1. Extension’s Role
in Parasite Control
SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Sheep & Goat Specialist
University of Maryland Extension
DR. NIKI WHITLEY
Extension Animal Science Specialist
North Carolina A&T State University

2. Cooperative Extension
Connects research and knowledge of land grant university to public
Teaching
Morrill Act
1862, 1890, 1994
Extension
Smith-Lever Act
1914
Research
Hatch Act
1887
Land grant university system

3. Internal parasitism
• Primary health
problem affecting
small ruminants in
most regions of the
United States.
• According to NAHMS
• 9.6% of sheep losses
> 14% in Eastern U.S.
• Primary cause of death in
goats, more than 3x next
three leading causes.

4. Internal parasitism
• Traditional method of
control has been to
administer
anthelmintics
(dewormers).
• Worms have developed
varying degrees of
resistant to
anthelmintics in all
three chemical classes.

5. • A group of scientists,
veterinarians, and extension
specialists whose mission is to
1) Develop novel methods of
sustainable control of
gastrointestinal nematodes in
small ruminants; and
2) Educate stakeholders in the
small ruminant industry on the
most up-to-date methods and
recommendations for small
ruminant parasite control.
Southern Consortium for Small
Ruminant Parasite Control
• Established in 2003 to
address the growing
problem of anthelmintic
resistance in the small
ruminant industry.
American

6. American Consortium for Small
Ruminant Parasite Control
1. Since 2003, Consortium
members have received
grant funds in excess of
$3.5 million to support
mission of consortium.
a) Research
 Document anthelmintic
resistance
 Validate FAMACHA© system for
use in United States
 Novel methods of parasite
control
• Copper oxide wire particles
• Sericea lespedeza
b) Extension (outreach) is an
important component of all
grant-funded projects.

7. Web site established in 2004
scsrpc.org acsrpc.orgwormx.orgcontrolworms.orgwormcontrol.org

8. Timely topics (monthly)

9. Information and research pertaining
to sustainable GI parasite control

10. Certified FAMACHA© Instructors

11. FAMACHA© Workshops

12. Train-the-trainer curriculum

13. FAMACHA© Workshops
SmartDrenching,IntegratedParasiteManagement(IPM)
• At the core of
consortium’s
outreach effort.
• First workshops
held in 2003.
• 29,000 FAMACHA©
cards sold since 2003.
• More than 40 states
• Caribbean, Latin America

14. Workshop impacts
• Two formal
evaluations
since 2003.
1. Northeast (n=70)
2. Midwest
Southern (n=729)
• Mailed and
internet surveys

15. Workshop impacts
91%
78%
76%
95%
74% 75%
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
100
Using FAMACHA Deworming less Saving money
2004 2009

16. Future extension role
• More workshops
• More states
• Camelid producers
• Online training
• Producers
• Veterinarians
• Animal health
professionals
• Students

17. Thank you for your attention.
Do you have
any questions
or comments?