Project Number: 6227-21310-008-36
Project Type: Specific Cooperative Agreement

Start Date: Oct 01, 2005
End Date: Sep 14, 2008

Objective:
The objective of this cooperative research project is 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) To 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) Producer and advisor workshops on awareness and adoption of organic GIN control strategies will be initiated. Producers will be educated on acceptable organic parasite control strategies that combine grazing strategies, resistant breeds, multi-species grazing, selective treatment based on FAMACHA, and other novel, non-chemical control technologies as they are proven effective. 2) Dose titration trials will be conducted on 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. 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. 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 goats will be conducted.