Gastro-Intestinal (G.I.) Parasite Workshops

The Alabama Cooperative Extension System at Alabama A&M University offers a series of free gastro-intestinal parasite identification and FAMACHA training workshops. The Goat and Sheep Producers of Alabama (GSPA) co-sponsor the workshops. The workshops are conducted at the beginning of the grazing season, early spring, because the spring season is the time when gastrointestinal parasite infections are more prevalent. The objective of these workshops is to educate extension agents, farmers, veterinarian practitioners and others interested individuals on small ruminant production, gastro-intestinal parasites (worms) life-cycle, the consequences of parasite-host interactions, and the mode of action of dewormers. The workshops inform producers about the risks and nature of gastrointestinal parasite infections in an effort to reduce the likelihood of infections. In addition, presentations on FDA-approved and non FDA-approved products are delivered, and most importantly, training is provided to producers to minimize the use of chemicals in the control of G.I. parasites. Producers learn alternative methods of herd management to help minimize G.I. parasite infections in their herds. In addition, FAMACHA training is provided at the workshops. The FAMACHA test is a test developed by South African scientists and is a management tool used to control barber pole worm infection of sheep and goats.