Impact

Penn State Extension offering 'Wormy Deal Workshop' for sheep, goat producers

This workshop will help producers identify animals with high levels of the barberpole worm. This worm causes major problems in sheep and goat flocks across the state.  Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Sheep and goat producers can learn how to better manage internal parasites at the “It’s a Wormy Deal” Workshop that will be held from 7-9 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 20, at the Mercer County Penn State Extension Office in Mercer. 

Featured topics include an overview of the internal parasite life cycle and techniques to prevent parasite infection. The workshop also will include information on how to use FAMACHA to assess anemia levels in sheep and goats. FAMACHA is the acronym for a system named for its originator, South African livestock parasitologist Francois "Faffa" Malan, that uses an eye-color chart developed as a guide to identify anemia, a symptom of parasite infection. The FAMACHA score allows producers to determine the need to treat individual animals. 

Producers will demonstrate the procedure as part of the workshop. Sheep and goat producers also can meet Camren Maierle, the new extension educator for Mercer County, at the event.

“FAMACHA scoring is a great way to identify animals with high levels of the barberpole worm,” said Melanie Barkley, Penn State Extension educator and speaker for the event. “This worm causes major problems in sheep and goat flocks across the state. The FAMACHA procedure also helps to slow resistance development to deworming products.” 

The cost to attend the meeting is $25, which includes handout materials, refreshments and a FAMACHA card. Registration is requested by Oct.18. To register for the meeting, call 877-345-0691 or go to the website. Registration is limited to 50 people for the workshop. 

The Penn State Extension Office in Mercer County is located at 463 N. Perry Highway in Mercer. For more information about the workshop, contact Camren Maierle at 724-662-3141 or Melanie Barkley at 814-623-4800, or email meh7@psu.edu.

About Penn State Extension 

Penn State Extension is dedicated to translating scientific research into real-world applications to drive progress. In support of Penn State's land-grant mission, extension programs serve individuals, businesses and communities, while promoting a vibrant food and fiber system, a clean environment, and a healthier population in Pennsylvania and beyond. With support from federal, state and county governments, the organization has a tradition of bringing unbiased information and support to the citizens of Pennsylvania for more than 100 years.

Last Updated September 13, 2021