UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension will hold a workshop titled “It’s a Wormy Deal” at three locations this spring for sheep and goat producers.
The first will take place 7-9 p.m. Monday, April 18, at the Oberholtzer Farm in East Earl, Lancaster County. The second workshop will be held 7- 9 p.m. Tuesday, April 19, at the Dotterer Farm in Mill Hall, Clinton County. The third is set for 6-8 p.m. Saturday, April 30, at the Wherry Farm in Scenery Hill, Washington County.
“The workshop is named the way it is because it’s a wormy deal for sheep and goat producers throughout the grazing season in Pennsylvania,” said Melanie Barkley, senior extension educator based in Bedford County, who is coordinating the workshops. “Wet weather leads to ideal conditions for internal parasites to flourish in pasture systems and leads to infected animals.
Producers can learn how to better manage internal parasites at these workshops.”
Featured topics include an overview of the internal parasite life cycle and techniques to prevent parasite infection, according to Barkley. The workshop also will include information on how to use FAMACHA to assess anemia levels in sheep and goats. The FAMACHA score allows producers to determine the need to treat individual animals. Producers will demonstrate the procedure as part of the workshop.
FAMACHA scoring is a great way to identify animals with high levels of the barberpole worm, Barkley explained. “This worm causes major problems in sheep and goat flocks across the state,” she said. “The FAMACHA procedure also helps to slow resistance development to deworming products.”
The cost to attend one of the workshops is $25 and includes handout materials, refreshments and a FAMACHA card. Registration is requested by April 15. To register for a workshop, call 877-345-0691 or go to https://extension.psu.edu/its-a-wormy-deal. Registration is limited to 50 people for each workshop.
The Oberholtzer Farm is located at 3961 Division Highway, East Earl. The Dotterer Farm is located at 1074 Dotterers Road, Mill Hall. The Wherry Farm is located at 526 Spring Valley Road, Scenery Hill.
For more information about the workshops, contact Barkley at 814-623-4800 or Camren Maierle at 724-662-3141.
–Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State University
