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Workshop to help farmers manage parasites that affect pastured sheep and goats set for Feb. 7 in Canton

Posted 2/5/15

CANTON -- On Saturday, Feb. 7, Cornell Cooperative Extension will host a workshop to help small livestock farmers reduce and manage the parasites that affect pastured sheep and goats. The 10 a.m. to …

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Workshop to help farmers manage parasites that affect pastured sheep and goats set for Feb. 7 in Canton

Posted

CANTON -- On Saturday, Feb. 7, Cornell Cooperative Extension will host a workshop to help small livestock farmers reduce and manage the parasites that affect pastured sheep and goats.

The 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. training is offered as a regional program for producers across the Northern New York region.

The workshop will cover managing pastures to minimize parasites, conducting parasite egg counts using microscopes and also include working hands-on with the sheep and goats at the CCE St. Lawrence County Extension Learning Farm.

Participants will use a diagnostic technique called FAMACHA to evaluate selected animals at the farm. Researchers in South Africa developed the painless technique to help farmers select those animals that need treatment. Treating complete flocks is causing parasitic worms to develop resistance to traditional deworming treatments.

Workshop organizer Betsy Hodge, a small livestock specialist with CCE St. Lawrence County and Northern New York Livestock Team leader, says, “Sheep and goat producers can use the FAMACHA training that matches eyelid color to anemia levels that can indicate parasitic infection in the animal. This diagnosing tool helps producers target treatment to only infected animals, which saves expense and improves treatment efficiency.”

Participants will receive a FAMACHA assessment scoring card to take home.

The workshop fee is $30 per person. A second person from the same farm can be added for $10. Lunch and materials are included and registration is required. Payment will be accepted at the door.

Sign-ups: 379-9192 or email bmf9@cornell.edu.

Those registering will be asked to bring fecal samples from their animals and, if they have one, their own microscope.