Public Interest: April 2009 Archives

Please Note that Space is Limited to the first 20 people who pre-register by phone for each session. 

Sheep and goat producers in East Texas are extremely aware of the constant need to monitor internal parasite problems in their herd. De-worming the herd using anthelmetics is a time consuming and expensive procedure. Strategically de-worming, an integrated pest management approach to fighting internal parasites, allows producers to save money by only using these chemicals when a problem exists in the herd or flock. Frequent de-worming with the same medication over and over again can lead to the build-up of resistant parasite populations on the farm. Two strategies employed by these producers to help delay parasite resistance are the FAMACHA technique and conducting fecal egg counts from animals within the herd.

Last summer, the East Texas Farm and Ranch Club and the Smith County Extension office hosted a FAMACHA training that was attended by over 70 producers.

This spring, the Tyler Junior College Ag Club will be joining these two groups in hosting an Internal Parasite Fecal Egg Count training for sheep and goat producers on May 21 on the campus of Tyler Junior College.

To accommodate both full and part-time ranchers, there will be a session offered from 2 PM until 4 PM, and a session offered from 6 PM until 8 PM. Each session will offer a hands-on opportunity for producers to learn how to identify parasite eggs in fecal samples using microscopes and learn the economic thresholds of egg numbers required before de-worming is necessary.

Cost is $10 per person (or couple) to attend the training, and each session is limited to the first 20 who pre-register by telephone to the Smith County Extension (903) 590 - 2980 office by May 19. Participants are asked to bring fecal samples from their own sheep/goat herd to use during the hands-on portion of the training. Location on the Tyler Junior College campus and parking information will be provided to participants as they register for the event.

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.

Texas AgriLife Extension Service in Smith County, in conjunction with the Natural Resources Conservation Service, and Texas Parks and Wildlife will be holding a Recreational Pond Management Seminar on Tuesday, May 12, at the TPWD Nature Center in Tyler beginning at 6:30 PM. Pond owners and persons considering pond construction are encouraged to attend this FREE event.

The Smith County Extension office, area veterinarians and community volunteer groups will be conducting the annual Smith County dog and cat rabies vaccination clinics at 19 locations from April 27 - May 4. The clinics are conducted during the time of year when the spread of rabies through skunk activity is the most common. The most common carriers of rabies in our area are skunks, bats, and foxes. It is possible for your dog or cat to be bitten by a bat or skunk without you being aware of the injury.

In addition to Smith County, the cities of Lindale, Tyler, Whitehouse, and Winona require that all dogs and cats be vaccinated against rabies annually. Vaccinating your animals is some of the cheapest protection that you can provide your pets and family members. Through the cooperation of local veterinarians and volunteers, individuals can get their pets vaccinated for $8 per animal.

Pet owners are encouraged to bring correct change to the clinic. It is also necessary that all pet owners provide volunteer workers with their current address and phone number so that the certificates of vaccination can be completed. These certificates will be good for one year. Please check the following dates for the clinic closest to you.

Monday, April 27, 7:00 p.m. - Bullard High School Ag Shop, Mt. Sylvan Community Center, and Winona High School Ag Shop.

Tuesday, April 28, 7:00 p.m. - Chapel Hill High School bus loop, Noonday Community Center, Overton High School Ag Shop, Pine Springs Community Center, Providence Community Center, Red Springs Volunteer Fire Department, and Troup High School Ag Shop.

Wednesday, April 29, 7:00 p.m. - Tyler - Humane Society of East Texas (1823 CR 386), and Whitehouse High School (covered pavilion across from school).

Thursday, April 30, 7:00 p.m. - Jackson Volunteer Fire Department, Lindale High School Ag Shop, New Harmony Community Center, and Sandflat (Antioch Baptist Church - west of Hwy. 14 and Sandflat Road).

Saturday, May 2, 2:00 p.m. - Tyler - Colonial Hills Baptist Church (South Broadway), and Tyler - John Tyler High School parking lot.

Monday, May 4, 7:00 p.m. - Arp Junior High Cafeteria (outside).

For more information about these clinics please contact the Smith County Extension office at (903) 590-2980. 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.