Sheep Industry News February 2024

Animal Health Hears Research Advances CAT URBIGKIT A s usual, the meeting of the Animal Health Committee drew a large audience to learn about a variety of topics of importance to sheep operations. traps and consumes the developing worm larvae and is effec tive against multiple worm species and resistance worms. The product is available through select feeds mills, veterinarians, and Premier 1 Supplies.

Burke explained that one research project is examining mix ing BioWorma into a trace mineral mix, which was stored for seven days and then fed to the sheep. The project demonstrated that it works in the mineral mix, but producers are cautioned to not leave it in the mineral too long, or to allow the mineral to get wet. Burke suggested that when considering using BioWorma, the costs are from .20 to .60 cents per 100-pound animal per day. She said it is imperative that producers use the fungus strategi cally based on the biology of the worm and the risk of worm infection in an animal, noting that peri-parturient dams and young animals are the most susceptible to worms. Burke recommends using this parasite control method alongside resistant genetics, good nutrition and good pasture management to minimize worms on pasture. PREVENTATIVE PRODUCTS Committee Co-Chair Dr. Cindy Wolf provided an overview of the process of bringing more preventative products (vac cines) to market, noting that the first step is for the industry to show a need for a product. Participation in studies like the NAHMS sheep survey help to define the need for specific vac cines to address issues impacting the sheep industry. The indus try also has to convince and work with vaccine manufacturers in development of vaccines. With warming of the environment, American sheep flocks might experience more bluetongue outbreaks, Wolf warned, as the virus is spread by biting midges. Wolf laid out her view of future vaccine needs, including those that address a combination of abortion-causing patho gens as well as vaccines to combat virulent footrot, scald, multiple serotypes of bluetongue, Cache Valley Virus, species specific respiratory vaccine and perhaps even an anti-internal parasite vaccine. Wolf noted that there should be a commercial ly available vaccine for Cache Valley Virus within the next year. JOHNE’S DISEASE Recently a sheep flock preparing to enter public lands in California was asked to test for Ovine Johne’s Disease prior to grazing, according to Dr. Roșie Busch of University of California-Davis. While Johne’s disease has been present in the See Animal Health on Page 29

Dr. Natalie Urie of the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service presented an update on the National Animal Health Monitoring System sheep study, which kicked into action with written surveys across the country last month, and will contin ue with collection of fecal, blood and interdigital swab collec tion during farm and ranch visits from March through August. The study aims to give a snapshot of current health and man agement practices on American sheep operations. Participation is voluntary, and sheep producers who participate will receive confidential and free results back from the biological testing conducted on their animals. Testing will examine parasite bur dens, fecal microbes and lameness pathogens. SCRAPIE Dr. Diane Sutton of USDA’s Veterinary Services Small Ru minant Health Center provided an update on scrapie, which has been subject to an eradication program for nearly 70 years. Sutton noted that there have been no scrapie cases in sheep in the United States in seven years. “While we’re nearing the finish line, there is still work to do,” Sutton said, with continued surveillance and traceback neces sary to ensure the disease is eradicated in the country. Sutton suggested that if a producer has a sheep aged from 2 to 6 years range that dies, contact your nearest VS office for a whole head box to aid in the surveillance effort. There is no charge for the collection or testing of the samples for scrapie. PARASITE CONTROL USDA Animal Research Service scientist Dr. Joan Burke of the Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center in Booneville, Ark., provided an overview of the efficient use of BioWorma for small ruminant parasite control. Internal parasites (strongyle worms) are the number-one problem in the sheep industry throughout the world, Burke explained. Worldwide, dewormers are proving to no longer be effective, and with no new products on the horizon and multi-drug resistance widespread, alterna tives are needed, so BioWorma has been increasingly studied. BioWorma is a feed additive used to control the spread of parasitic larvae in the pasture. It’s a nematode-trapping fungus, so the fungal spores are fed in feed supplement and passed through the feces with no effect to the animal. The fungus

February 2024 • Sheep Industry News • 19