60 goats begin '09 pasture test
Sixty (60) bucks began the 2009 Western
Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test on June 6
at the University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research &
Education Center in Keedysville, Maryland.
While on test, the goats will be evaluated for growth (average
daily gain), parasite resistance (fecal egg counts), and parasite
resilience (FAMACHA© scores and number of anthelmintic treatments).
Don Smith, consigner from Virginia |
Bucks meeting gold, silver, and bronze-level standards of performance
for the aforementioned traits will be sold at public auction on
October 3rd at the 2nd annual Western Maryland Goat Field Day and
Sale, to be held at the Washington County Agricultural Education
Center near Boonsboro, Maryland.
Does, of various breeds and breed crosses, will also be available
for purchase. Dr. Richard Browning from Tennessee State University
will be the featured speaker at the field day.
During the test period, the goats will be managed as a single group.
They will consume a pasture-only diet, with no supplementation other
than free choice minerals containing a coccidiostat. They will be
rotationally grazed among five, 2-acre paddocks planted in chicory
(2 acres), dwarf pearl millet with strips of brassicas (2 acres),
sericea lespedeza (1 acre) and orchardgrass and MaxQ™ tall
fescue (5 acres).
The goats will always have access to a central laneway containing
port-a-hut shelters, a shade structure, water, minerals, and a handling
system. New pens for isolation and treatment will be located outside
of the grazing area.
The goats will be handled every two weeks using low-stress livestock
handling techniques (no horn handling) to determine body weights,
body condition scores, coat condition, FAMACHA© eye anemia
scores, and the need for deworming. Individual and pooled fecal
samples will be collected every two weeks for fecal egg count determination
and fecal coproculture.
In 2008, fecal egg counts peaked on August 29 when approximately
50 percent of the goats required anthelmintic treatment. The barber
pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) comprised 96 to 100 percent
of the worm load. After an initial deworming, 49 percent of the
goats did not require an additional anthelmintic treatment.
Bucks on '09 test |
Towards the end of the testing period, ultrasound carcass measurements
will be taken. Some of the goats may be harvested to collect actual
carcass data. The goats will be evaluated for structural and reproductive
soundness. Scrotal measurements will be taken. Goats not selected
for the sale will be available for purchase via private treaty.
The bucks from this year's test have been consigned by 17 breeders
from 11 states: Delaware -1; Kansas-1; Illinois -2; Maryland -3;
Missouri -1; Ohio -1; Oklahoma -2; Pennsylvania - 2; Tennessee -1;
Virginia - 2; and West Virginia - 1. They include 46 New Zealand,
purebred or percentage Kikos; 5 Boer x Kiko crossbreds; 6 fullblood
and percentage Boers, 2 Composite Tennessee Mountain Meat Goats
(Kiko x Boer x Spanish), and 1 Myotonic.
To learn more about the test, visit the blog at http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com.
Contact Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu
if you wish to be added to the goat test e-mail list, so that you'll
receive all blog entries via e-mail. All test reports will be posted
to the blog, along with pictures and narratives of the test.
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Survey-takers value parasite data
Fifty-five (55) people completed an online survey pertaining to
the Western Maryland Pasture-Based
Meat Goat Performance Test. The survey takers identified themselves
as consigners; 35 percent; potential consigners, 36 percent; and
potential buyers of bucks in the test, 35 percent.
Forty-seven percent of the survey takers raise Boer goats; 38 percent,
Kiko goats; 29 percent, meat x dairy crosses; and 20 percent, Boer
x Kiko. Two thirds of the survey takers consider their goat operations
to be commercial, for-profit.
More than 90 percent of the survey-takers agree with the size and
age requirements for the goats on test: 3 to 5 months of age and
weighing 35 to 70 lbs. Three quarters of the survey-takers are interested
in having some of their goats slaughtered in order to collect carcass
data.
The traits valued most by survey takers were parasite resistance,
85 percent; parasite resilience (FAMACHA© scores and the need
for anthelmintic treatment); and growth performance on pasture,
78 percent.
Eighty-nine (89) percent of those completing the survey value the
copious parasite data that is collected from the bucks in the test.
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101 compete in Sheep & Wool Skillathon
One hundred and one (101) youth (25 juniors, 35 intermediates,
and 41 seniors) and 21 teams (4 junior, 9 intermediate, and 8 senior)
from five states and ten Maryland counties braved the rain to compete
in the 2009 Sheep & Wool Skillathon, held May 3rd at the Maryland
Sheep & Wool Festival.
The Sheep & Wool Skillathon tests youth's knowledge of feeds
and forages, wool, hay, meat, diseases, breeds, and equipment. Participants
take a written test and senior teams have a group problem-solving
activity. This year, the sheep judging station had to be cancelled
due to the rain.
Juniors
Calvert County had the first place junior team. Members of the winning
junior team were Jocelyn Abbott, Katie and Robert Burroughs, and
Jaqueline Bowen. For the second year in a row, Katie Burroughs was
the first place junior individual.
Teammate Jocelyn Abbott placed second and Kameron Dorsey from Frederick
County placed third. The team from Howard County placed second.
Third was a team composed of youth from St. Mary's and Calvert County.
Evaluating wool at the state skillathon |
Intermediates
Members of the winning Montgomery County intermediate team included
Caroline and Suzanne Kimble and Savannah Cook. Doug McGee from Cecil
County was the first place intermediate individual. Caroline Kimble
placed second.
Ryan Hevner from Carroll County was the third place individual.
The second and third place intermediate teams were Calvert and Carroll,
respectively.
Seniors
Ashley Blum from Baltimore County was the first place senior individual.
The winning senior team was the Calvert/St. Mary's County team composed
of Roger Arminger, Anne Marie Lewis, and Shelby Sasscer.
Jeanne Herbert from Charles County was the second place senior.
Hannah Goodmuth from Howard County was third. Washington and Charles
County placed second and third in the team competition.
Thanks
The Skillathon would not be be possible without the assistance of
so many Extension educators and volunteers. Nor the support of the
Maryland
Sheep Breeders Association (Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival).
The Festival provides premiums and ribbons for the top ten individuals
in each age category and Festival t-shirts for members of the top
three teams in each age category.
University of Maryland Extension
awarded first place individuals a copy of the new book, "How
to Raise Sheep," published by National FFA.
Special thanks is also extended to sponsors of some of the skillathon
stations: Frederick
County Sheep Breeders Association, Baltimore County Sheep &
Wool Producers, and Sheepman Supply
Company.
George Ruppersberger and Sons, Inc., Maryland's largest lamb processing
plant, donated lamb for the Meat ID station. Dr. Les Vough, retired
forage crops specialist, organized the hay judging station.
Congratulations to all the winners, participants, and coaches. Next
year's skillathon will be held at the Maryland Sheep & Wool
Festival on Sunday, May 2.
A Goat Skillathon has been planned for October 3, 2009 at the Washington
County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro, MD (held in
conjunction with the Western Maryland Goat Field Day & Sale).
Visit
Skillathon web page
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Table of Contents
Pumpkin seeds: do they control worms?
By Dahlia Jackson-O'Brien
Delaware State University
Worldwide reports of dewormer resistance in small ruminant parasites
have led producers to seek alternative parasite control strategies,
such as the use of natural plants. Plant or plant products have
been used to treat cases of parasitism in animals in many countries;
however, results reported have been in the form of observations
rather than from controlled studies.
The seeds of pumpkins and many other vine crops are believed to
contain a deworming compound called cucurbitacin which has been
used to expel tapeworms and roundworms in domestic livestock species
for years. Therefore, last summer (2008), it was the goal of one
of our research projects to investigate a number of natural plants,
including pumpkins, in reducing fecal egg counts (FEC) in goats.
For our study, we used 22 goat kids to evaluate the effect of pumpkin
seeds in reducing parasite loads. All 22 goats were individually
penned on solid concrete floors and received a commercially pelleted
meat goat feed daily for a 3-week study. Eleven animals were also
given ground pumpkin seeds mixed into feed at a rate of 6 ounces
per 75 lbs. of body weight daily. The other eleven were not supplemented
and used as a control to allow us to better interpret our results.
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We measured body weights, fecal egg counts (FEC), and packed cell
volumes (PCV; to determine anemia which is indicative of barber
pole worm infection) weekly for 3 weeks to determine if the pumpkin
seeds were in fact causing an effect.
Under the conditions of our study, however, pumpkin seeds were
not effective in reducing FEC in meat goat kids. Feeding pumpkin
seeds did not have an effect on body weight or PCV.
The FEC averaged 5,965 eggs per gram (epg) at the start of the study,
6,411 epg on day 7, 3,425 epg by day 14 and 3,655 epg on day 21
(see graph for individual group FEC).
We observed that goat kids were sorting through feed and leaving
behind a substantial amount of the ground pumpkin seeds (not surprising
since we all know goats can be picky eaters!). Therefore, an alternative
means of administering the pumpkin seeds might be more effective
in ensuring that kids are consuming an amount of pumpkin seeds necessary
to see a reduction in FEC.
A preliminary study conducted at Delaware State University previously
had indicated that a single pumpkin seed drench (using a similar
amount of pumpkin seeds) was effective in preventing a rise in FEC.
When compared to an untreated group, the FEC of the group drenched
once with the pumpkin seed drench decreased by 11% while the FEC
of the untreated group increased by 56% after seven days of drenching.
Future studies will be done to evaluate testing for longer periods
(just in case the effect is not as quick as we'd hope) as well as
looking at alternative methods of administering the pumpkin seeds
(powder form or drench) in order to determine any possible deworming
properties that pumpkin seeds might have.
We (at DSU) would love to include producers in our trials using
natural dewormers (others being tested include garlic, ginger and
papaya seeds). If interested in this project or any others at DSU,
please do not hesitate to contact me at (302) 857-6490 or djjackson@desu.edu.
Please contact me if you'd like to give your opinion about the type
of research and programs that you would like to see conducted at
Delaware State University.
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Table of Contents
Finishing
lambs on forage brassicas
By Hans Kefauver
Hagerstown, Maryland
Our experience finishing lambs on pasture and brassicas was a positive
one. We wanted to be able to raise and finish lambs on an all-forage
diet. This would eliminate the cost of grain and the facilities
associated with the traditional way of finishing lambs and provide
us with a lamb that would grade choice or better and meet the needs
of the grass-fed niche market.
A little background on why we decided to finish lambs on forage
My wife Laura and I have both had the opportunity to be involved
with raising sheep for a number of years through the 4-H program.
We decided that we should not let that knowledge go to waste. The
only problem was that we did not own any land or buildings to raise
sheep. We figured the only way we could make this work would be
if we could raise everything on rented pasture so that we could
reduce our expenses by not having an investment in buildings, feeders,
etc., which is usually required when traditionally feeding lambs
out on grain.
We decided that the Katahdin breed would work best for us in obtaining
this objective due to their high resistance to internal parasites,
heat tolerance, excellent carcass quality, plus I would not have
to shear them! We also wanted to make sure that we would have a
quality product to sell. Therefore, after researching various forages,
we decided to incorporate brassicas into a grazing program to finish
our lambs.
Image by Hans Kefauver |
According to Webster's Dictionary, a brassica is a genus of plants
embracing several species and varieties differing much in appearance
and qualities: such as the common cabbage (Brassica oleracea),
broccoli, cauliflowers, etc.; the wild turnip (Brassica campestris);
the common turnip (Brassica rapa); the rape or coleseed (Brassica
napus).
For grazing purposes, the most common brassicas used are turnips,
swedes, rape, and kale. These are annual crops which continue to
grow during the fall months. They are highly productive and digestible
and contain relatively high levels of crude protein.
Because forage brassicas are very highly digestible and high in
energy, the amount of brassica in the total diet should not exceed
75%. Therefore, it is recommended that forage brassica be supplemented
with hay, silage, or pasture. Annual rye, oats, or other cereal
grains are excellent companions to mix with forage brassicas at
planting.
The variety of brassica we decided to use was Pasja, which is a
hybrid of forage turnip and forage rape. We decided to use this
variety because it did not grow as tall as other varieties and we
could get more than one grazing from the planting.
Our local Washington County Extension Agent had experience working
with dairy operations grazing Pasja and thought it would be the
best fit for what we were trying to accomplish. Because brassicas
are very highly digestible we decided to plant oats as a companion
crop with the Pasja.
We killed an old stand of alfalfa using glyphosate herbicide and
then planted the Pasja/Oat mix on August 2nd at a rate of 3-4 pounds
of Pasja and 60 pounds of oats per acre. We also applied 142 pounds
of Urea per acre with a safener to limit the amount of nitrogen
lost into the atmosphere. No additional phosphorous and potash were
added based upon soil test recommendations.
The 20 lambs that were finished on the Pasja/Oat mixture were Katahdin
Hair sheep, composed of 50% ewe and ram lambs born during the month
of May. Lambs were born and raised entirely on grass/legume pasture.
The flock was rotated to a new pasture every 4 to 7 days from May
until September. Lambs were weighed and weaned on August 31st. They
grazed a mixture of alfalfa and orchardgrass until they started
grazing the Pasja/Oat planting on September 28, 2008.
The Pasja/Oat field was split into 5 different paddocks and the
lambs were moved approximately every 7 days to a new paddock. This
kept the lambs from grazing the Pasja/Oat mix below 4 inches in
height. This is critical so that the plant will be able to re-grow.
Orchardgrass hay was provided free choice to help prevent bloat
and digestive upset, along with water and sheep trace mineral salt.
Each paddock was grazed twice and the Pasja/Oat mix persisted up
until November 20 and then the lambs were removed and placed on
alfalfa/orchardgrass hay aftermath. Lambs performed well and seemed
to have no problem adjusting to the Pasja/Oat diet after grazing
a typical clover/grass pasture during the spring and summer.
Image by Hans Kefauver |
The lambs did seek out and graze all of the oats first before they
started grazing the Pasja. The lambs predominately ate the leafy
part of the Pasja plant in the early part of the grazing and then
started to consume the bulb/root part of the plant on the second
grazing of the field. Even after consuming part of the bulb/root,
the Pajsa was still able to produce leaf area to be re-grazed.
What kind of weight gain did we have?
- The ram and ewe lambs averaged 0.64 lbs per day weight gain
over the period from September 1st to December 5th.
- The average final live weight at the end of the grazing was
around 105 pounds.
What would we consider doing differently to improve the production
of grass-fed lamb?
- We would have planted the Pasja/Oats at least one week earlier.
In 2008 due to dry weather in August, we were not able to begin
grazing the Pasja until September 28th. An earlier planting date
may help move this ahead to early September.
- Begin lambing around the middle of April and separate the ram
lambs from the ewe lambs to graze in different groups or castrate
the ram lambs at birth. We did not get to a final live weight
of 105 lbs. until December.
- Grazing that late into the Fall could be problematic some years
due to an early hard killing frost. We noticed the ram lambs riding
the ewe lambs during the later stages of grazing which affected
the daily gain of the ewe lambs.
What would we do the same?
- Supplement the Pasja/Oats with free choice hay. We had absolutely
no digestive upsets, loose stools or bloat during the grazing.
- Rotationally graze the Pasja/Oats so that it was not grazed
below 4 inches for maximum regrowth. We were very pleased with
the amount of re-growth from the Pasja which extended the grazing
period until late November.
Unanswered questions . . .
- Would other types of brassicas or other forages such as an alfalfa/grass
or clover/grass mixture have worked as well in finishing the lambs
as the brassica?
- Since we planted into an old stand of alfalfa would we have
gotten the same amount of yield without additional nitrogen fertilizer?
- How much more would the lambs have gained if the ewe lambs had
been separated from the ram lambs?
Overall finishing lambs on the brassica worked very well for us.
It allowed us to raise and finish the lambs on an all-forage diet.
Grazing eliminated the cost of grain and the facilities associated
with the traditional way of finishing lambs. It reduced the labor
requirements in feeding lambs on a daily basis and provided us with
a lamb that graded choice and met the needs of the grass-fed market.
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Table of Contents
New Books
How to Raise Goats
 If
you're thinking of acquiring a goat or starting a herd, for whatever
reason, How to Raise Goats: Everything You Need to Know might
be the book for you. Written by Carol Amundson, the former editor
of the Minnesota Dairy Goat Association newsletter, this approachable
guide covers every component of raising goats for fun or profit, meat,
or milk.
Beginning with the basics, history and behavior, types, and breeds,
How to Raise Goats answers all a prospective owner's questions
about getting a goat, from land requirements and regulations to choosing
or assessing particular animals or breeds.
How to Raise Sheep
 Anyone
interested in raising sheep, one or two hobby animals, or a full scale
herd, will find How to Raise Sheep an indispensable resource
filled with useful information and advice. With details on everything
from particular breeds to feed requirements, fencing, general care,
showing, breeding, and marketing, this handy expert guide tells you
all you need to know to raise healthy sheep.
Author Philip Hasheider, himself a successful farmer, offers reliable
directions for getting started and being successful and discusses
the merits of various breeds, of different farming methods, organic,
sustainable, and conventional and which approach can best meet the
needs of prospective sheep owners.
Both books are published in association with the National FFA Organization,
formerly known as Future Farmers of America. They are available
at bookstores everywhere, from www.Amazon.com,
or through http://www.voyageurpress.com/.
Editor's note: These are full-size, high-quality paperback books
with slick color photographs. They are well-written and easy to
read, good additions to any sheep or goat producer's library.
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Table of Contents
Lamb Check-off reapproved
By an astounding margin of 85.1 percent, the U.S. sheep industry
voted to continue the deduction on sheep sales to support the marketing
of American lamb. In the volume vote, a record setting 93 percent
supported the referendum.
"This is the second referendum since the inception of the program
in 2002 and both have recorded overwhelming approval for an industry-funded
lamb promotion," remarked Peter Orwick, Executive Director
for the American Sheep Industry
Association (ASI).
Only 11 people voted in Maryland, 9 for and 2 against, representing
1,376 sheep. No states voted against the referendum.
The lamb program is the only livestock check-off program that has
producers, feeders and meat packers all contributing funds to the
promotion effort. A 13-member volunteer board, known as the American
Lamb Board, representing these segments of the industry, collects
the funds and administers all the programs.
Source: ASI News Release, April 23, 2009
Editor's notes
All sheep are subject to the check-off (all feeder and market lambs,
breeding stock, and cull animals) when sold. The assessment is one-half
cent per pound of live animal, sold by producers, seedstock producers,
feeders, and exporters, plus an additional 30 cents per head of sheep
purchased for slaughter by first handlers. A first handler is (the
entity that takes possession of the sheep for slaughter, including
custom or ethnic slaughter.
Assessments must be remitted to the: American Lamb Board, 23029 Network Place,
Chicago, Il 60673-1230. Assessments must be sent with
Form LS-81, the Monthly Remittance Report.
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Upcoming events . . .
Integrated Parasite Management (FAMACHA©) Workshops
Three Integrated Parasite Management (IPM) Workshops have been scheduled
in Maryland and Delaware. The workshops last approximately four hours
and include two hours of classroom instruction and two hours of hands-on
training using the FAMACHA© system and doing fecal egg counts.
The first workshop will be held on Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. to 3
p .m. in the Food Science Building at the University of Maryland Eastern
Shore (UMES) in Princess Anne, MD. To register, contact Erroll Mattox
at (302) 628-0471 or threemaplesfarm@comcast.net
.
For those under 16 years of age, a concurrent workshop will be held
from 9 a.m. to 12 noon. Contact Maegan Perdue at (410) 651-1350 or
mperdue@umd.edu to register.
A workshop will be held on Saturday, June 27, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.,
at the Smryna Outreach & Research Center (Delaware State University).
To register, contact Dr. Dahlia Jackson-O'Brien at (302) 857-6490
or djjackson@desu.edu.
A third workshop will be held on Saturday, August 1, 9 a.m. to
1:30 p.m., at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center
near Boonsboro, MD. To register, contact Jeff Semler at (301) 791
or jsemler@umd.edu.
Cost recovery registration fees (per farm or family) include a
FAMACHA© chart and IPM reference booklet.
Lambing and Kidding School
University of Maryland Extension holds a bi-annual lambing and
kidding school at different locations in Maryland. The 2009 school
will be held on Saturday, November 21 at the Holiday Inn in Waldorf,
Maryland.
This year's main speaker will be Dr. Susan Kerr, an Extension Educator
from Washington State University. Dr. Kerr earned a Doctor of Veterinary
Medicine from Cornell University and received a Ph.D. in education
from Kansas State University. She has been engaged nationally with
the 4-H animal science curriculum.
All topics will relate to lambing and kidding. The program will
be suitable for youth and adults and beginning and experienced sheep
and goat producers. Registration details will be available in the
next newsletter.
Goat Field Day and Sale
A Goat Field Day and Sale will be held Saturday, October 3 at the
Washington County Agricultural Center near Boonsboro, Maryland.
The sale will feature the top-performing bucks from the Western
Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test, along with
does consigned by breeders who participate in the test.
Sale bucks will be mostly Kiko and Kiko x Boer. Does will be Kiko,
Boer, and various crosses. The sale will start at 1 p.m. The bucks
will be sold via a silent auction.
Field Day
The field day, 9 a.m. until 12 noon, will feature Dr.
Richard Browning, a Research Animal Scientist from Tennessee
State University. For the past several years, Dr. Browning has been
conducting a breed evaluation project, utilizing Kiko, Boer, and
Spanish goats. Dr. Browning also conducts an on-farm herd performance
evaluation program for meat goat herds.
Youth Goat Skillathon
This year's event will include a goat skillathon in which youth
are tested on their knowledge of goat breeds, feeds and forages,
diseases, meat, dairy, and fiber.. The skillathon is open to any
youth between the ages of 8 and 18. Youth will compete according
to their age on January 1, 2009 (4-H age). The skillathon will run
concurrently with the field day.
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ant • hel • min • tic
An agent that destroys or causes the expulsion of parasitic intestinal
worms.
Anthelmintic Alley
Administering anthelmintics to goats
There are many ways to administer anthelmintics (dewormers) to
livestock: orally, via a drench or oblet (bolus); in the feed or
mineral; via an injection; or via a pour-on. However, all methods
are not equally effective or suitable for all livestock. Nor are
they FDA-approved for use in all livestock.
The general recommendation for goats is to administer anthelmintics
orally (in the mouth). The reason for oral administration varies
by anthelmintic. In addition, there is an exception to the recommendation.
Fenbendazole (SafeGuard®) and Albendazole (Valbazen®) are
administered orally to goats because there are no other suitable
formulations for these anthelmintics.
Though currently not available, levamisole
(Prohibit®) should be administered orally because it is safer
this way. Because it is short-acting and quickly eliminated, levamisole
has a lower margin of safety than other anthelmintics, especially
with goats (since they require a higher dosage than sheep). There
is less chance for toxicity when levamisole is administered as a
drench.
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Ivermectin should be administered orally because there is less
drug persistence this way, thus less selection pressure for resistance
worms. Slowly decreasing concentrations of anthelmintics in the
animal as is characteristic of persistent products, select for drug
resistance.
Here's the exception (for goats, not sheep): Moxidectin (Cydectin®)
should be administered as a subcutaneous injection because pharmacokinetics
studies indicate that the bioavailability of moxidectin is 3.7 times
greater when injected than when given orally in goats. Pharmacokinetics
is the study of the action of drugs in the body.
Because moxidectin is so persistent in the tissues, there is no
difference between routes of administration on the development of
drug-resistant worms. Elimination curves between oral and injectable
administration is the same. Meat withdrawal in goats for Cyedetin
is 30 days. A milk withdrawal has not been established, but 56 days
should be sufficient (Kaplan, e-mail).
Pour-on anthelmintics are not recommended for small ruminants because
they are poorly absorbed and promote drug resistance. Before Cydectin
sheep drench and Cydectin cattle injectable were available, the
Cydectin pour-on was administered orally (extra-label) to sheep
and goats. This is no longer necessary nor recommended.
Levamisole update
Levamisole
is currently unavailable for purchase. For how long is anybody's best
guess. The company that makes the active ingredient is no longer producing
the product. A new manufacturer is being sought by Agri-labs, the
company that markets Prohibit® and Levasole®.
An alternative to levamisole is morantel (Rumatel®). Morantel
is in the same chemical class as levamisole. It is not quite as effective
as levamisole and data pertaining to efficacy and resistance are lacking.
Rumatel® is FDA-approved for goats but not sheep. Slaughter withdrawal
(for goats) is 30 days.
Rumatel® is a feed-based product. Rather than feeding the entire
herd, it is recommended that animals be fed (treated) individually.
Pyrantel (Strongid®) is another anthelmintic in the same chemical
class as levamisole, but its use is not FDA-approved for any food
animal.
On farms where levamisole is the only effective anthelmintic, a moxidectin/benzimidazole
combination treatment may be effective. To prevent resistance, this
combo treatment should only be given to animals with poor FAMACHA©
scores.
New Anthelmintic: Zolvix®
Zolvix® (monepantel) is a revolutionary, new sheep drench that
kills gastrointestinal worms, even those resistant to existing drenches.
It is the first product of a new class of resistance-breaking anthelmintics
called the Amino-Acetonitrile Derivatives (AADs). It has a unique
mode of action and it is highly effective against sheep gastro-intestinal
nematodes, including those resistant to other anthelmintics.
The active ingredient (monepantel) acts on a newly identified receptor
found only in parasitic worms and is a response to the widespread
global problem of anthelmintic resistance. Zolvix® is an innovative
brand that offers high efficacy and an impressive safety profile
and a very short withdrawal period, which will put worm control
firmly back in the hands of farmers and veterinarians.
Zolvix® is manufactured by Novartis Animal Health. It is the
first novel drench for livestock for more than 25 years.
Research from New Zealand
Eighteen farms located throughout the North and South Islands of New
Zealand were used to test the efficacy and safety of Monepantel (Zolvix®),
the first compound from the recently discovered amino-acetonitrile
derivative (AAD) class of anthelmintics to be developed for use in
sheep.
On each farm, sheep naturally infected with the target nematodes
were randomly assigned to groups, which were then treated with either
monepantel, at a minimum dose rate of 2.5 mg/kg, or one of five
other anthelmintics.
Fecal samples were collected from all sheep pre-treatment, at the
time of treatment, and approximately 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment.
Fecal egg counts (FEC) were measured in all samples. All sheep were
inspected at least daily to check for any adverse effects of treatment.
On all 18 farms, on days 7, 14 and 21, the efficacy of the monepantel
solution was greater than 95 percent. At days 7 and 14 post-treatment,
efficacies greater than 99 percent were recorded in 15 flocks. At
day 21 post-treatment, efficacies over 98 percent were recorded
in 13 flocks.
Monepantel was as effective, or more effective, than the registered
anthelmintics with which it was compared. Moreover, it was effective
against strains of nematodes resistant to one or more of the currently
available broad-spectrum anthelmintics.
Source: New Zealand Veterinary Journal Volume 57 Issue 1
Zolvix in the United States . . . if and when?
According to Novartis's global communication manager,
"Novartis plans to bring the brand ZOLVIX to as many sheep
markets as possible including USA, however, we cannot predict the
time of any market introduction as this is dependent upon completing
the research and development work specifically to meet each countries
requirements and then upon the regulatory authorities assessment of
the dossiers. Currently, the product is only registered in New Zealand."
Visit the Zolvix web site at http://www.zolvix.com/index.html |
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Chinese goat specialist visits Maryland
Dr. Jun Luo, a dairy goat specialist from Northwest Agricultural
& Forestry University (NWAFU) in Yangling, China (Shaanxi province)
visited Western Maryland goat farms on May 19th.
Many Rocks Farm
Jeanne Dietz-Band (L) and Dr. Jun Luo (R)
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Dr. Luo visited the site of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based
Meat Goat Performance Test. Management of the goats in the test
differs significantly from the manner in which dairy goats are raised
in China. In China, dairy goats (on the larger farms) are raised
in confinement and fed in fenceline bunks.
Dr. Luo gained insight into U.S. meat goat production when he visited
Many Rocks Farm in Keedysville. Many
Rocks Farm, operated by Jeanne Dietz-Band, raises mostly Kiko
goats. The farm markets branded goat meat products and goat milk
soap at various farmer's markets.
Dr. Luo visited one of the few certified goat dairies in Maryland:
Caprikorn Farms, Gapland,
operated by Alice Orzechowski and Scott Hoyman. Cheese is made from
the milk from their 50 does and sold at various farmer's markets.
The farm has some of the highest-producing Saanen goats in the U.S.
Dr. Luo spent several years at E (Kika) de la Garza Institute for
Goat Research at Langston University. You can visit his web site
(Chinese) at http://dairygoatnet.nwsuaf.edu.cn/.
The University of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources
and NWAFU are cooperating on various programs of mutual interest.
Read
about dairy goat production in China
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UMES lambing and kidding update
By Mark Gooden
UMES graduate student
When Dr. Niki Whitley took a job in North Carolina, she was not sure
when UMES* would be able to replace her. So, all the "hard keepers"
were sold to make a more manageable herd for the farm manager (Earle
Canter) and research specialist (Harry Taylor, Jr.) along with the
farm staff and graduate students. In addition, both the sheep flock
and goat herd numbers were decreased dramatically.
The adult does that were bred to the 100% Boer buck to kid in Spring
2009 consisted of 20 animals, all but five of which were Spanish,
Spanish crosses or Kiko crosses. Because Dr. Whitley is still collaborating
with UMES faculty and students for research, we needed to assess
potentially available animals for studies by analyzing the kidding
and lambing data.
This article keeps alive the yearly tradition of providing a UMES
kidding and lambing update for the newsletter. Kidding occurred
in February with the 20 does bred at UMES having an average of 2.2
kids born live each (4 out of 49 were stillborn or died shortly
after birth), with 24 female and 21 males. The average kid birth
weight was 9.2 pounds.
The Katahdin ewes that lambed had some issues because of over-conditioning.
Those lambing successfully (21 ewes) had an average of 2.1 lambs
each (live) and the lambs averaged 10.7 pounds.
We feel confident that UMES will soon have someone to fill Dr. Whitley's
position and hopefully the small ruminant program will continue
successfully at UMES.
Good luck with your own sheep and goats this year (and in the future)!
*University of Maryland Eastern Shore |
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Wool prices lower than last year
The 56th Annual Maryland-Delaware Wool Pool will be held on Wednesday,
June 17, at the Maryland State Fairgrounds in Timonium. The Pool
will run from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
There will be three lines to accept wool. Consigners with wool
baled in square bales will be pulled out of line to unload at the
third line. The other two lines will accept loose wool. Consigners
are expected to unload their own wool.
Black and gray wool and fleeces from hair sheep or hair x wool
crosses will not be accepted. Wet wool will not be accepted. Wool
delivered in polypropylene bags will be refused. Wool delivered
in burlap will be reduced by 3 cents per pound.
This year's pool has been purchased by Chargeurs, Inc. of Jamestown,
South Carolina.
Due to the faltering economy, wool prices are lower than last year.
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Wool grade
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Price
per lb.
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Choice white-face
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$ 0.55
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Medium white-face
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$ 0.46
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Coarse white-face
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$ 0.40
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Non white-face
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$ 0.38
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Short
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$ 0.30
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The price received for wool will be the above prices minus a deduction
for wool pool expenses (usually between 5 and 8 cent per pound).
Maryland Sheep Breeders Association dues ($25) will be deducted
on wool sales over $40. Payment checks will be mailed within several
weeks of the pool.
Questions or concerns should be directed to Pool Manager Rich Barczewski
at (302) 857-6410 or (302) 659-1211 or rbarczewski@desu.edu.
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Calendar of Events
June 17
Maryland-Delaware Wool Pool
Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland.
Info: Dr. Rich Barczewski at (302) 857-6410 (day time) or
(302) 659-1211 (evenings, before 9 p.m.) or rbarczewski@desu.edu
June 20
Integrated Parasite Management (IPM) Workshop
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Food Science Building at the
University of Maryland Eastern Shore, Princess Anne, Maryland.
Info: Erroll Mattox at (302) 628-0471 or threemaplesfarm@comcast.net
July 6-8
Maryland 4-H Livestock Roundup
Frederick County 4-H Camp, 5 miles south of Frederick, Maryland
Info: local Maryland 4-H extension offices
July 11
Improving Small Ruminant Grazing Practices [workshop]
Applachian Farming Systems Research Center in Beaver, West Virginia
(near Beckley)
Info: Dean Myles at (304) 929-1687 or dmyles@mountainstate.edu
July 25
West Virginia Performance Tested Ram and Buck Sale
WVU Reymann Memorial Farm, near Wardensville, West Virginia.
Info: Brad Smith at (304) 257-4689 or Brad.Smith@mail.wvu.edu
or Sara Hare at (304) 874-3561 or Sara.Hare@mail.wvu.edu.
August 1
Pennsylvania Performance-Tested Ram and Buck Sale
PA Livestock Evaluation Center, PA Furnace, Pennsylvania.
Info: Glenn Eberly at (814) 238-2527 or geberly@state.pa.us.
Integrated Parasite Management (IPM) Workshop
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Washington County Agricultural Education
Center, Boonsboro, Maryland
Info: Jeff Semler at (301) 791-1304 or
jsemler@umd.edu
August 29
Virginia Performance Tested Ram Lamb Sale
Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research & Education Center,
Steele's Tavern, Virginia
Info: Dr. Scott Greiner at (540) 231-9159 or
sgreiner@vt.edu
September 5
Virginia Tech Sheep Center Production Sale
Alphin-Stuart Arena, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia
Info: Dr. Scott Greiner at (540) 231-9159 or
sgreiner@vt.edu
September 11-12
Scott County (Virginia) Hair Sheep Association Field Day and Private
Treaty Sale
Natural Tunnel State Park
and Cove Ridge Center, near Duffield, Virginia.
Info: Ted Fletcher at (276) 940-4051 or www.hairsheep.us.
October 3
Western Maryland Goat Field Day and Sale (and skillathon)
Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Boonsboro, Maryland.
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.
October 24
Annual Mid-Atlantic Hair Sheep Sale
Mifflin County Fairgrounds, Reedsville, Pennsylvania.
Info: http://hairsheepsale.blogspot.com
November 21
2009 Lambing and Kidding School
Holiday Inn, Waldorf, Maryland
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.
Go to Calendar of Events at SheepGoatMarketing.info
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Table of Contents
 Wild
& Woolly is published quarterly by University of Maryland
Extension. It is written and edited by Susan Schoenian, Sheep
and Goat Specialist at the Western Maryland Research & Education
Center in Keedysville, Maryland.
To receive the newsletter, contact the Western Maryland Research
& Education Center at 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville,
MD 21756, (301) 432-2767 ext. 343 or 315, fax (301) 432-4089;
or e-mail: sschoen@umd.edu
or Pam Thomas, administrative assistant, at pthomas@umd.edu.
The cost of receiving the newsletter via mail is $10 per year
payable to the University of Maryland. The newsletter is free
of charge when accessed via the Internet. Ask to be added to the
e-mail reflector list to receive an e-mail message when a new
issue of the newsletter has been posted to the web at www.sheepandgoat.com/news/index.html.
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 University of Maryland Extension is implied.
Articles may be reprinted with permission of the author(s). Article
submissions are welcomed.
More information on sheep and goats is available on the web at
http://www.sheep101.info,
http://mdsheepgoat.blogspot.com,
and http://www.sheepgoatmarketing.info.
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