Improving small ruminant parasite control in New England

Improving small ruminant parasite control in New England

Summary

     Gastrointestinal nematode parasite infections, particularly Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm), are a serious economic problem for small ruminant producers in the Northeast limiting their ability to raise sheep and goats on pasture. The goal of this project is to improve the parasite control practices of farmers in the region through parasite control workshops supported by farm visits.  Research will investigate the anthelmintic potential of the condensed tannins in cranberries and the effect of vitamin E supplementation on the host response to parasite infection.
 
     In 2013, the focus of year four included follow-up with 129 existing project producer farms (2010 – 2012), and the development and distribution of a two-hour project video “Got Worms? Improving Small Ruminant Parasite Control in New England.”  DVD copies were printed and distributed to project partners and participants (135 project producers to date and 55 veterinarians).  Three additional workshops were conducted including two in southeastern MA (11 farmers, 2 teachers, 14 students) and one at the NOFA NY Winter Conference (22 farmers, 3 veterinarians).  Limited farm visits were conducted and included six new producer farms (4-CT, 1-MA, 1-RI) as well as follow up visits and/or fecal sampling with eight existing producer farms (4-CT, 1-MA, 1-RI, 2-VT).

     Research accomplishments include completion of the research on the effects of Vitamin E supplementation on parasite resistance in sheep.  The analyses were completed in 2013 and a final manuscript was written and submitted for publication in October 2013.  Evaluation of the anthelmintic potential of cranberry leaf powder (CLP) and a bioactive proanthocyanidin (PAC) extract from CLP continued with completion of H. contortus egg hatch, L1/L2 and adult mortality and larval development assays.  The first in vivo trial of cranberry leaf powder (CLP) in H. contortus infected lambs was completed.

     In September 2013, a one year no-cost extension was obtained for this project through October 31, 2014.  This will allow for continued follow-up with existing project producers, continued education and outreach activities with new producers, as well as project assessment and verification of outcomes.

Objectives/Performance Targets

Performance Target. Three hundred and sixty producers of sheep and/or goats will reduce their cost of anthelmintic use by 50% ($2/animal) on 4,240 animals (Year 1 – $2,853, Year 2 – $5,706, Year 3 – $8,560, Total – $17,119) by implementing some or all of the following practices: use of the FAMACHA system, body condition scoring, fecal egg counts for selective deworming, mixed species grazing and pasture rotation. Project duration: 3 years.

Milestone 1 (revised).  360 sheep and/or goat producers will complete a comprehensive survey on their current methods, problems and costs associated with parasite control; as well as on-going follow up surveys after each parasite season. This milestone has been partially met. During 2013, the producer survey was completed by four new producers, a total of 136 producer surveys to date. A follow-up survey was administered to all 2010 (41 active) and 2011 (44) project producers after the 2012 parasite season to monitor changes in behavior, practices adopted, and other outcomes. Eighteen producers from 2010 (44% response rate) and twenty-five producers from 2011 (57% response rate) completed the follow-up survey.

Milestone 2. Research on effects of vitamin E supplementation on parasite resistance in sheep; and presentation to producers, extension agents, researchers. This milestone has been met. The analyses were completed in 2013 and the manuscript resulting from this research project was finalized and submitted for publication in October 2013.

Milestone 3.   Research on efficacy of the bioactive component of cranberry leaves as a natural anthelmintic in sheep; and presentation to producers, extension agents, researchers. This milestone has been partially met. Research continued with further in vitro analyses of PAC and an in vivo study with CLP in lambs experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus.  Incubation with varying concentrations of PAC did not affect H. contortus egg hatch but did significantly increase L1/L2 and adult mortality and reduce larval development.  Dosing of H. contortus infected lambs with CLP, at a dose approximating a rumen concentration of 75 mg/mL PAC, resulted in a treatment by week effect with evidence of a mild suppression in fecal egg count 1 and 2 weeks following CLP dosing.  These results were presented at the annual meeting of the Conference of Research Workers in Animal Diseases in December 2013.

Milestone 4. 900 (24%) producers will attend a workshop providing comprehensive parasite control education and FAMACHA© system training.  Multiple workshops will be conducted throughout CT, MA, RI, and VT.  This milestone has been met.  Twenty-five integrated parasite control workshops have been conducted in CT, MA, RI, and VT from 2010 – 2012 for small ruminant producers. Three additional workshops were conducted during 2013 to continue education and outreach efforts. One workshop was conducted at the New York NOFA Winter Conference (1/25/13) and included hands-on fecal egg counting instruction (22 farmers and 3 veterinarians attended). Two workshops were conducted in Dighton, MA (southeastern MA) on 1/26/13 (5 farmers, 2 teachers, 14 students) and 6/22/13 (6 farmers) in an effort to increase interest and participation from this area. In addition, the 1/26/13 workshop, featuring project partner Dr. Anne Zajac, was videotaped, edited and produced, in partnership with the URI Dept. Media and Technology Services, a two-hour video entitled “Got Worms? Improving Small Ruminant Parasite Control in New England”.  DVD copies were printed and distributed to project partners and participants (135 project producers to date and 55 veterinarians) in September 2013.

Milestone 5. 365 (10%) producers will participate in the farm visit portion of the Project.  This milestone has been partially met.  One hundred twenty nine producers have participated in the farm visit portion of this project from 2010 – 2012 (CT–32, MA–20, RI–16, VT–61). Six new producers (CT-4, RI-1, MA-1) participated in summer 2013 farm visits with 31 sheep and 35 goats evaluated (weighed, FAMACHA scoring, Body Condition scoring, presence of diarrhea) and 77 fecal egg count samples collected and analyzed.  Three CT farms met the criteria for a second farm visit. Outreach for gaining producer interest in the MA workshops (Milestone 4) and the farm visit portion of this project was extensive and included Listserv announcements to the following: Worcester County Sheep Producer’s Association, Pioneer Valley Sheep Breeders Association, New England Sheep and Wool Growers Association, UMASS 4-H Program, URI 4-H Program, RI Raised Livestock Association, RI Sheep Cooperative, RI Dairy Goat Association, URI CE Sustainable Ag. Listserv, RI Conservation District Listserv, and CT producer groups and associations with assistance from UCONN project partner, Joyce Meader.  The workshops were also advertised on websites including the UMASS Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Farm Fresh Rhode Island.  In addition, follow-up emails were composed and sent to all producers who attended the MA workshops, re-iterating and encouraging further participation in the farm visit portion of the project.

In addition to the new producer farms, five existing producers received follow-up visits (CT-4, RI-1) with 30 sheep and 29 goats being evaluated and 73 fecal egg count samples being collected and analyzed.  Three CT producers met the criteria for a second farm visit.  Three existing producers (MA-1, VT-2) collected and sent 24 fecal samples to URI for analyses. Forty-four producers from 2012 received a letter with the results of their fecal culture and species identification test (collected during the 2012 farm visits).

Milestone 6 (revised).  360 (10%) small ruminant producers will reduce anthelmintic use by using the FAMACHA^Ó system, BCS and FEC to selectively deworm those animals infected with parasites. A follow-up survey was administered to all 2010 (41 active) and 2011 (44) participants after the 2012 parasite season to monitor changes in behavior, practices adopted, and other outcomes. Eighteen producers from 2010 (44% response rate) and twenty-five producers from 2011 (57% response rate) completed the follow-up survey.  This follow-up survey will be administered again, beginning winter 2014, to all 2010 (41 active), 2011 (43 active), and 2012 (44) producer participants to evaluate the 2013 parasite season.  Analyses of follow-up survey data has begun and will continue during 2014 to determine behavior change, practices adopted and other outcomes.  Highlights to date are listed under impacts and outcomes.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Milestones 1, 4, 5, 6: Producer Surveys; Workshops; Farm Visits; Evaluating Behavior Change  
     In 2013 the focus of project year 4 included follow-up with 129 existing project producer farms (2010 – 2012), and the development and distribution of a two hour project video, Got Worms?  Improving Small Ruminant Parasite Control in New England.  This was to be the final project year 4, though a one-year no-cost extension was obtained in September 2013 which will allow for continued education and outreach activities with producers, as well as project assessment and verification of outcomes.

     Workshops and the farm visit portion of this project were targeted for years 1 through 3; however, project staff and students at URI, UCONN, and Virginia Tech did conduct some limited workshops and farm visits. Two of the three workshops conducted in 2013 were held in Dighton (Southeastern) MA in an effort to gain additional interest and participation from producers in this area.  Eleven farmers, 2 teachers, and 14 students attended from MA, CT and RI.  These workshops resulted in two new producer farms (1-MA, 1-RI) that completed the producer survey and farm visit portions of this project.  Extensive outreach for the MA workshops and follow-up with producers that attended occurred as outlined under Milestone 5.  UCONN also conducted outreach and farm visits, revisiting 5 existing producers (4-CT, 1-RI) and establishing four new CT producers. Two CT producers completed the Producer Survey.

     An additional focus of the January 2013 workshop in Dighton, MA was the production of the project video.  The workshop, conducted by project partner Dr. Anne Zajac, was videotaped, edited and produced as a two hour video in partnership with the URI Dept. Media and Technology Services. DVD copies were printed and distributed to project partners and participants (135 project producers to date and 55 veterinarians) in September 2013.  This video will provide project producers with a review and reinforcement of integrated parasite control knowledge and hands-on demonstration of FAMACHA© scoring. Another goal of this tool is to determine if this video, along with follow-up knowledge testing and hands-on demonstration of FAMACHA scoring through live video methods, could serve as a viable alternative to workshops allowing us to reach those producers who are interested but unable to attend the requisite workshop.

     Another big focus of year four was following up with existing project producers.  A follow-up survey was administered to all 2010 (41 active) and 2011 (44) participants after the 2012 parasite season to monitor changes in behavior, practices adopted, and other outcomes.  Eighteen producers from 2010 (44% response rate) and 25 producers from 2011 (57% response rate) completed the follow-up survey.  This follow up survey will be administered again, beginning winter 2014, to all 2010 (41 active), 2011 (43 active), and 2012 (44) producer participants to evaluate the 2013 parasite season.  Analyses of follow-up survey data has begun and will continue during 2014 to determine behavior change, practices adopted and other outcomes. Highlights to-date are listed under impacts and outcomes.

     In addition, 44 producers from 2012 received a letter with the results of their fecal culture and species identification test (collected during the 2012 farm visits).  This, along with the follow up surveys, generated some email and phone correspondence with some producers providing detailed information about their current herd/flock parasite status and seeking recommendations for management. Three of these existing producers (MA-1, VT-2) collected and sent 24 fecal samples to URI for analyses. This further demonstrates the value of the project video for providing a review and reinforcement of integrated parasite control practices and knowledge, and the need for continued education and support on this topic including, how to conduct fecal egg counting.    

Milestones 2 and 3:  Vitamin E and Cranberry research
Research on the effects of Vitamin E supplementation on parasite resistance in sheep was completed in 2013 and the manuscript resulting from this research project was finalized and submitted for publication in October 2013. Evaluation of the anthelmintic potential of cranberry leaf powder (CLP) and a bioactive proanthocyanidin (PAC) extract from CLP continued.  Incubation with varying concentrations of PAC did not affect H. contortus egg hatch but did significantly increase L1/L2 and adult mortality and reduce larval development.  Dosing of H. contortus infected lambs with CLP, at a dose approximating a rumen concentration of 75 mg/mL PAC, resulted in a treatment by week effect with evidence of a mild suppression in fecal egg count 1 and 2 weeks following CLP dosing.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

• Four new producers completed a producer survey for a total of 136 producer surveys to date.
• Eighteen producers from 2010 (44% response rate) and 25 producers from 2011 (57% response rate) completed the follow-up survey.
• Vitamin E supplementation of H. contortus infected sheep resulted in a decrease in abomasal worm burden. Further investigations into the mechanism of action of vitamin E on parasitic infections are needed.
• Cranberry leaf powder may have efficacy as an alternative anthelmintic for small ruminant producers. Further research into the amount, form and duration of CLP dosing for optimal anthelmintic efficacy is warranted.
• Three additional workshops were conducted during 2013 including two in southeastern MA and one at the NOFA NY Winter Conference that included hands-on fecal egg counting instruction. Twenty-eight integrated parasite control workshops for small ruminant producers, five workshops for veterinarians, and one additional workshop on fecal egg counting (CT) have been conducted throughout all of the project states to date.
• Developed and distributed a two hour project video, Got Worms? Improving Small Ruminant Parasite Control in New England.  DVD copies were printed and distributed to project partners and participants (135 project producers to date and 55 veterinarians).
• Six new producers (CT-4, RI-1, MA-1) participated in 2013 farm visits with 31 sheep and 35 goats evaluated (weighed, FAMACHA scoring, Body Condition Scoring, presence of diarrhea) and 77 fecal egg count samples collected and analyzed.  There are currently 135 project producers with 2,443 sheep and 1,002 goats visited and 2,354 Fecal Egg Count samples collected and analyzed to date.
• Five existing producers received follow up farm visits (CT-4, RI-1) with 30 sheep and 29 goats evaluated and 73 fecal egg count samples collected and analyzed.
• Three existing producers (MA-1, VT-2) collected and sent 24 fecal samples to URI for analyses.
• Forty-four producers from 2012 received a letter with the results of their fecal culture and species identification test (collected during the 2012 farm visits).    

Follow up survey highlights – One Year After Participation:
     Thirty-seven producers with 1,120 sheep and 427 goats have responded to the follow up survey.  86% of sheep owners and 76% of goat owners raised offspring.
     The majority of participants (73%) have instituted the following new practices since participating in this education program:

• 71% FAMACHA scoring
• 52% Body Condition Scoring
• 42% Genetic Selection – breeding and culling decisions based on parasite susceptibility 

Follow up survey highlights – Two Years After Participation:
     Eighteen producers with 398 sheep and 187 goats have responded to the follow up survey.  100% of sheep owners and 79% of goat owners raised offspring.
     The majority of participants (88%) have instituted the following new practices since participating in this education program:

• 71% FAMACHA scoring
• 47% Body Condition Scoring
• 24% Fecal Egg Counts; Multi-species Grazing; and Increased the height of plants being grazed.

Collaborators: