August 2020
August is like the Sunday of summer.
Online FAMACHA© Certification
In March 2016, the University of Rhode Island began offering online FAMACHA© certification. Due to the restrictions imposed by Covid 19, several other institutions began offering online FAMACHA© certification in 2020.
It Starts with Genetics
For sheep producers with flocks on pasture, controlling internal parasites can be expensive and time-consuming, but the cost of not controlling the parasites can be even greater, in reduced performance and death losses. While it won’t eliminate the need to monitor and deworm entirely, building a flock with greater genetic resistance can help reduce losses and treatment expenses.
Study to Access Efficacy of Ivermectin Against Covid-19
Clínica Universidad de Navarra and the Barcelona Institute for Global Health (ISGlobal), a centre supported by the "la Caixa" Foundation, have launched a clinical trial to investigate the efficacy of ivermectin against COVID-19. The aim of the study, carried out in collaboration with Idifarma, is to determine whether administration of ivermectin is associated with a shorter viral clearance time.
Low Cost Fecal Egg Counting
Members of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control who have laboratories are now offering affordable ($5 per sample) fecal egg counting for the purpose of genetic improvement through the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) or to determine fecal egg count reductions (to determine dewormer resistance). The results will be provided as numbers only with no interpretation or consultation.
Reduced Activity May Indicate Parasitism
Parasitism impacts grazing behavior. Parasitized animals reduce their intake of pasture. These changes are potential indicators of disease. The technology now exists to measure animal activity on pasture. Scientists are using the available technology to determine whether physical activity can be used to access the impact of gastro-intestinal parasites.
Timely Topic: December 2014
Sericea lespedeza: "wise man's alfalfa"
by Tom Terrill
Because of its ability to tolerate infertile, acidic soils and grow well on sloping land with minimal lime and fertilizer inputs, the perennial warm-season legume sericea lespedeza (SL; Lespedeza cuneata) has earned the nickname "Poor man’s alfalfa." With recent research on the potential health and environmental benefits of including SL in the diet of ruminant animals, it may be time for a new nickname.
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About the Newsletter
WORMINFO is a monthly newsletter about gastro-intestinal parsites. 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.
American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC)
Email: sschoen@umd.edu
Website: http://www.wormx.info