Final Report for FNE03-482

Note to readers, attached is the complete final report for FNE03-482

The goal of this project was to run a controlled experiment to evaluate the effectiveness of various natural wormers and worming rates on parasites in lambs. At the same time, Jean attempted to identify the naturally resistant lambs for retention as breeding stock.

Jean divided her lambs into four treatment groups. The treatments were: 1. Control group – not treated unless it was necessary for their survival; 2. Crystal Creek organic wormer at a rate of 2 tsp. mixed with water to make a 1 oz. dose; 3. Garlic juice at a rate of 1 tsp concentrated juice diluted with water to make a 1 oz. dose; and 4. Farmstead Health Supply – a mixture of ½ tsp. Sustain and 1 tsp Restore mixed with water to make a 2 oz. dose. The parasites that were found in the lambs were Haemonchus contortus and Coccidia.

Jean’s data showed that garlic juice was the most effective at reducing the number of eggs of H. contortus and Coccidia. Jean felt that her own heightened awareness and greatly improved understanding of parasite life cycles was also one of the most important results of the project. This improved understanding will allow her to change her management program to reduce the need for using wormers. She hopes to pursue this research further and test different dosages of garlic juice as a treatment. She also hopes to further examine the potential of natural genetic resistance. She definitely will be using garlic juice to treat her flock for parasites.

• FNE03-482 Final with pictures
• FNE03-482 Charts
• The Producer: Maine Shepard Researches Organic Parasite Control Article