Using the FAMACHA© system to control internal parasites in small ruminants during the summer grazing season S. Schoenian1, J. Deitz-Band2 J. Semler1, W. Lantz1, M.B. Bennett3, and N. Whitley4 University of Maryland Cooperative Extension1, Many Rocks Farm2, West Virginia University Cooperative Extension3, and University of Maryland Eastern Shore4 1

Gastro-intestinal worms Gastro-intestinal parasites (worms) pose the single greatest threat to the health and productivity of sheep and goats throughout most of the United States.

The barber pole worm The barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) is the worm species of primary concern in warm, moist climates, such as Maryland. It is a blood-sucking parasite that causes anemia and edema, production loss and sometimes death.

Traditional control of parasites In the past, parasite control programs relied heavily upon the prophylactic use of anthelmintics. This approach is no longer sustainable due to the widespread emergence of drug-resistant worms.

FAMACHA© and selective deworming The FAMACHA© system is a novel system for assessing barber pole worm infection in small ruminants and determining the need for deworming. Selective deworming increases worm refugia which slows the rate by which worms develop resistance to anthelmintics.

Materials and Methods 2005 84 Katahdin and Katahdin crossbred lambs from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s sire comparison study were rotationally grazed from June 10 until Sept. 30 on 12.5 acres of cool season grass pastures. Stocking rate was ~7 lambs/acre. 2006 31 Kiko, Boer, and Kiko x Boer goats from the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test were rotationally grazed from June 10 until Oct. 6 on 10 acres of cool season grass pastures. Stocking rate ranged from 3 to 5 goats per acre.

Materials and methods Lambs were not dewormed upon arrival. Goats were dewormed upon arrival to establish a baseline for fecal egg collection. Fecal samples were collected at 0, 28, and 56 days from goats and monthly from the lambs. Lambs and goats were handled every two weeks to determine FAMACHA© eye anemia and body condition scores.

Materials and methods Lambs and goats scoring 1 or 2 on the FAMACHA© scale were not dewormed. Lambs and goats scoring 4 or 5 on the FAMACHA© scale were dewormed. The decision to deworm lambs and kids with FAMACHA© scores of 3 was based on additional factors, such as ADG, BSC, britch soiling, previous scores, and scores of other animals.

One lamb died due to ivermectin resistance. Results – Lambs (2005) The need for deworming peaked on July 11 when two-thirds of the lambs required an anthelmintic treatment. *** One lamb died due to ivermectin resistance.

Results – anthelmintic treatments # lambs % of flock # treatments 22 26.2 35 41.7 1 14 16.7 2 6 7.1 3 4 4.8 1.2 5 84 100.0 The 84 lambs were dewormed an average of 1.25 times each vs. conventional parasite control which would have included 3 to 4 treatments.

Effect of FAMACHA© score on FEC, ADG, and BCS 1 11 51a 69 0.237ab 156 3.24a 2 83 107a 198 0.255ab 481 3.10a 3 36 329b 43 0.326a 87 2.80b 4 10 480b 0.309a 2.68bc 5 12 334b 0.194b 13 2.54c P level 0.0001 0.0048 Special thanks to Dr. Stephan Wildeus, Virginia State University for doing the statistics.

Results – sire effects Sire Body condition score FAMACHA© score Fecal egg count Average daily gain Dorper 3.11 1.84 209 0.260 Katahdin 2.93 2.21 228 0.254 Suffolk 2.85 2.30 375 0.275 Texel 3.14 120 0.241 P level .0001 .0342 .8204

Results – Goats (2006) The need for deworming peaked on Aug 4 when two-thirds of the goats required an anthelmintic treatment. *** No goats died.

Results – anthelmintic treatments # goats % of goats # treatments 4 12.9 13 41.9 1 7 22.6 2 3 9.7 31 100.0 Excluding the initial treatment, the 31 goats were dewormed an average of 1.65 times each vs. conventional parasite control which would have included 3 to 4 treatments.

Conclusion The FAMACHA© system proved to be an effective tool for monitoring and controlling internal parasitism in growing lambs and goats. It reduced the number of anthelmintic treatments. It increased refugia. It identified susceptible and resistant animals.