.
Sarah Ruckelshaus is the new editor of the Sheep News. Sarah can
be reached by e-mail at sarah@ruckelshaus.com.
Please give your support to Sarah.
The Maryland Sheep News is sent to all members of the
Maryland Sheep Breeders Association. The annual membership/subscription
fee is $15. If you take your wool to the Maryland Wool Pool, membership
in MSBA is deducted on wool sales over $30.
The membership year runs from October through September. Dues for
membership received prior to June 1, 2006 will be accepted as paid
through September 30, 2006. Dues received June 1, 2006 and later
(including dues deducted at the Maryland Wool Pool) will be accepted
as paid through September 30, 2007.
http://www.sheepandwool.org/events/msba.htm
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SCOURING
for Answers?
 Diarrhea
is defined as an increased frequency, fluidity, or volume of fecal
excretion. In livestock, diarrhea is called scours. There are many
causes of diarrhea: bacterial, viral, parasites, and diet.
Diarrhea should not be considered an illness in and of itself but
rather a symptom of other more serious health problems in sheep
and goats. Diarrhea is not always the result of an infectious disease.
It can be induced by stress, poor management, and nutrition.
A scouring lamb or kid loses large amounts of fluids and electrolytes,
such as sodium and chlorine. Usually, the cause of death in scouring
lambs and kids is dehydration and acidosis, or increased body acidity.
Whatever the microbial cause of scours, the most effective treatment
for a scouring lamb or kid is rehydration by administering fluids.
Before treating an animal for diarrhea, it is essential to determine
why the animal is scouring. Take the animal's temperature using
a rectal thermometer. If body temperature is above the normal range
(102-103°F), fever medications and antibiotics can be used to
control the infection.
Many of the common causes of diarrhea are self-limiting, and the
major goals of treatment are to keep the animal physiologically
intact while the diarrhea runs its course. A variety of oral anti-diarrheal
medications have been used in sheep and goats. They may be helpful,
but no trials have ever been reported.
Pepto-Bismol® (Bismuth Subsalicylate, Bismusal) is commonly
used to treat livestock with diarrhea. Pepto Bismol® contains
bismuth which coats, soothes, and relieves the irritated lining
of the stomach. Kaopectate® (Kaolin-Pectin) can be used to treat
non-infectious causes of diarrhea. Drugs which decrease gut motility
(e.g. Imodium® ) should not be used. Oral yogurt or probiotics
are often given to restore a more normal gut flora.
Antibacterial drugs tend to be very overrated in the treatment of
diarrhea but they are sometimes indicated. Treatment with antibiotics
is usually not useful when animals are infected with viruses or
protozoa. However, antibiotics are useful when bacterial infections
are the primary infective agent or where the risk of secondary bacterial
infections is high. Sulfa-antibiotics or amprolium should be used
in the case of coccidia.
***It is important to note that many of the organisms than cause
scours in livestock can cause disease in humans.
Read the full article at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/articles/scours.html
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Calendar
of Events
October 13 - Forum for Rural Innovation:
Meat Production with Goats and Sheep: Turn Grass into $$$.
Best Western Lee Jackson Motor Inn and Conference Center, Winchester,
VA
Craig Yohn at (304) 728-7413 ext. 2; craig.yohn@mail.wvu.edu
or www.jeffersonfarms.com
October 21 - Maryland Sheep Breeders Association
Annual Meeting and Banquet
Carroll County Ag Center, Westminster, MD
Joe Frey at (301) 991-5826 or j.frey@myactv.net
October 28 - Virginia Fall Bred Ewe Sale
Rockingham County Fairgrounds, Harrisonburg, VA
Corey Childs at (703) 777-0373 or cchilds@vt.edu
November 1-2 - Goat Artificial Insemination
(AI) Workshop
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Dr. Niki Whitley at (410) 651-6194 or nwhitley@umes.edu
November 4 - UMES Small Farm Conference
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, MD
Call (410) 651-6206 or send an e-mail to hohudson@umes.edu
November 18 - MPWV Meat Goat Meeting
Berkeley County Fairgrounds, Martinsburg, WV
Willie Lantz at (301) 334-4121 or wlantz@umd.edu
January 24-27 - American Sheep Industry
Convention
Hyatt Regency Hotel on the Riverwalk, San Antonio, TX
Judy Malone at (303) 771-3500 or judym@sheepusa.org
February 21-24, 2007 - Direct Marketing
Conference
Holiday Inn Select, Solomons Island, MD
Shannon Dill at (410) 822-1244 or sdill@umd.edu
Calendar
of Events at SheepGoatMarketing.info
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 The
Maryland Sheep & Goat Producer is published bi-monthly by University
of Maryland Cooperative Extension. It is written and edited by Susan
Schoenian, Sheep and Goat Specialist at the Western Maryland Research
& Education Center. To receive the newsletter, contact the Western
Maryland Research & Education Center: 18330 Keedysville Road,
Keedysville, MD 21756, (301) 432-2767 ext. 343 or 301, fax (301)
432-4089; or e-mail: sschoen@umd.edu
or cmason@umd.edu. The cost
of receiving the newsletter by mail is $10 per year payable to the
University of Maryland. The newsletter is free when accessed via
the Internet. You can be added to a list to receive an e-mail message
when a new newsletter has been posted to the web at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/news.
Comments and suggestions regarding the newsletter are always welcome.
References to commercial products or trade names are made with the
understanding that no discrimination is intended and no endorsement
by Maryland Cooperative Extension is implied. Articles may be reprinted
with permission of the author(s). Article submissions are encouraged. |
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