PRINCESS ANNE, MD-(February 17, 2020)-“Be Smart, Drench Smart” is the theme of a small ruminant integrated parasite management workshop at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore sponsored by Future Harvest Chesapeake Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture and the UMES Extension program. Originally slated for March 26, the event has been postponed until further notice due to university guidelines for the threat of COVID-19.
When rescheduled, the all-day event will take place from 9:30 a.m.-2 p.m. in the UMES Swine Research Facility on Vaughn Road in Princess Anne. The morning session serves as an introduction to a hands-on training session in the afternoon. Participants will learn about gastrointestinal parasites that badger sheep and goats, anthelmintic resistance, practices to manage parasite burdens and how to properly use the FAMACHA© score card, a tool to identify and monitor parasite burdens. In the afternoon training session, attendees will receive hands-on instruction for certification on the use of the FAMACHA© score card and learn to how to collect fecal samples for further fecal egg counts.
Dr. E. Nelson Escobar, an assistant professor, small ruminant specialist and interim associate administrator for UMES Extension, is the instructor for the workshop. His interest in small ruminants began as a graduate student at the University of Maryland, College Park and has expanded through work at UMES and in Texas and Oklahoma with dairy, meat and fiber goats.
Registration is $40 for individuals and $55 for a family (two members). Register by visiting Eventbrite. Future Harvest’s Beginner Farmer Training Program trainees may sign up at a discounted rate of $30 by contacting Niamh Short, field school director, Future Harvest CASA, at niamh@futureharvestcasa.org.
Gail Stephens, agricultural communications and media associate, School of Agricultural & Natural Sciences, 410-621-3850, gcstephens@umes.edu.
UMES Extension programs are open to all citizens without regard to race, color, gender, disability, religion, age, sexual orientation, martial or parental status, or national origin.
