Opportunities for Improvement

Opportunities for Improvement of Small Ruminant Production Producer's Report on Preliminary Research Results

Prepared by David Wolfgang, Ron Hoover, and Kimberly Nelen, The Pennsylvania State University; Michele Gauger, PASA and The Pennsylvania State University

Thanks are extended to the following county-based Cooperative Extension educators for field support and collection of samples for analyses: Melanie Barkley, David Hartman, Linda Spahr, & J. Craig Williams

Background

This project was developed during 2004 as small ruminant farmers and health care providers reported reduced performance from commercially available worming medications. These anthelminthics (wormers), effective at removing many internal parasites just years prior, are becoming less effective because of selection for resistant parasite populations. The problem is expected to remain for some time as few new medications with potential to control resistant populations are being developed.

Project coordinators seek to identify the extent of the problem and to educate small ruminant producers about how to reduce the impact of internal parasites on their animals. This may be possible with more judicious use of existing medicines and by becoming better informed about other farm management practices that can reduce the impact of this problem.

More than 40 farmers responded to a call to participate in the risk assessment (see adjacent poster) and analyses of soil, forage, and fecal samples. Through December 2005, sampling was conducted on nearly 20 of those farms. Summaries of some of those data are presented here. Additional sampling will occur during 2006

Objectives

To consider a whole farm systems approach to improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability of small ruminant farms. A "graduated risk assessment tool" that focuses on five specific areas of farm activity will be used to objectively aid in the evaluations of farms. Identification of specific areas of need will enable farmers to focus time and resources in those areas to result in a more rapid improvement of the whole farm.

Looking at the Farm

Small ruminant (sheep and goats) farms are comprised of many integrated systems. Overall success of the farm is dependent on the efficiency and productivity of the individual systems. If optimizing the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of the entire farm is a goal of the farmer, the evaluation can be made more manageable by first evaluating the individual systems.

Instead of only addressing internal parasite problems, the coordinators decided to "dig deeper" and evaluate multiple components of the farming operation. This led to the development of a RISK ASSESSMENT.

Risk Assessment

The risk assessment process begins by collecting information about the farm's history, current practices, and future plans.

The 5 management focus areas were included:

• Flock or herd parasite management
• Pasture/forage management
• Environmental quality
• Farm management
• Farm marketing
  

Components within an area were scored for the amount of risk associated with each. A high score indicates that there is much risk involved in that part of the operation, and that attention is warranted to reduce the risk of poor or inconsistent performance.

We believe a strategic overall farm management plan has the potential to reduce parasite burdens, improve animal performance, promote animal health and increase producer profitability.

Preliminary Risk Assessment Summary

 
Key Observations:

• Only 13% of farms at high risk of problems with parasites
• 2/3 of farms at high risk regarding their pasture management
• Levels of risk associated with farm management & marketing are varied

Fecal Analyses: Internal Parasites

Composite (pooled) fecal samples were taken from 20 farms located across PA and analyzed for internal parasites. Composite samples can be a good indicator of the total parasite load in a group of animals. Proper interpretation of the results along with animal observations such as the FAMACHA system allows producers to use control strategies in an effective, judicious manner.

• Pooled samples >300 eggs/gm indicate a fairly high parasite load & high risk for the entire flock.
  • To be most effective, strategic therapies should be instituted with knowledge of parasite life cycle & persistence in environment
• Pooled sample counts with 1 to 300 eggs/gm indicate a low parasite burden & select animals may be at risk.
  • Use FAMACHA, body condition or other animal indicators to target therapy and animal needs
• Negative pooled samples are welcome news but may be influenced by time of year and age of animals; should confirm with additional samples.
  • No parasite exposure is wonderful, but flock will have no immunity. If new animals introduce parasites, major problems can arise quickly.

• Pooled samples >1000 oocysts/gm indicate young animals are exposed to a large number of protozoa
  • Young animals exposed to this level are likely to suffer weight loss & be more prone to other infections. Therapy likely to be cost effective.
• Pooled samples between 1 and 1000 oocysts/gm indicated a low level of infection. Select animals may be less thrifty but most may appear normal.
  • Good environmental control measures to limit fecal oral contamination will help. Oral supplements are likely sufficient.
• Negative pooled samples are good, but may be strongly influenced by age of animals. Older animals are very resistant and may not shed any oocyts.
  • Negative samples during cold months and from older animals may be misleading; with warm weather and newborns, high exposure may return.

Soil Fertility Analyses

Low soil pH is the greatest need to be addressed. As energy costs climb, so will the cost of N fertilizer. Including a legume is a very cost effective means to supply the pasture system with N. However, legumes will not establish or grow well in a low pH soil. Although all nutrients are essential for good crop growth, soil pH and adequate use of lime is key to making them. 

Forage Quality Analyses

Adequate levels of crude protein and energy are necessary to support milk production and growth. Inclusion of legumes in the sward provides an inexpensive source of N to the system (see above). Legumes also improve the quality of a pasture or hay due to inherently higher protein and greater digestibility than most grasses. Inclusion of legumes and attention to proper grazing management can result in higher quality forage that will improve animal performance or reduce the need for grain supplements.