Project Number: 6227-21310-008-31
Project Type: Reimbursable

Start Date: Sep 30, 2005
End Date: Sep 29, 2008

Objective:
The objectives of this cooperative research project are to 1) Increase level of awareness and adoption of available organic GIN control strategies in the southeastern US by disseminating state-of-the-art knowledge and procedures and conduct cost-benefit analyses of these systems; 2) Examine the effectiveness and efficiency of managing H. contortus in weaned lambs and kids by grazing high nutritional value forages and/or Sericea lespedeza or other tannin-rich forages with and without rotational grazing strategies for control of H. contortus; and 3) Test novel methods and/or integrated strategies for control of H. contortus.

Approach:
1) Small plot grazing trials with tannin-containing plants will be established for goats and/or sheep during year 1 of the project. Percentage of available forage consumed will be determined and forage samples taken for quality analyses, extractable and bound CT, and tested for anti-parasitic efficacy using larval development/migration inhibition and egg hatch assays. 2) Dose titration trials feeding Sericea lespedeza hay, pellets, or cubes to determine optimal concentration of SL to include in the diet for control of H. contortus. Fecal cultures will be prepared to determine percent egg hatch, and larval migration assays to determine activity of developed larvae. Abomasal and intestinal numbers and genus of adult worms will be determined. Use of tannin-rich plants for parasite control will be integrated with smart drenching concepts and FAMACHA at each research site. 3) On-farm trials to evaluate the establishment and use of tannin-rich plants (grazing and processed) with integrated control methods for parasite control in sheep and goats will be conducted. Cost-benefit analyses will be completed for each integrated system to determine impact on profitability of sheep and goat farming operations.