OSU Sheep Team

Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator Wayne County

OSU Extension, Wayne County and the Ohio Heartland Sheep Improvement Association (OHSIA) are sponsoring a FAMACHA Workshop/Training on Saturday June 1.  The workshop and training will be held at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC) Sheep Unit at 5743 Fredericksburg Road (County Road 501), 4.5 miles southeast of Wooster.  

FAMACHA is a scorecard system developed in South Africa.  It is used as part of an internal parasite control strategy that focuses on selective chemical deworming of sheep and goats. It involves comparing animal eyelid color with a color chart.  Eye lid color is correlated with levels of anemia caused by infection of Haemonchus contortus, the barber pole worm.

The workshop will run from 9 am until 2:30 pm and will include a classroom session on the biology and lifecycle of the Haemonchus contortus, mechanisms of chemical resistance, control strategies, and use of FAMACHA.   After lunch there will be a period of hands-on instruction using sheep to teach participants how to properly eyelid score and use the FAMACHA system.  Dr. Bill Shulaw, OSU Extension Veterinarian will teach the morning classroom session as well as facilitate the afternoon hands-on teaching session.  Additional resource people from the OHSIA group who have been trained in the FAMACHA system will be on hand to help with the afternoon session.

The cost of the workshop/training is $30/person or $40 for 2 people from the same farm business sharing a FAMACHA card.  The cost includes a FAMACHA card, handout materials, lunch, and morning refreshments.  Class size is limited to 40 persons and pre-registration is required by May 22. Contact the Wayne County Extension office at 330-264-8722 for registration information or visit the Wayne County Extension web site at wayne.osu.edu/anr for a registration form.

by Bill Shulaw, Extension Veterinarian

Lambing, kidding, and calving seasons are well underway and the typical questions about abortions, calf scours, and other problems have been asked.  This week I was asked if I would provide some general guidelines about obtaining help with disease diagnosis.

First of all, getting at least a tentative diagnosis is crucial to formulating appropriate and cost-effective treatment, control, or prevention plans.  Sometimes this isn’t easy or simple, but it should start with your local veterinarian.  Most veterinarians can provide at least some diagnostic services that might include bacterial culturing, blood work, and post mortem examination of dead animals.  If additional testing is needed, the veterinarian might send samples they have collected to a laboratory for additional testing.  A full diagnostic effort on a live animal, especially a valuable one, might involve sending the animal to a referral center such as the OSU College of Veterinary Medicine’s large animal hospital.  This may be needed for situations involving several animals.

Occasionally, a veterinarian will recommend that an animal owner deliver a dead animal or other samples to a diagnostic laboratory such as the ODA’s Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.  This is a full service laboratory accredited by the American Association of Veterinary Laboratory Diagnosticians.  They can perform post mortem examinations and collect appropriate samples for further testing, and they can provide diagnostic tests for other kinds of samples such as placentas from abortion cases or tissue samples for trace mineral analysis (copper, selenium, lead, etc.).

When an owner delivers animals or other samples to the Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, they will be asked to provide information about the problem and any other pertinent observations.  Often the veterinarian will call ahead to provide the laboratory some of this information and to let the laboratory people know that the animal/samples are coming.  If the veterinarian hasn’t called in advance, the animal owner will be asked the name of his or her veterinarian.  Results of post mortem examinations and diagnostic tests as well as charges for the service are sent to this veterinarian.  Usually the Laboratory sends out a preliminary report of the postmortem findings the next work day followed by test results within just a few days.  Sometimes owners and veterinarians can get information about the initial findings almost immediately depending on the case.  Also, with the laboratory’s current computer system veterinarians can access the cases they are managing for lab results and updates day or night, 24/7, year round.  A final report is sent to the veterinarian as soon as all results are available.  Laboratory results are considered medical records and the veterinarian shares them with the animal owner.

Sometimes there is an urgent need to submit a large animal to the Laboratory on a weekend in order to be able to preserve the animal under refrigeration conditions until the post mortem examination can be done.  Regular necropsy and diagnostic services are not available on weekends, but arrangements for this can be made by calling ahead at 1-614-728-6220.  If the call is made after normal work hours (8 AM – 5 PM Monday through Friday), an after-hours emergency phone number is provided.  Please note there is an after-hours service fee of $75 in addition to the costs of diagnostic tests.  In some cases, the veterinarian can perform the postmortem examination in the field, keep fresh samples refrigerated over the weekend (and formalin-fixed tissue samples at room temperature) and ship them overnight to the lab on the next work day.

Treatment and control efforts carried out without an accurate diagnosis may be costly and ineffective and may compromise animal welfare.  Today’s economic climate requires using the best information you can get.

If you missed the presentation on “Use of EAZI-BREED™ CIDR® for Sheep and Goat Operations”, by Dr. Keith Inskeep, WVU. Do not worry.  We recorded it.  You can find the recording by following this link:  http://go.osu.edu/2013Sheep-4  It was recorded on Monday, February 25, 2013.

In case you missed the first session of the 2013 Ohio Sheep and Goat Web Series don’t worry.  We recorded all but the introduction.  To view the recording of Dr. Eric Gordon’s Presentation on “Vaccination Programs for Sheep and Goats”  follow this link:  http://go.osu.edu/2013Sheep-1 .  The presentation was given Monday, February 4, 2013.

Don’t forget the next presentation in the series, Dr. Meghan Wulster-Radcliffe, CEO, American Society of Animal Sciences, speaking on “Artificial Insemination Techniques of Sheep and Goats”. It will be Monday, February 11, 2013 at 7 pm. Viewing locations can be found http://sheep.osu.edu/2013/01/14/2013-sheep-and-goat-web-programs/

In a coordinated effort, the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and Ohio State University Extension are pleased to announce the 2013 Sheep and Goat WebEx Programs.  The Sheep and Goat WebEx Program series was started in 2012 due to an increased need to get educational programming to the sheep and goat producers in state of Ohio and other states.  The Sheep and Goat WebEx programs followed 10 years of “District” type programming.  This program offers a wide variety of topics and speakers in most areas of the state of Ohio, but allows us to use speakers from other states, universities, or industry relationships with those speakers attending all of the different sites.  In 2013, we are offering 20 “District” Sheep and Goat WebEx programs.

The Sheep and Goat Program WebEx series is sponsored by the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and OSU Extension.  With each of the programs we have provided a program date, the remote site program locations, the time, the speaker and topic, as well as any contact information for the key OSU Extension Personnel responsible for the educational program at each remote county location.  Please contact OSU Extension Personnel at the remote sites with any questions or concerns regarding the program that you are interested in attending, especially in the case of inclement weather.   Cancellation due to inclement weather may also be announced on local radio stations.

Topics and dates

February 4, 2013 – Dr. Eric Gordon, OSU Large Animal Veterinarian, “Vaccination Programs for Sheep and Goat Operations”

February 11, 2013 – Dr. Meghan Wulster-Radcliffe, CEO, American Society of Animal Sciences, “Artificial Insemination Techniques of Sheep and Goats”

February 18, 2013 – Jeff McCutcheon and Rory Lewandowski, OSU Extension, “Managing Pastures and Hay Fields after a Drought”

February 25, 2013 – Dr. Keith Inskeep, West Virginia University, “Use of EAZI-BREED™ CIDR® for Sheep and Goat Operations”

• Remote WebEx Locations:
  • Athens County, USDA Building, 69 S. Plains Rd., The Plains, OH  45780
    • Site Coordinator, Hal Kneen, (740) 593-8555, kneen.1@osu.edu
  • Clinton County, Clinton County Extension Office, 111 S. Nelson Ave. Wilmington, OH  45177
    • Site Coordinator, Tony Nye, (937) 382-0901, nye.1@osu.edu
  • Coshocton County, Coshocton County Extension Office, 724 South 7^th St., Coshocton, OH 43812
    • Site Coordinator, Tammi Rogers, (740) 622-2265, rogers.376@osu.edu
  • Coshocton County, TMK – New Bedford Store, 33874 St. Rt. 643, Fresno, OH  43824
    • Due to lack of seating at TMK facility, attendees must bring their own chairs.
    • Site Coordinator, Don Brown, (330) 897-4320, don.pllc@gmail.com
  • Fairfield County, Fairfield County Extension Office, 831 College Ave., Suite D, Lancaster, OH 43130
    • Site Coordinator, Mike Hogan, (740) 653-5419, hogan.1@osu.edu
  • Hancock County, Hancock County Extension Office, 7868 County Rd. 140, Findlay, OH  45840
    • Site Coordinator, Ed Lentz, (419) 422-3851, lentz.38@osu.edu
  • Hardin County, Hardin County Extension Office, 1021 W. Lima St., Kenton, OH  43326
    • Site Coordinator, Gene McCluer, (419) 674-2297, mccluer.1@osu.edu
  • Holmes County, Holmes County Extension Office, 75 E. Clinton St., Suite 109, Millersburg, OH  44654
    • Site Coordinator, Gary Graham, OSU Extension Educator, (330) 674-3015, graham.124@osu.edu
  • Huron County, Huron County Administration Building, Suite 1, 180 Milan Ave., Norwalk, OH  44857
    • Site Coordinator, Mike Gastier, (419) 668-8219, gastier.3@osu.edu
  • Licking County, Licking County Extension Office, Ag Center, 71 E. Main St., Newark, OH 43055
    • Due to meeting space conflicts, the Licking County site will only host Session #3 and Session #4, Licking County producers are invited to the Perry County location for Session #1.  Session #2 will not be offered in Licking and/or Perry Counties.
    • Site Coordinator, Ted Wiseman, (740) 670-5315, wiseman.15@osu.edu
  • Logan County, Hi-Point Career Center, St. Rt. 540, Bellefontaine, OH 43311
    • Due to Hi-Point Career Center holiday closure, the Logan County February 18, 2012 WebEx Program will be held at the Logan County Extension Office, 1100 S. Detroit St., Bellefontaine, OH  43311
    • Site Coordinator, Tim Lyden, (937) 592-1083, tlyden@embarqmail.com
  • Mahoning County, Mahoning County Extension Office, 490 S. Broad St., Canfield, OH  44406
    • Site Coordinator, Eric Barrett, (330) 533-5538, barrett.90@osu.edu
  • Morgan County, Morgan County Extension Office, 155 E. Main St., McConnelsville, OH  43756
    • Site Coordinator, Chris Penrose, (937) 599-4227, penrose.1@osu.edu
  • Morrow County, Morrow County Extension Office, 871 W. Marion Rd., Mt. Gilead, OH  43338
    • Site Coordinator, Jeff McCutcheon, (419) 947-1070, mccutcheon.30@osu.edu
  • Muskingum County, Muskingum County Extension Office, 225 Underwood St., Zanesville, OH 43701
    • Site Coordinator, Mark Mechling, (740) 454-0144, mechling.1@osu.edu
  • OSU Extension Regional Office and ERS Center, 16714 St. Rt. 215, Caldwell, OH 43724
    • Site Coordinator, Clif Little, (740) 489-5300, little.16@osu.edu
    • Site Coordinator, Mark Landefeld, (740) 472-0810, landefeld.6@osu.edu
  • Perry County, Perry County Extension Office, 104 S. Columbus St., Somerset, OH 43783
    • Due to meeting space conflicts, the Perry County site will only host Session #1; Perry County producers are invited to the Licking County location for Session #3 and Session #4.  Session #2 will not be offered in Licking and/or Perry Counties.
    • Site Coordinator, Ted Wiseman, (740) 743-1602, wiseman.15@osu.edu
  • Shelby County, Shelby County Extension Office, 810 Fair St. Sidney, OH  45365
    • Site Coordinator, Deborah Brown, (937) 498-7239, brown.1522@osu.edu
  • Summit County, Cuyahoga Valley Countryside Conservancy, 2179 Everett Rd., Peninsula, OH  44264
    • Site Coordinator, Laura DeYoung, (330)  805-4868,  laura@spicylambfarm.com
  • Wayne County, OARDC, Room 130 Research Services, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH  44691
    • Site Coordinator, Rory Lewandowski, (330) 264-8722, lewandowski.11@osu.edu
  • Williams County, Williams County Extension Office, 1122 West High St., Bryan, OH 43506
    • Site Coordinator, Flo Chirra, (419) 636-5608, chirra.1@osu.edu
• Sheep and Goat WebEx Series is a 4-part educational series; an individual can go to all or part of the programs.

Farmers confronted with parasite infections in their sheep and goats soon realize there is no “magic bullet” or “one size fits all” solution.  They can be quickly bombarded with a lot of information available on internal parasite control but with no help in sorting out which options they should consider in their farming operation.

OSU Extension personnel have developed a decision making support tool for farmers to develop farm-specific strategies for their sheep or goat operation.  It is limited to gastrointestinal nematode infections and is “risk-based” in that it addresses grazing animals by class and by type of pasture.  It is science-based and has been reviewed by qualified reviewers.  It is not a universal prescription or a replacement for your veterinarian with regard to diagnosis of parasitism or specifics of drug use.  Parasite control programs should be developed at the farm level.

This decision making support tool is designed to help sheep and goat producers sort through the large amount of information available on controlling sheep and goat parasites and make decisions about specific management options that are relevant to their farm operation. The information has been organized in a “decision tree” or “flow chart” approach where answering one question leads to another question or various management options.  There are two options for using the tool, either a computer based module or a set of printable flow charts.  Both can be accessed at: http://vet.osu.edu/extension/decision-tree

These tools are a “work-in-progress” and will continue to update and revise as new information becomes available.

“Improving & Utilizing Forages on a Small Ruminant (Sheep & Goat) Farm”  is the focus of this year’s  Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium. The Symposium will be held on  Saturday, December 8, 2012, from 8 am to 3 pm, at
OSU Agricultural Technical Institute (ATI) Skou Hall,  1328 Dover Road, Wooster, Ohio 44691.  Speakers include industry leaders, successful farmers, and researchers.  For details  see the attached flyer SymposiumFlyer2012 .

To register contact Ohio S he e p Improvement Association 614. 246 .829 9 or print,  complete, and mail the following form: Registration 12

By Clif Little
OSU Extension Agriculture/Natural Resources
Guernsey & Noble Counties
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Recent storms downed many trees throughout Ohio, some of these pose a threat to livestock. Poisoning is most common when grazing is scarce, such as periods of dry weather coupled with thunderstorms that down trees during the mid to late summer months.
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Among the most deadly this time of year is the wild black cherry. The leaves and twigs of fallen wild black cherry trees are readily eaten by livestock and are potentially deadly. The seeds, twigs, bark and leaves of the wild black cherry contain a highly toxic compound, hydrocyanic acid. Poisonings occur most often occur when wilted leaves are eaten, but can also occur when leaves are consumed fresh, or dry. Cyanide poisoning causes a deficiency of oxygen reaching the body tissues. Symptoms following consumption appear quickly. Animals may exhibit excitement, incoordination, convulsions, rapid and labored breathing. Consult your veterinarian immediately if you suspect poisoning. Wild black cherry trees should be among the first to be removed from livestock grazing lands.

​Red maple poisoning can result from livestock consuming wilted leaves of fallen trees. Dried leaves have been reported to remain toxic for up to thirty days. The cause of toxicity is not clearly understood however, the primary effects are acute hemolytic anemia, methemoglobinemia, and Heinz body formation in the red blood cells. Symptoms develop three to four days after ingestion and may include rapid breathing and heart rate, weakness, depression, cyanosis and brownish discoloration of blood and urine.
​The black locust tree contains several toxic compounds found in the sprouts, leaves, bark, flowers, and seed pods including a glycoside (robitin) and phytotoxins (robin and phasin). Affected animals may exhibit signs of depression, diarrhea, weakness, posterior paralysis, pupil dilation, weak pulse and rapid, irregular heartbeat.
​Many oak species contain toxic tannins. Large quantities of young leaves, sprouts and green acorns are toxic. Livestock must consume large quantities of these plant parts for a period of time before poisoning will occur. These plant tannins or their metabolites may cause intestinal and renal dysfunction. Symptoms appear several days after the period of consumption and include abdominal pain, depression, diarrhea and blood in urine.

​Our state tree the buckeye tree can and does make cattle sick each year. Cattle readily consume fallen buckeyes. Toxicity is attributed to glycosides and possibly alkaloids. Sprouts and leaves may also be poisonous. Animals exhibit depression, incoordination, twitching, paralysis and inflammation of mucous membranes. If caught quickly treated animals usually survive.
​As we clean up from the storm, some people mistakenly throw branches and clippings in to pastures. One of the most deadly shrubs to livestock is the yew. Yews are flat needled evergreen shrubs, with a bright red fleshy cup-shaped berry. The leaves bark, and seeds contain alkaloids that affect the nervous system and are toxic green or dry. Poisonings often occur when clipping are accessible to livestock. Symptoms include gaseous distress, tremors, diarrhea, convulsions, dilated pupils, weakness and respiratory difficulty.

​Combine summer drought with high winds and broken trees and we have the perfect storm for livestock poisoning. Clean pastures and hay fields of these potentially harmful trees. Provide additional feed and or hay when forage grazing is limited and consult your veterinarian if you suspect poisoning.