Genetics
Selecting animals with the ability to resist and tolerate interal parasite infections is one of the best long-term strategy for managing internal parasite problems in small ruminants. Parasite resistance (usually quantified by fecal egg counts) is a moderately heritable trait and there is considerable within and between breed variability. Parasite resilience is less heritable, but is more easily estimated on the farm, using the FAMACHA© system and Five Point Check©. There are genetic correlations between fecal egg counts and FAMACHA© scores.
Articles
Blueprint for Selecting Parasite Resistant Sheep: A Shepherd's Perspective. Kathy Bielek, Misty Oaks Farm, Wooster, Ohio [Timely Topic, January 2014].
Breed type and resistance: building a parasite-resistant meat goat herd at North Carolina A&T State University. Niki Whitley and Sara Beth Routh, North Carolina A&T State University. [Timely Topic, May 2013].
Building internal parasite resistance in small ruminants: new ATTRA publication focuses on animal selection; Linda Coffey, National Center for Appropriate Technology/Sustainable Agriculture Information Network [Timely Topic, October 2012].
How can artificial insemination (AI) further parasite resistance in sheep?
Joan Burke, Stephan Wildeus, Roxanne Newton, and Kathy Bielek [Timely Topic, February 2014].
Resistance: it's a gene frequency thing; Will Getz, Fort Valley State University [Timely Topic, January 2013].
Conference proceedings
; David Riley and Lauretta Ngere, Texas A&M University; 10th Anniversary Conference of the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control [May 2013].
External Links
; H.B. Vanimisetti; M.S. Thesis; Virginia Tech [2003].
. David R. Notter, Virginia Tech.
; J.E. Correa; Alabama Cooperative Extension System [2012].
Fact sheets
; Linda Coffey; National Center for Appropriate Technology/The National Sustainable Agriculture Information Service (ATTRA) [May 2012].
Journal articles
Relative resistance of Dorper crossbred ewes to gastrointestinal nematode infection compared with St. Croix and Katahdin ewes in the southeastern United States; J.M. Burke and J.E. Miller; Veterinary Parasitology [August 2002].
Resistance to Gastrointestinal Parasites in Dorper, Katahdin, and St. Croix Lambs in the Southeastern United States; J. Burke and J. Miller; Small Ruminant Research [August 2004].
Meeting Abstracts
Are Dorper Crossbred Ewes As Tolerant to Intestinal Parasites As St. Croix Or Katahdin Ewes in the Southeastern United States?; J. Burke; Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science [February 2002].
Are Dorper Crossbred Weaned Lambs As Tolerant to Intestinal Parasites As St. Croix Or Katahdin Lambs in the Southeastern United States?; J. Burke; Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science [February 2002].
Pasture-raised Katahdin and Katahdin crossbred lambs: growth and parasite resistance; N. Whitley, D. Jackson, D. Cazac, J. Miller, J. Burke, and R. Subburathinam; Southern Section of the American Society of Animal Science.
The Gulf Coast Native is a resistant breed of sheep.
