Press Release

Goat Parasite Management Workshop June 5

The color of your goat’s eyelid can tell you if it will live or die.

Meat goats are growing in popularity on Oklahoma farms.

On Saturday, June 5, at a workshop at the Kerr Center near Poteau, attendees will learn about simple, low-cost techniques for gauging goat health, and effective strategies to keep their goats healthy.

The Kerr Center for Sustainable Agriculture, OSU Extension and Langston University’s American Institute for Goat Research are sponsors of the workshop, which starts at nine a.m. and runs until three.

The morning will be devoted to learning about internal parasites that afflict goats and the problem of resistance to dewormers.

Goat parasites thrive in eastern Oklahoma’s wet, humid climate, and chemical dewormers are growing less effective because of overuse.

Langston University’s Dr. Steve Hart will talk about worm biology and ways to effectively manage parasites without regular deworming.

Kerr Center intern Erica Hellen looks for worm eggs under the microscope.

Extension veterinarian Dr. David Sparks will be on hand to explain “eye scores,” also known as the FAMACHA test. The FAMACHA system was developed in South Africa in response to the emergence of drug resistant worms.

The system utilizes an anemia guide to evaluate the eyelid color of a goat to determine the severity of parasite infection (as evidenced by anemia) and the need for deworming.

A bright red color indicates that the animal has few or no worms or that the animal has the capacity to tolerate its worm load. An almost white eyelid color is a warning sign of very bad anemia-- the worms present in the animals gut are in such numbers they are draining the animal of blood. If left untreated, the animal will soon die.

After lunch, attendees will get hands-on training in the FAMACHA test and FEC, fecal egg counts.

Goat producers can use these two simple techniques to monitor their animals’ parasite loads and manage their herds sustainably.

Preregistration is required by June 2 to reserve a place. To register, contact the Kerr Center at 918.647.9123 or mailbox@kerrcenter.com.

Space is limited so register early. Registration costs $10 at the door, and includes lunch. The workshop will be held rain or shine.

For more information on this event, other upcoming events, and the Kerr Center’s goat program, visit the Kerr Center website, www.kerrcenter.com.

The site also offers a wide selection of free informational resources on organic farming and sustainable agriculture.

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