FAMACHA, a technique for strategically de-worming, is being adopted by sheep and goat raisers in order to delay the development of resistence of the internal parasite Haemonchus contortus to antihelmetics.
FAMACHA requires frequent handling of all the animals in the flock in order to examine the inside of the eyelid for signs of anemia. Anemic animals are often infested with Haemonchus and are in need of de-worming. Non-anemic animals are skipped during the de-worming cycle, saving the producer money and helping extend the useful life of the de-wormer in the flock.
The East Texas Farm & Ranch Club, in conjunction with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service is offering a FAMACHA training on Tuesday, July 1, beginning at 5:30 PM in the Activities Building on the East Texas State Fairgrounds in Tyler (2112 West Front Street).
The training will be conducted by Dr. Frank Craddock, Extension Sheep and Goat Specialist from San Angelo, and will include both indoor and outdoor hands-on components.
Cost is $20 per person or $25 per couple, which includes the evening meal and the FAMACHA chart and training materials. Pre-registration by June 27 is requested by calling 903-597-2501. Persons with special needs are asked to call at least 5 days in advance so that accommodations can be made.
Educational programs sponsored by Texas AgriLife Extension Service are open to all people without regard to race, color, sex, religion, disability, age or national origin.
For more information on FAMACHA, visit the following web site.
For directions to the East Texas State Fairgrounds in Tyler, visit their web site.
