Our Research on the Barber Pole Worm
The Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education(SARE) study aims to develop and implement a winter management protocol for Haemonchus contortus, or barber pole
worm, in northern New England.
Historically considered a problem in the South, the Barber Pole worm has become a major problem in the North. Barber Pole Worm was found on nearly every surveyed sheep or goat farm
in northern New England (greater than 200 farms from 2014-2016).
Barber Pole Worm is a worm that causes numerous clinical problems in sheep.
Symptoms of an Barber Pole Worm infection include:
- pale mucous membranes (anemia)
- depressed, lethargic, and/or uncoordinated behavior
- dehydration
- rough hair coat
- poor body condition
- significantly reduced growth
- reduced reproductive performance
In a more serious infection one will see fluid accumulation in sub-mandibular tissues (bottle jaw as in the picture above), abdomen, thoracic cavity, and gut wall. Diarrhea is not normally associated with barber pole worm infestations but it has been observed in cases of severe infestation. If left untreated, it can lead to death which is why parasite management considerations are critical.
Our past research involved a variety of parasite management techniques that reduce or eliminate dewormer use as means of controlling parasite infestation.
Currently, the techniques we use to manage parasites in our flock are:
- a 7 -8 day pasture rotation schedule with at least 40 days between regrazing
- weekly FAMACHA scoring throughout spring and summer
- Fecal egg count parasite screening to identify individuals with parasite burdens
- deworming only those individuals with high parasite burdens and pale membrane
Research on Sheep Artificial Insemination
Coming Soon!