Prepared for American Sheep Industry Association. January 23, 2019. By Susan Schoenian

1. The fungus is coming!
SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Goat Specialist
University of Maryland Extension
sschoen@umd.edu – sheepandgoat.com - wormx.info

2. Duddingtonia flagrans
• Naturally-occurring fungus
that traps, paralyzes, and
consumes worm larvae.
• When consumed by grazing
livestock, it reduces
reinfection with larvae,
thereby reducing pasture
infectivity and worm
burdens of grazing animals.

3. How does it work?
• Fungal spores are added to animal feed; every day
to have a sufficient, continuous dose.
• The spores resist digestion, have no effect in the
animal, and pass through into the manure.
• Once in the manure, the fungal spores germinate
and grow networks of traps that ensnare and kill
the worm larvae soon after they emerge from eggs.
• Is equally effective against larvae of resistant
parasites.

4. BioWorma®
• After more than 20 years of
study, International Animal
Health Products (of Australia)
has commercialized the
fungus.
• It is being sold under the
trade name BioWorma®.
• There is another product
called Livamol® with
BioWorma®.

5. There are two products.
BIOWORMA®
• Contains 34.6% Fungus
500,000 units per gram
• Due to EPA restrictions, the
distribution of BioWorma® is
be limited to veterinarians,
feed mills, and premixers.
LIVAMOL® WITH BIOWORMA®
• Nutritional supplement* containing
2.2% fungus
34,000 units per gram
• Will be available over-the-counter
*Contains copper

6. Using BioWorma®
• It is recommended that BioWorma®
be fed daily.
• It can be top-dressed or incorporated
into a feed supplement or mineral
product.
• “BioWorma® should be fed
strategically during periods when
conditions are conducive to larvae
development and transmission onto
pasture at temperatures above
40F.” Animal Health International

7. Using BioWorma®
The most susceptible animals on the farm should be targeted.
PERIPARTURIENT EWE YOUNG LAMBS

8. Manufacturer’s recommendations
• Deworm animals prior to feeding
BioWorma®.
• Deworm selectively on basis of
FAMACHA©, Five Point Check©, fecal egg
count (FEC), or other indicator(s). [ACSRPC]
• After deworming, move animals to a
pasture with low infectivity (not previously
grazed for 6 weeks).
• Commence feeding BioWorma®; feed long
enough to maintain low worm status
Feed >60 days (Miller & Burke, ACSRPC)

9. What to expect
Average reduction of ~70% in worm burdens in tracer lambs
that were used to measure the infectivity of the pasture.
Lambs typically fed
BioWorma® over a 4
month period.
Source:
WormBoss, IAH

10. BioWorma® Limitations
• Cannot get wet.
• Cannot be put in a pellet.
• Not effective in the animal. Still need to deworm
clinically-parasitized animals with effective dewormer(s).
• Not effective on larvae that have already emerged
on pasture
• Not effective on life cycles of other parasites: coccidia,
tapeworms, or flukes (nematodes/roundworms only).

11. Safety
Environment
• Doesn’t seem to have negative effects
on non-targeted soil nematodes,
earthworms, dung beetles, etc.
Safety
• No harmful effects were found when
sheep and cattle consumed 5-10 x the
dose over a 6-8 week period.
• No harmful residues have been
detected in animals fed BioWorma®.

12. Cost-Benefit Analysis
• While the cost of BioWorma® and
Livamol® with BioWorma® is not yet
known, it will be expensive
(determined by distributors).
• Every farm will need to determine if
the added costs (product + labor) are
less than losses caused by worms.
• Also need to consider long-term
benefits of use, such as extending
efficacy of dewormers.
• May not be cost-effective for all
producers.

13. BioWorma®
Status
• Approved in US in 2018.
• Approved in 45/50 states*.
• The first container load of
BioWorma® left Australia for
US in December 2018.
• It is not known when BioWorma®
will be available for purchase.
• Primary US distributor is in Kansas.
• Available spring-fall (?)
*Not yet approved in California, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Oregon, and South Dakota.

14. Summary
• Biological control agent against
the immature (larval) stages of
gastro-intestinal nematodes
(worms) in livestock feces
• Targets worms on pasture where
majority (~90%) of population
resides.
• Not a “silver bullet.” Only one
part of an integrated parasite
management program.

15. More information
International Animal
Health BioWorma®
www.bioworma.com
American
Consortium for
Small Ruminant
Parasite Control
www.wormx.info

16. Thank you.
sheepandgoat.com