1. Characterizing the parasite challenge of meat goats grazing summer pastures in Western Maryland SUSAN SCHOENIANSheep &Goat SpecialistWestern Maryland Research & Education Centerwww.sheepandgoat.com – sschoen@umd.edu
2. Western Maryland Pasture-based Meat Goat Performance Test Established in 2006 to evaluate the performance of weanling goats on a pasture-only diet with natural exposure to internal parasites. Early June through late September
3. Central performance testing “A central performance test is where animals from different herds are brought to one central location where performance is recorded. The rationale is that measured differences are more likely due to genetic differences, which will be passed onto offspring, rather than environmental differences which will not. The goal of a central performance test is to identify genetic differences among animals.” Dr. Dan Waldron Texas A&M University 2010 top performing buckConsigned by Craig Adams (IL)Sold for $1,350 to PA
5. Male goats of any breed or breed cross, born between December 15 (previous year) and March 20 (test year) and weighing 35 to 70 lbs. at the start of the test. Up to 5 goats per consigner (any state). Eligibility
6. Number of goats tested Five year consignersDon Smith [L] from VirginiaJeanne Dietz-Band [R] from Maryland
30. Fecal egg counts (eggs per gram of feces) Determined by Delaware State University using the modified McMaster procedure. Fecal egg counts are a measure of parasite resistance (infection). Resistant animals shed fewer eggs onto the pasture. June September
31. Individual egg counts It is estimated that 20% of the animals in a herd shed 80 percent of the eggs. In sheep, the pathogenic burden of the barber pole worm is ~2,000 epg. Individual goats
34. Fecal coproculture (larvae ID) The worm burden has been almost all barber pole worm, especially as the summer progresses. Other worm species in fecal samples: Trichostrongylus*, Oesophagostomum, Nematodiris, Eimeria, and Moniezia June September