UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — producers can learn how to better manage internal parasites at the “It’s a Wormy Deal” Workshop that will be held from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Mercer County Penn State Extension Office in Mercer, Pa.
Featured topics include an overview of the internal parasite life cycle and techniques to prevent parasite infection. The workshop will also 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. Sheep and goat producers will also can meet Camren Maierle, the new extension educator for Mercer County, at the event.
“FAMACHA scoring is a great way to identify animals with high levels of the barberpole worm,” said Melanie Barkley, Penn State Extension Educator and speaker for the event. “This worm causes major problems in sheep and goat flocks across the state. The FAMACHA procedure also helps to slow resistance development to deworming products.”
The cost to attend the meeting is $25, which includes handout materials, refreshments and a FAMACHA card. Registration is requested by Oct.18. To register for the meeting, call 877-345-0691 or go to https://extension.psu.edu/its-a-wormy-deal. Registration is limited to 50 people for the workshop.
The Penn State Extension Office in Mercer County is located at 463 North Perry Highway, Mercer, Pa. For more information about the workshop, contact Camren Maierle at 724-662-3141 or Melanie Barkley at 814-623-4800, or email: meh7@psu.edu
–Jeff Mulhollem, Penn State University