FAMACHA Tests Show Fecal Egg Counts Down

Fecal egg counts on Wild Wind Farm are best determined by use of the FAMACHA test. But studies conducted by the Western Maryland Pasture Performance Test show that egg counts used by the same FAMACHA test are down this year as compared with past years.

Many reasons could be behind this decline, such as warmer temperatures, less rain in drier spots, better treatment, etc. Unfortunately, this is not an indication of what the future holds for the Barber Pole Worm or other parasites found in goat and sheep feces.

Susan Schoenian of the Western Maryland Agricultural Center in Keedysville, Maryland has conducted extensive research around this issue and data on her findings can be followed at one of two blogs she writes: Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test and Shepherd's Notebook.

Wanna buy a goat?

It's coming! The 2nd Annual Western Maryland Goat Field Day and Sale will be held Saturday, October 3, 2009, at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center (fairgrounds) near Boonsboro, Maryland.

This is always a fun event, with a morning youth skill-a-thon, testing young farmer's knowledge of dairy, fiber and meat goats.

The skill-a-thon starts at 9 am and the auction bidding starts at 10 am.

Of note this year is Dr. Richard Browning, a research animal scientist from Tennessee State University. Dr. Browning is conducting a multi-year breed evaluation study, comparing Boer, Kiko, and Spanish goats and their reciprocal crosses.

Read more about the event.

Monkey as Goat-Herder?

This is a great story from National Geographic about a monkey who herds the goats on a farm in India.

See the video here.

The biggest issue on Wild Wind Farm is when younger goats get their heads stuck between the wires of the fences. It is hard to be there 24 hours a day to monitor. But how great would it be to have a monkey to serve as their shepherd and remind them that the grass, weeds or brush on the other side of the fence is no greener than the pasture in which they are grazing? Priceless.