by The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office
The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Checkoff helped 54 producers across the state gain valuable knowledge and skills in parasite management in 2024. Through a new education initiative called Small Ruminant Boot Camp and Parasitology Clinics, the Checkoff Board expanded on the parasitology programs started in 2022. “We started parasitology clinics with Kentucky State University a couple of years ago, but kept getting requests for more topics so, the Checkoff Board decided to kick the current program initiatives up a notch,” explained Kelley Yates, Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office Executive Director. The new initiative combined parasitology with other topics like hoof trimming, proper drenching, proper injection sites, body condition scoring, nutrition, handling, and health.
One of the goals of the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Checkoff is to help expand production of sheep and goats in the state. By helping producers gain more production knowledge and skills, the industry should be more sustainable and even grow. When asked, 74% of the participants had plans to expand or change their operations based on what they learned in the boot camps. Of those same participants, 91% intended to incorporate new management practices learned from the camps like feed better nutrition, conduct fecal samples, implement creep feeding, practice better rotational grazing, and use FAMACHA scores.
In the parasitology portion of the boot camps, producers learned why and how to use fecal samples. Kelley explains, “We all want more parasite resistant small ruminants. Since that is genetic, we can use fecal eggs counts to see if an animal’s genotype actually is parasite resistant. When producers use this tool, they can improve their flocks/herds, as well as honestly say their replacement stock is beneficial to potential buyers.” Along with learning how to take and analyze fecal samples, participants received their FAMACHA certification, learned how to determine body condition scores and when to use them, and how to properly dose with anthelmintics. Of participants, 84% had never conducted a fecal test and 44% did not currently use body condition scoring.
Another aspect of the boot camps was to help producers understand how health, nutrition, and parasite management are all connected. Common ailments and treatments were covered, along with quality assurance topics like proper antibiotic use, injection sites, drenching, biosecurity, and quarantine protocols. Further discussions were held on how to find small ruminant veterinarians. Of participants, 54% said the boot camps helped them recognize health concerns within their herds/flocks and felt more equipped to handle those concerns.
Small Ruminant Boot Camps were held in Bullitt, Grayson, and Wolfe Counties from April to September, which was prime parasite season. Participants were encouraged to bring their own fecal samples in order to see if their animals had a parasite load. The most common result were producers learning they had coccidia instead of a HOT complex. All producers were then led through treatment options by Dr. Beth Johnson, DVM.
"The Small Ruminant Parasitology Bootcamp hosted by the KY Sheep and Goat Development Office (KYSGDO) in Bullitt County in April 2024, was the perfect hands-on learning experience for sheep and goat producers in Bullitt and surrounding counties who had previously come to Bullitt County Cooperative Extension during the Small Ruminant Profit School. With lectures on pasture management and nutrition, farmers learned the basics of preventing parasites from the beginning. However, the team from KYSGDO also brought in everything that farmers needed to learn how to pick out sick animals, take samples, identify parasites, and take corrective action. Farmers in attendance worked with real livestock to take fecal samples, diagnose issues in the flock or herd, trim hooves, and rate body condition and FAMACHA scores. They left feeling confident collecting samples, comfortable using a microscope, and reassured that they can make better management decisions to keep healthier livestock," stated Nathan Rider, Bullitt County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources.
“One of the best parts of the boot camps were helping producers make friends,” said Kelley. Of the participants 97% felt more connected to industry resources, industry organizations, and other producers. “Participants commented on how much they appreciated the networking.”
The Checkoff Board voted unanimously in January 2024 to support the boot camps, and will review the results to determine how to best implement more in 2025.
The Kentucky Sheep and Goat Check-Off Program began in 2010 and collects $.50 for every $100 worth of sheep and goats sold in the Commonwealth. According to Kentucky law, Check-Off funds must be used for the purpose of promoting the increased use and sale of sheep and goats. Check-Off Funds are overseen by the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Council, which is a seven member board consisting of the following; 2 members appointed by Kentucky Farm Bureau, 2 members appointed by the Kentucky Goat Producers Association, 2 members appointed by the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association, and 1 member appointed by the Commissioner of Agriculture. You can learn more about the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Checkoff at https://www.kysheepandgoat.org/check-off.
Kelley Yates has served as the Executive Director for KSGDO since 2012. She grew up on a cattle and sheep farm in Clark County, KY, where she still resides with cattle and a few goats. She earned her BS in Agricultural Communications and MS in Vocational Education at the University of Kentucky. She homeschools her two daughters and loves to read.
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