First pooled fecal sample

The first pooled fecal sample was collected on June 3-4 from random goats from each consigner.  The pooled sample was sent via overnite mail to Dr. Ray Kaplan's lab at the University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine-Department of Infectious Diseases.

The pooled fecal egg count was 350 epg, less than the average fecal egg count from the individual goats (734 epg). The eggs were hatched so that the strongyle-type worms could be identified from the larvae.

A few of the bucks

Eighty-one percent (81) of the strongyle-type eggs in the pooled sample were Haemonchus contortus.  Nineteen (19) percent of the eggs were Trichostrongylus.

The common name for Haemonchus contortus is the barber pole worm. In other countries, it is sometimes called the wire worm or large stomach worm.  The barber pole worm is a blood-sucking parasite that causes anemia (blood and protein loss) and bottle jaw (edema).  Left unchecked, it can quickly kill young goats.

The female barber pole worm is a prolific egg layer. 2,000 eggs per gram is considered clinically significant, though clinical parasitism may occur at lower levels, under certain circumstances and among certain animals.

Trichostrongylus spp. is in the same genus as the barber pole worm, but it is less deadly.  Light infections may result in unthriftiness and dagginess (scours). High levels of infections can result in rapid weight loss, dehydration, and death.

Trichostrongylus is more often part of a mixed parasitic infection.  The level at which egg counts are considered clinically significant may be less than 500 epg, as the worm is not nearly as prolific as its cousin, the barber pole worm.

Taking a rest

The pooled sample contained a moderate amount (3+) of coccidia oocytes. Tricuris (whipworm) eggs were also identified in the pooled sample. The goats were treated for coccidiosis during the first five days of the test.  Their mineral mix contains a coccidiostat (Rumensin©).

Coccidia oocyte counts are of limited value.  This is because not all coccidia are pathogenic or have the sample level of pathogenicity.  In addition, a goat may become clinically parasitized before shedding any oocytes. Diagnosis of coccidiosis should be based primarily upon clinical signs and history.

Read article about coccidiosis

Goats maintain weight

For the first 14 days of the test, the goats essentially maintained their weight.  Weight gain (loss) ranged from -9 to +7 lbs. among the 80 goats and averaged +0.58 lbs. (1.3 kg).  Average daily gain (ADG) was 0.04 lbs. per day (18.1 g/d).

The top-gaining goat for the period was a Savanna x Spanish buck consigned by Janet & Stephen Garrett (Virginia). It gained 7 lbs. or 0.54 lbs. per day.  One of Mike and Lorie Renick's (West Virginia) Kiko bucks gained 5 lbs. or 0.38 lbs. per day.

Mike and Lorie Renick from West Virginia

FAMACHA© and dag scores improved considerably from two weeks ago.  FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 3 and averaged 1.74, compared to 2.11 on June 10.  No goats required anthelmintic treatment. This was expected as the goats were dewormed with two anthelmintics on June 10.

The improvement in FAMACHA© scores, especially in individual goats, would indicate that the double-deworming was effective. Fecal egg counts from today will quantify the effectiveness of the double-deworming.

Scours
Dag scores ranged from 0 to 4 and averaged 0.65, compared to 0.89 on June 10.  Many of the goats with positive dag scores had dry feces, which indicates that they are over their scouring (diarrhea).  There were only a few new cases of scouring.

Unless it has an infectious or parasitic cause, scours are usually self-limiting and will go away without treatment. They are most likely a result of stress and adaptation to a new diet. The consistency of the feces is also affected by the moisture in the forage.

Body condition scores improved slightly, especially among individual goats, while coat condition scores remained the same. Coat condition was difficult to assess due to the goats' wet coats.  It rained before the goats were worked.

Good grazing conditions

Good grazing
Pasture conditions are good. After working, the goats were given access to two acres of cool season grasses, a mostly "clean" pasture that has not been grazed since last summer.  

The pearl millet is coming up nicely.  The chicory field was recently mowed and should have adequate moisture to re-grow. Last year, due to the drought, the two-acre chicory paddock was never able to rebound after being mowed prior to the start of the test, whereas the pearl millet provide several weeks of valuable grazing.

This year's test has additional two and a half acres of pasture available for grazing.  The pasture consists of cool season grasses amongst tree plantings:  walnut trees and mixed hardwoods. This will be the pasture of choice if/when the test experiences prolonged periods of extremely, hot humid weather.

Penned goats
The goats in the pen enjoy good comfort under a tree and in their well-ventilated shelter.  However, they've depleted their pen of grass and probably long for some green vegetation. They have free access to hay and are fed grain (pellets) in the evening:  as much as they'll eat in a 20-minute period.

A contrast of production systems:  pen vs. pasture

The data collected on the penned goats was similar to the goats in the pasture test. Weight gain (loss)  ranged from -5 to + 5 lbs. and averaged -0.4 lbs. (0.88 kg). Average daily gain was -0.03 lbs. per day (13.6 g/d).  So far, the weights of the penned goats have varied widely.  Weight gain seemed unrealistically high (+6 lbs.) during the six-day adjustment period, whereas the goats' failure to gain weight in the previous 13-day period is perplexing.

FAMACHA© and body condition scores were similar to the goats in the pasture test. The penned goats have had less problems with scouring. The goats are cleaner and more docile.

The goats will be worked next on July 7.  In addition to the usual work, a pooled fecal sample will be collected. The test still awaits the results of the first fecal coproculture.

Download June 23 report

Incoming fecal egg counts

Individual fecal samples were collected from each goat on June 10, the official starting date of the test. Unfortunately, it was not possible to collect samples from 11 goats, due to their liquid feces.  The samples were sent via overnite mail to Delaware State University.  Fecal egg counts were determined using a modified McMaster procedure.

For the goats on the pasture test, fecal egg counts (FECs) ranged from 0 to 5,675 eggs per gram of feces (EPG) and averaged 734 epg. This is similar to last year, when incoming fecal egg counts ranged from 0 to 7,000 and averaged 682 epg.  For the goats in the pen, egg counts ranged from 0 to 1,200 epg and averaged 612 epg. For the pooled fecal sample that was collected on June 3-4, fecal egg count was determined to be 350 epg. 

 Fecal egg counts include eggs from strongyle-type worms:  Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm), Trichostrongyles spp., and Teladorsagia sp. It is not possible to differentiate the stronglye-type worms (except Nematodirus sp.) from the egg stage.  The pooled sample also included some Tricuris (whipworm) eggs and a "moderate" amount of coccidia oocytes.

Kiko x Spanish

In the test, fecal egg counts are NOT used to make deworming decisions.  They are used to determine genetic differences in parasite resistance among the bucks on test.  Parasite resistance is a moderately heritable trait.

It is estimated that 20 percent of the animals in a herd are responsible for shedding 80 percent of the worm eggs onto pasture. The goal should be to eliminate the heavy egg shedders from the herd. It is very important to use bucks that are more resistant to internal parasites than the average goat.

Parasite resistance (FECs) and resilience (FAMACHA) are not the same traits, though they are often correlated.  In other words, it is quite possible for a goat to have a low egg count, yet require deworming (based on clinical symptoms) and vice-versa.  Consider a goat that is loaded with L4 immature worms, but not adult worms.  L4s suck blood but do not lay eggs.

Download updated June 10 report with FEC data

Free choice minerals

While on test, all of the goats, including those in the pen, will have free choice access to Sweetlix 16:8 Meat Maker® with Rumensin® via two mineral feeders in the central laneway of the pasture and one mineral feeder in the pen.

Guaranteed analysis:
Calcium (min) . . . 14.00%
Calcium (max) . . . 16.80%
Phosphorus (min) . . . 8.00%
Salt (min) . . . 10.00%
Salt (max) . . . 12.00%
Magnesium (min) . . . 1.50%
Potassium (min) . . . 1.50%
Iron (min) . . . 1.25%
Manganese (min) . . . 1.25%
Zinc (min) . . . 1.25%
Cobalt (min) . . . 240 ppm
Copper (min) . . . 1,750 ppm
Copper (max) . . . 1,810 ppm
Iodine (min) . . . 450 ppm
Selenium (min) . . . 50 ppm
Vitamin A (min) . . . 300,000 IU/lb
Vitamin D-3 (min) . . . 30,000 IU/lb.
Vitamin E (min) . . . 400 IU/lb.

Monensin sodium (Rumensin®) is included at a rate of 960 g/ton.  Each pound of mineral contains 480 mg of the drug.  Rumensin aids in the prevention of coccidiosis caused by Eimeria crandalis, Eimeria christenseni, and Eimeria ninakohlyakimovae. 

Mineral feeder located in central laneway

The unit cost of the mineral was $20.95/25. lb. bag. The mineral was obtained from Animal Medic Inc., Manchester, PA. Last year, Sweetlix Livestock Supplements (North Carolina) provided minerals for half of the duration of the test.  Their support was greatly appreciated.

Start of test

The 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test officially started on Friday, June 10. The goats were worked by Jeff Semler, Mary Beth Bennett, Jeanne Dietz-Band, and Susan Schoenian.  Data were recorded by Pam Thomas.

The 80 test goats were weighed by Jeff Semler. Starting weights ranged from 28 to 70 lbs. and averaged 42.4 lbs. (19.3 kg).  During the adjustment period the goats gained an average of 1.4 lbs.  Weight gain/loss ranged from -4.0 to +6.0 lbs. During the adjustment period, the goats grazed in a 2-acre paddock of orchardgrass and MaxQ™ tall fescue.

Some of the goats tackling thistle.

FAMACHA© scores, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores were determined by Susan Schoenian.  FAMACHA© scores ranged from 1 to 5 and averaged 2.18, compared to 1.89 on June 3-4.  Body condition scores ranged from 1.5 to 3.5 and averaged 2.17, compared to 2.11 on June 3-4.  Coat condition scores ranged from 2 to 2.5 and averaged 2.1, unchanged from a week ago.

Daggy goats
The scores that showed the most dramatic change were dag scores. They ranged from 0 to 4 (scale = 0-5) and averaged 0.68, compared to almost zero (0.06) a week ago.  Thirty-five goats (44 percent) showed some evidence of scouring.  The higher dag scores are likely the result of stress and a new diet. As a precaution, those with the highest dag scores were treated with Spectinomycin (Scour-Halt).

All of the bucks, regardless of FAMACHA© scores, were dewormed (by Susan Schoenian) with moxidectin (Cydectin® sheep drench @ 2 ml/11 lbs.) and levamisole (Prohibit® sheep drench @ 3 ml/50 lbs.). The purpose of deworming the goats with anthelmintics from two different chemical families is to clear the worms out of their systems, so that the bucks start the test equally from the standpoint of internal parasite infection.

Drenching a goat

An individual fecal sample was collected from the rectum of each goat.  Samples could not be collected from some goats, due to their mostly liquid feces.  The samples have been sent to Dr. Dahlia O'Brien's lab at Delaware State University.

Individual fecal egg counts (FECs) will be determined using the Modified McMaster procedure. Fecal egg counts on June 23 will be used to measure the effectiveness of the double deworming and will be the first fecal counts to factor into the evaluation of each goat.

The pooled fecal sample collected on June 3-4 will be used to determine the types of internal parasites that were present at the time the goats arrived to the test site. This procedure, which hatches the worm eggs, takes several weeks. The next pooled sample will be collected on June 23.  In previous years, the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus) has comprised the majority of worm infection (over 80 percent).

Hanging out in the shed (still needs roof).

Pen-fed goats
The starting weights of the goats for pen-feeding ranged from 38 to 61 lbs. and averaged 42.8 lbs. (19.5 kg).  The goats in the pen will always have free access to grass hay. They will be fed grain once per day.  The feeders will be removed after about 20 minutes.  The eleven goats were slowly introduced to grain during the adjustment period.

 Download June 10 report

80 bucks accepted for ’11 test

Eighty bucklings of various breeds and breed crosses were delivered to the test site of the 2011 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test on June 1-4. It is the 6th year of the test and the most bucks ever put on test. An additional 11 bucks were brought for pen-feeding and carcass evaluation.

The goats were worked on June 3 and 4 by Susan Schoenian, Jeff Semler, David Gordon, Dr. Nelson Escobar, Dr. Dahlia O’Brien, Kevin Beaudoin and Kwame Matthews.  After standing in a foot bath of zinc sulfate for at least 10 minutes, the goats were weighed, and FAMACHA©, body condition, coat condition, and dag scores were determined.

Weighing goats on June 4
Kevin Beaudoin (L) and Dr. Dahlia O'Brien (R)

Data
This year’s 80 test bucks ranged in weight from 29 to 69 lbs. and averaged 40.9 lbs. The 11 bucks for pen feeding ranged in weight from 31 to 51 lbs. and averaged 36.8 lbs.  Starting weights for the test will be determined on June 10. The first six days serve as an adjustment period for the goats, many of whom were in transport for more than 10 hours.

FAMACHA© scores for the test goats ranged from 1 to 5 and averaged 1.89. FAMACHA© scores for the pen feeding goats ranged from 1 to 5 and averaged 1.86. Only goats having FAMACHA© scores of 3 or greater were dewormed with moxidectin (Cydectin© sheep drench @ 2 ml/11 lbs.).

The goats ranged in body condition from 1.5 to 3 and averaged 2.1. In goats, body condition is rated on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being emaciated, 3 being average, and 5 being fat. It is assessed by feeling the backbone, ribs, and loin of the goat. The individual body condition scores are not as important as the changes (in scores) from week to week. Loss of body condition can be an indication of worm infestation or other disease problems.

Coat condition scores ranged from 1.5 to 2.5 and averaged 2.1. A scale of 1 to 3 is used to assess coat condition.  Dag scores averaged 0, as few goats showed any signs of scouring.  A scale of 0 to 5 is used to assess scouring, with 0 meaning no evidence of scouring or fecal soiling. While scouring is very often an effect of diet, it can also be a sign of internal parasitism. The barber pole worm does not usually cause scouring, but other strongyle-type worms do.

Kiko buck from Kentucky

FAMACHA©, body condition, and dag scores are all subjective scores assessed to determine the need for individual deworming. Along with bottle jaw, they are part of South Africa’s Five Point Check©, a new decision-making tool for parasite control. Coat condition can also be an indication of the goat’s overall health and well-being and has been added to the Five Point Check©. To reduce the subjectivity of scores, scoring is almost always done by the same person.

Internal parasites
On  June 3-4, a pooled fecal sample was collected from random goats from  each consigner. The pooled sample has been sent to Dr. Ray Kaplan’s  lab at the University of Georgia, where it will be analyzed to determine which kinds of internal parasites  were present in the goats upon their arrival to the test site.

It  is easy to differentiate the eggs of roundworms from eggs of tapeworms or  coccidia oocytes, but not between the different species of roundworms (strongyle-type). The worm eggs must be hatched and the species are  identified from their larvae. A fecal egg count will also be calculated from the pooled sample.

On June 10, the goats  will be treated with anthelmintics from two different chemical classes:   moxidectin (Cydectin ®sheep drench @ 2 ml/11 lbs.) and levamisole  (Prohibit® sheep drench @ 3 ml/50 lbs.). In previous years, deworming with moxidectin and levamisole has reduced fecal  egg counts by 95% or more.

However, last year’s treatments with  moxidectin and albendazole (Valbazen®) only reduced incoming fecal egg  counts by 35 percent. This resulted in some early parasite problems,  including the loss of one parasitized goat that failed to respond to  treatment with anthelmintics from all three anthelmintic classes.

Savanna cross buck from Virginia

It  is assumed that the test goats have varying degrees of resistance to  the various anthelmintics. At same point, it may be necessary to treat  the incoming goats with three anthelmintics. Fecal egg counts on June 23  will provide a measure of the effectiveness of the June 10 dual  treatment.

Parasite challenge
In order to  compare the goats for parasite resistance and resilience, it is  essential that the goats start the test equally (relatively parasite-free). In past tests, the  goats were dewormed upon their arrival. This year, only the goats requiring  treatment were dewormed.

This has allowed the goats to  contaminate one of the 2-acre paddocks with worm larvae during the  adjustment period. In fact, this cool season grass paddock will be  managed to provide a continuous source of parasite infection.

In  order to compare the parasite resistance and resilience of the goats,  there must be a sufficient disease challenge. Last year’s extreme heat  and drought conditions did not allow for a good comparison. Most of the  goats never had high egg counts or required treatment with an  anthelmintic. Hopefully, this year’s test will receive enough moisture  to allow the parasites to thrive and challenge the goats.

Boer bucks from Maryland

Pasture
Many of the paddocks were mowed a week or two before the goats were delivered to the test site. Rainfall was plentiful this spring, so there should be adequate moisture for re-growth. Dwarf pearl millet, a warm season annual, has been planted in a two acre paddock.

There is also a two acre paddock of chicory that will probably be renovated after this year’s test, due to high levels of thistle. One acre of pasture was left unmanaged, as the goats often favor uncultivated plant species. The balance of the pasture is cool season grasses:  orchardgrass and MaxQ™ tall fescue.

This year, the test will include an additional 2.5 acres of grazing land. The sixth paddock contains walnut trees and a younger stand of mixed hardwoods. The forages in this wooded pasture are cool season grasses.

Pen feeding
The pen-fed goats will be slowly introduced to a grain diet. They will always have access to hay. It shouldn’t take long for them to graze down the grass in their pen. The goats on-feed will be worked on the same schedule as the pasture test goats. The same data will be collected, though the pen feeding isn’t meant to provide a comparison of performance between the two feeding and management systems.

Pen for feeding goats

The purpose of pen feeding is to create a contemporary set of goats whose carcasses can be fairly compared. The goal is to compare the carcass yield and meat quality of goats fed grain (and hay) vs. those consuming a pasture-only diet.  The pasture test goats will not be fed anything additional unless drought conditions necessitate the feeding of nutritional tubs and/or dry hay.

Special thanks
Special thanks is extended to everyone who helped work the goats on June 3 and 4; to those consigners who provided extra goats for pen feeding and carcass evaluation; and to Jeff Semler and Dave Wyand for building the pen and shelter for pen feeding.

Download June 4 report