KHSI Hairald Summer 2007

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DOSCH KATAHDINS Reserve Champion Ewe High Selling Ewe at the Midwest Stud Ram Sale Thanks to Dalton Cheatam for buying her Thanks to Douglas and Betsy Brewer for buying our other ewe . And thanks to Greg McGinnis for purchasing ewe lambs off the farm. We will be taking sheep of the same quality to the KHSI Expo Sale in Fargo, ND in September. Our Midwest and KHSI consignment are all sired by "SONNY" NDS 5553 and are RR. 2nd Place Yearling Ram Top Selling Katahdin at the Midwest Stud Ram Sale Thank you to Howard Covington from Texas for purchasing him. Enrolled in NSIP and the Voluntary Scrapie Program. Tom & Maria Dosh Frederick, SD 605-329-2478 • ewemad@nvc.net www.geocities.com/ewemad Tom & Jody Gunther & Christopher Hecla, SD 605-994-2142 • tjgunther@nvc.net Page 12 The Katahdin Hairald • www.KHSI.org SUMMER 2007
Rotational Grazing and Managing Gastrointestinal Worm Parasites in Sheep By James Morgan, Arkansas Katahdin Producer Editor’s Note – A similar version of this article was previously published in The Shepherd Magazine. In most parts of the US, the significant parasite for sheep is the barber pole worm, Haemonchus contortus, which causes productivity losses and mortality when grazing sheep in moderate to high densities. Risk is greatest in young animals and lactating ewes grazing pastures in mid to late summer when numbers of worm larvae are high. Recently several producers have mentioned that they needed to switch to rotational to solve nematode worm problems in their sheep or goats. So, does rotational grazing decrease parasite load in sheep? Definitive research demonstrating effects of rotational grazing on levels of parasitism in sheep has not been done. It is hard to design an experi- ment where groups of continuously grazing sheep and rotationally grazing sheep receive similar treatments. If nutrition and management are the same, then differences in level of parasitism between the groups can be attributed to the type of grazing system and not to other factors. In the absence of research we can look at the biology of the worm and predict if rotational grazing can reduce barber pole worm losses. Rotational grazing alone will not eliminate parasite risks. Just knowing the time it takes for larvae to hatch and develop to the infective stage suggests that the risk remains high for most rotational grazing systems. Worm larvae hatch and are available for ingestion approximately 2 weeks after the eggs are deposited in the feces on pasture if sufficient moisture is present. These larvae will survive for several weeks or sometimes months if moisture is sufficient. For most rotationally grazed pasture systems and weather condi- tions, maximizing quality and/or quantity of forage requires that the grazing flock be rotated back over the same paddock every 15-35 days. This Round Mountain Katahdins Performance-Based Selection on Pasture Selecting for stock with balanced EPDs and superior Lbs Lamb Weaned Jim Morgan & Teresa Maurer NW AR • 479-444-6075 jlmm@earthlink.net rotational grazing frequency is predicted by many parasitologists to be optimal for ingestion of large numbers of worm larvae by the sheep. During the grazing season, each rotation of the sheep through the paddock at intervals of 15-35 days will lead to increasing numbers of larvae available for ingestion. This repeated cycle leads to continually increasing numbers of worms in the sheep and potentially death: a) ingestion of larvae, b) maturation of more adult worms in the abomasum, c) resulting in more eggs passing into the feces and d) higher numbers of worm larvae in the forage. A key purpose of most rotational grazing or management intensive grazing (MIG) programs is to regulate where and when grazing occurs. Decreased parasite load can be a goal of controlled grazing. Parasitologists have found that 80- 90% of the nematode larvae do not move more than 2–2.5 inches above the soil surface. Managing grazing to minimize sheep eating close to the ground will reduce worm larvae ingestion. Preventing sheep from grazing close to the ground is easier said than done, since the shorter forage is typically more palatable and preferred. Typically, minimizing the amount of forage CONTINUED ON PAGE 14 check out our Breeder Page at www.khsi.org NSIP, SFCP certified scrapie free SUMMER 2007 The Katahdin Hairald • www.KHSI.org Page 13
Page 1 and 2: The Katahdin Hairald Quarterly News
Page 3 and 4: Summer 2007 VOLUME 19 ISSUE 3 Jim M
Page 5 and 6: Katahdin Expo Set for Sept. 20-22 B
Page 7 and 8: Seven Year Export Status Available
Page 9 and 10: BIRTH TYPE, CONTINUED FROM PAGE 6 b
Page 11 and 12: Summer 2007 Hairald Calendar KHSI p
Page 13: These rams are • NSIP enrolled
Page 17 and 18: Classified Ads Classified sale ads
Page 19 and 20: Classified Ads, continued SHEEP FOR
Page 21 and 22: White Post Farm "Top Choice" A Sign
Page 23 and 24: 2007 South Central Katahdin Hair Sh

KHSI Hairald Summer 2007

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