Parasite Challenge
25
CHARACTERIZING THE PARASITE CHALLENGE OF MEAT GOATS GRAZING SUMMER PASTURES IN WESTERN MARYLAND SUSAN SCHOENIAN Sheep &Goat Specialist Western Maryland Research & Education Center www.sheepandgoat.com – [email protected]
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Characterizing the parasite challenge of meat goats grazing summer pastures in Western Maryland
Transcript of Parasite Challenge
CHARACTERIZING THE PARASITE CHALLENGE OF MEAT GOATS GRAZING SUMMER PASTURES IN WESTERN MARYLAND
SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep &Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education Centerwww.sheepandgoat.com – [email protected]
Western Maryland Pasture-based Meat Goat Performance Test
Established in 2006 to evaluate the performance of weanling goats on a pasture-only diet with natural exposure to internal parasites.
EARLY JUNE THROUGH LATE SEPTEMBER
Central performance testing
“A central performance test is where animals from different herds are brought to one central location where performance is recorded. The rationale is that measured differences are more likely due to genetic differences, which will be passed onto offspring, rather than environmental differences which will not. The goal of a central performance test is to identify genetic differences among animals.”
Dr. Dan Waldron Texas A&M University 2010 top performing
buckConsigned by Craig Adams
(IL)Sold for $1,350 to PA
Maryland buck testOne of our most important goals is to identify bucks that are more resistant to internal parasites.
RESISTANCE = INFECTIONFecal egg counts (FECs)
RESILIENCE = TOLERANCEPacked cell volume (FAMACHA©)
H2 = 20 TO 50 PERCENT
H2 = 10 TO 20 PERCENT
Male goats of any breed or breed cross, born between December 15 (previous year) and March 20 (test year) and weighing 35 to 70 lbs. at the start of the test. Up to 5 goats per consigner (any state).
Eligibility
Number of goats tested
Yearof
test
Start test
Finish
test2006 31 312007 47 472008 62 572009 60 602010 72 68
Five year consignersDon Smith [L] from VirginiaJeanne Dietz-Band [R] from
Maryland
10-acre pasture systemFive 2-acre paddocks for rotational grazing
Cool season grasses
ORCHARDGRASS MAXQ™ TALL FESCUE
Warm season grass DWARF PEARL MILLET (ANNUAL)
ChicoryHerb with “anthelmintic-like” properties
Weeds
Plant Protein
TDN RFV
Mixed weeds
14.1% 65.8%
111
Chicory 14.3% 75.3%
184
Lambsquarter
23.2% 89.6%
298
Relative feed value of good alfalfa hay is 170 or higher.
Silvopasture
Extremes in forage conditionsCONSIDERABLE SEASONAL AND ANNUAL VARIATION IN FORAGE QUALITY AND QUANTITY
June-September 2006-2010Keedysville, Maryland
Monthly and annual rainfall (in)
2006 2007 2008 2009 20100.00
2.00
4.00
6.00
8.00
10.00
12.00
14.00
16.00
June July AugustSeptember Total
In the event of severe drought conditions
NUTRITIONAL TUBS GRASS HAY
Upon arrival to test site
Body weights Body condition score Coat condition score Dag score FAMACHA© score Fecal egg count Larvae ID
Stand in footbath Ear tag Dewormed with
anthelmintics from two different chemical classes (usually moxidectin + levamisole)
Delouse 3-day treatment for
coccidia
Data Treatments
Every 14 daysLow-stress livestock handing
Weigh FAMACHA© score Body condition score Coat condition score Dag score Health check
Treat as necessary Collect individual fecal
sample Collect pooled fecal
sample
Five P
oin
t C
heck
©
Growth performance
June September
d (-14)
d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-84 d-9640
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80
85
Live weight, pounds
20062007200820092010
Year ADG
2006 0.190
2007 0.253
2008 0.134
2009 0.138
2010 0.121
Fecal egg counts (eggs per gram of feces)
Fecal egg counts are a measure of parasite resistance (infection). Resistant animals shed fewer eggs onto the pasture.
Determined by Delaware State University using the modified McMaster procedure.
June September
d (-14) d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-84 d-960
500
1,000
1,500
2,000
2,500
3,000
3,500
4,000
4,500Average fecal egg count (all goats)
2007
2008
2009
2010
Individual egg counts
It is estimated that 20% of the animals in a herd shed 80 percent of the eggs.
In sheep, the pathogenic burden of the barber pole worm is ~2,000 epg.
0
1,000
2,000
3,000
4,000
5,000
6,000
7,000
8,000
9,000
10,000
11,000
12,000
September 12, 2008Avg. FEC = 4,020 epg
Individual goats
FAMACHA© eye anemia scores
FAMACHA© scores are an estimate of packed cell volume (PCV), which is an indication of parasite “resilience” and the need for deworming.
June September
d (-14) d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-84 d-961.4
1.6
1.8
2.0
2.2
2.4
2.6
2.8
3.0
3.2Bi-weekly FAMACHA© scores
2006
2007
2008
2009
2010
Anthelmintic treatments
FAMACHA©scoring
1 – no Tx2 – no Tx3 – ?4 – Tx5 – Tx
June September
d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-84 d-960%
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Percent goats requiring anthelmintic treatment
20062007200820092010
Fecal coproculture (larvae ID)
The worm burden has been almost all barber pole worm, especially as the summer progresses.
d-0 d-14 d-28 d-42 d-56 d-70 d-84 d-98 d-11260
65
70
75
80
85
90
95
100
Percent Haemonchus contortus
2008 2009 2010
Other worm species in fecal samples: Trichostrongylus*, Oesophagostomum, Nematodiris, Eimeria, and Moniezia
September
June
Recruiting for the 2011 test
Nomination periodApril 1- May 15
Testing fee$20 nomination fee$65 due upon delivery$85 total cost per goat
Delivery datesJune 3-4
Sale, field day, and skillathonSeptember 24 or October 1
Top bucks eligible for sale Sell does via private treaty Participate in carcass evaluation 2007 top consigners
Kendall and Dana Barnes from Kentucky
Thank you for your attention. Questions?
SMALL RUMINANT PROGRAM
SUSAN SCHOENIANwww.sheepandgoat.com
http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com
