SPANS is sponsoring a study of the barberpole worm, Haemonchus contortus, in Nova Scotia this summer. As part of this project, we will be surveying fecal samples from flocks in different parts of the province, and in addition we will carry out a limited number of fecal egg count reduction tests on some flocks to determine whether resistance to one or both anthelmintics is widespread.
We expect that counts for Haemonchus will increase in late June or early July, based on the limited study we made last summer, and reach serious levels in late July and early August; therefore we would like to obtain samples, from lambs or yearling ewes in their first grazing season, from farms willing to participate. We are looking for samples from 10-15 lambs per farm, at least 3 weeks after turnout. It would be preferable if the samples could readily be picked up or delivered in the Truro or Windsor area, and we can arrange for assistance in sampling if necessary.
If you are interested and would like more information about this project, contact Dr. Gwyneth Jones at Saint Mary’s University: gjones@smu.ca