Controlling internal parasites in goats can be the biggest economic factor in goat production.
Treating whole herds, regardless of infection status, can be costly for farmers ? and can lead to drug-resistant parasite populations.
Deb and Eric Finch, have been raising goats for 16 years near State Center, and currently manage a herd of 125 Boer and Kiko crosses.
Their main focus is direct-marketing meat to recent immigrant communities in central Iowa ? and staying on top of parasite control.
FAMACHA, is a technique that lets farmers easily identify infected animals, and can help farmers more easily manage parasites in their goats.
?Dealing with parasites is our number-one priority to lower costs and keep the goat herd healthy,? Deb says. ?FAMACHA training provides one of the most practical yet simple tools for parasite management in goats.?
Deb and Eric will host a FAMACHA workshop followed by a field day on goat production and parasite management on Tuesday, June 27, at their farm.
Dr. Paul Plummer, a veterinarian at Iowa State University?s College of Veterinary Medicine, will lead the FAMACHA training.
Guests will learn how to take FAMACHA scores and keep records, and will also have an opportunity to look at goats? eyelids for anemia ? which is the basis of how FAMACHA works.
At the end of the training, all participants will receive a FAMACHA score card to use on their own herds.
To learn more visit practicalfarmers.org
