WORMInfo

What's new in the world of worms?

March 22, 2019

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.


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Big picture

Three New Fact Sheets Published

Three more fact sheets in the Best Management Practices to Control Internal Parasites in Small Ruminants have been published. So far, 9 fact sheets have been published. All fact sheets in the series are written and reviewed by members of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC).

"Genetic Selection: Using Crossbreeding & Estimated Breeding Values" was written by Dr. Scott Bowdridge and Andrew Weaver from West Virginia University. "Proper Use of Dewormers" was written by Dr. Lisa Williamson (DVM) from the University of Georgia. Dr. Kwame Matthews from Delaware State University is the author of "Management of Coccidia."

Genetic Selection: Using Crossbreeding & Estimated Breeding Values
Proper Use of Dewormers
Management of Coccidia

View all fact sheets in series

BioWorma® US Launch

International Animal Health Products (03.05.19)


"We are happy to announce that the first shipment of BioWorma® and Livamol® with BioWorma® (www.bioworma.com) has now been received and cleared, meaning we are now open for business in the USA, with our first official distributor being Premier 1 Supplies, located in Iowa. We expect to add a number of distributors/suppliers shortly."

We are actively looking for farm re-sellers (Livamol® with BioWorma®)
and Veterinarians (BioWorma®) to supply and support BioWorma®.

For further information please contact info@bioworma.com.

Breeding Parasite-Resistant Polypays

The American Polypay Sheep Association is wrapping up a three-year project that could ultimately lead to enhanced parasite resistance for the breed. Funded by the American Sheep Industry’s Let’s Grow Initiative, the study uses the National Sheep Improvement Program’s system of Estimated Breeding Values, or EBVs, in looking to quantitative genetics for a solution to a key sheep production problem.


Read press release

For the wool producer, hair sheep are not the answer. Those producers are looking to
identified genetic lines of Polypays with parasite resistance to attack the problem

that is likely to increase as producers increasingly rely on grazing marginal lands.

Selection for Low FEC in Cashmere Goats

Scottish researchers investigated the effect of selecting for low fecal egg count (FEC) in Cashmere goats. Goats from generations F2 through to F9 were monitored for FEC. They were compared to an unselected control line.


Read more . . .

The study demonstrated that selected line animals excreted a significantly
lower number of parasite eggs in the majority of generations examined.

Differences Between Lab & Field

French researchers conducted laboratory and field experiments to determine the efficacy of Duddingtonia flagran spores. For all the trials, half of the goats received the spores while the other half acted as controls. For the dose titration trial, two dose levels were given.

Read more . . .

Efficacy of the fungus was demonstrated in the lab, but not field.

New FAMACHA© Instructor

Melanie Barkley is a livestock educator for Penn State University. She is based out of the Bedford County office. She also serves as the team leader for the State Livestock Extension Team. Her program area focuses on sheep production, covering everything from basic production information to reproduction, nutrition, health, marketing and finances.

Melanie can be reached at meh7@psu.edu or (804) 623-4800.

View all instructors

Featured ACSRPC Member

Dave Scott is a livestock specialist for the National Center for Appropriate Technology and its ATTRA Program. He contributes practical how-to publications and videos for the sustainable farmer and rancher. He's also a Montana sheep rancher. You can reach Dave at (800) 346-9140 or daves@nact.org.

Read Dave's full profile.
View all ACSRPC members

Upcoming Events

December 7 (tentative) - HOLD THE DATE
Third All Worms All Day Conference
Sponsored by Virginia, Maryland, and Delaware Extension
Southwest Virginia

American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC)

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.