DATE: April 25, 2008

CONTACT: Danny Howard, (864) 232-4431
dhoward@clemson.edu
CONTACT: John Irwin, (864) 984-2514, ext. 117
jwirwin@clemson.edu

WRITER: Diane Palmer, (864) 656-4741
spalmer@clemson.edu


Extension offers goat and sheep parasite-control seminar

LAURENS — Clemson extension is offering a goat and sheep parasite-control seminar from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 24 at the extension office at 219 Laurens St. in Laurens. The cost is $35 per person if registration is received by May 8. The late registration cost is $45.

The seminar will focus on the FAMACHA Parasite Monitoring System. This system was developed in response to parasites developing resistance to parasite-control medications. The most economically important internal parasite in goats and sheep is a blood feeder, Haemonchus contours (barber pole worm). Animals infected with this parasite will develop anemia. The FAMACHA system scores the amount of redness in the eyelids as a method to determine the degree of anemia.

Bob Storey of the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine will be the featured speaker.

Participants will be taught why parasites develop resistances, how to use the FAMACHA system to score live animals and using the scores to make parasite-treatment decisions. There also will be sessions on proper forage selection and utilization for goats and sheep.

Directions to the Laurens County extension office are available at: www.clemson.edu/laurens. For more information, contact John Irwin at (864) 984-2514, ext 117, or jwirwin@clemson.edu.

The Clemson University Cooperative Extension Service offers its programs to people of all ages, regardless of race, color, sex, religion, national origin, disability, political beliefs, sexual orientation, marital or family status and is an equal opportunity employer. Should anyone require special accommodations due to a disability, please notify the extension office 10 days prior to the event.

END

Clemson University serves the state's citizens, communities and businesses through public service activities that include research, extension and regulatory services. For more information, go to www.clemson.edu/public/.