WORMInfo

WORMINFO is a monthly newsletter about worms. It is sent to subscribers to the WORMINFO listserv. The WORMINFO listserv lets subscribers know when something new has posted to WORMX, the web site of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC). To subscribe to the WORMINFO listserv, send an email to listserv@listserv.umd.edu. In the body of the message, write subscribe WORMINFO. You can also subscribe to the newsletters via Smore.

To retrieve previous newsletters, click HERE.

The laboratory of Dr. Ray Kaplan at University of Georgia regrets to inform clients with small ruminants and exotic animals that we are currently on back order for the DrenchRite® resistance testing assay plates. We hope to resolve this problem in the coming months, however, at this time we are unable to perform this resistant testing assay. We regret any inconveniences this may cause.

Read more . . .

UPDATE FROM UGA

The DrenchRite® test uses special assay plates that are made in Australia. Testing was recently halted because the plates were not available. Good news: the lab at UGA should receive new plates in a few weeks and be able to resume DrenchRite® testing before the end of August. Contact the lab before collecting and submitting samples.

Sue Howell
(706) 542-0742

jscb@uga.edu

Researchers at the Gluck Equine Research Center at the University of Kentucky have developed Smartphone technology for doing fecal egg counts. The technology has been licensed by Zoetis, which is focusing on small animals, while the University of Kentucky continues to fine-tune the technology for the equine industry.

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In Australia, to sell livestock as "organic", producers are not allowed to treat livestock with veterinary chemicals (anthelmintics) to control internal parasites. There is also mounting pressure in conventional livestock systems to reduce reliance on anthelmintics because of the increasing prevalence of drug-resistant worms and because of consumer concerns over chemical residues.

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The concept of leaving parasites unexposed to treatment (“in refugia”) and thus maintaining susceptible alleles within the population is considered to be of critical importance in slowing the evolution of resistant parasite strains. The Happy Factor™ method involves predicting an individual weight target for growing lambs and only treating each animal which fails to achieve this level of productivity.

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Nutrition and the condition of sheep can have a major impact on the resistance and resilience of sheep to worms. Sheep that are resistant to worms can prevent some or all worms from establishing and as a result have lower worm egg counts.

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In 2017, ACSRPC members Thomas Terrill (Fort Valley State University) and Jorge Mosjidis (Auburn University, retired) published a review article about sericea lespedeza (SL) in the Journal of Agriculture Science & Technology. The article includes sections on the history of SL; the agronomic, environmental, and health benefits of SL; the anti-parasitic properties of SL; feeding recommendations for parasite control using SL; and the future of SL.

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Cornell University has published a fact sheet about the meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis), also called the deer or brain worm. Cornell has also developed a web site that has additional resources pertaining to the meningeal worm.

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September 16-18

National Goat Conference Hosted by Tuskegee University
Information Link

September 21
Southwest AREC Sheep Field Day and Ram Test Sale
(rams are evaluated for parasite resistance)
Virginia Tech Southwest Agriculture Research & Education Center, Glade Spring, Virginia
Info: Scott Greiner at (540) 231-9159 or Lee Wright at (276) 944-2200

December 8
Delmarva Small Ruminant Conference: ALL WORMS ALL DAY
Western Maryland Research & Education Center, Keedysville, Maryland
Info: Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu or (301) 432-2767 x343

The ACSRPC is a group of scientists, veterinarians, and extension specialists dedicated to helping small ruminant producers control GI parasites in their flocks and herds.

Website: http://www.wormx.info