B.STU.2400: Goat Industry Capacity Building Scholarship - Kathryn Dawson
MLA supports under/postgraduates to work on industry’s complex problems by providing opportunities for them to enter the red meat industry.
| Project start date: | 01 May 2024 |
| Project end date: | 30 September 2024 |
| Publication date: | 02 October 2024 |
| Project status: | Completed |
| Livestock species: | Goat |
| Relevant regions: | NSW, Queensland |
Summary
Gastrointestinal nematodes are a major constraint on small ruminant production systems in Australia, and worldwide. There is limited information on the prevalence and distribution of internal parasites of goats, or the efficacy of anthelmintic products in Australian meat goats. As the goat industry continues to experience growth, it is essential that this information is gathered and distributed to relevant stakeholders (producers, researchers, pharmaceutical companies).
Objectives
The two primary project objectives were:
• To characterise the prevalence and distribution of gastrointestinal nematodes in New South Wales and Queensland goat farms.
• To test a range of commercially available and off-label anthelminthic treatment for efficacy in goats.
Key findings
The project's key findings included:
• Internal parasites (Haemonchus contortus, Trichostrongulus spp) were present on all farms tested, with other species (Teladorsagia circumcincta, Oesophagostomum spp) present on some NSW farms.
• Faecal egg counts varied from low (<200 epg) to exceptionally high (>10,000 epg) on various farms.
• Factors found to significantly influence FEC include age, rainfall, and supplementary feeding practices.
• Significant levels of anthelmintic resistance were detected to most products tested, including single-active products, dual, triple, and quadruple formulations.
Benefits to industry
• The first survey of anthelmintic resistance in Australian meat goats – which provides guidance for producers on what may or may not work on their farm.
• Information for producers on the level of parasite egg shedding from farms potentially in their region or from similar climatic zones
• Information for producers on the factors that man influence the level of egg-shedding on farm
MLA action
The Goat Industry Research, Development and Adoption Committee (GIRDAC) awarded the scholarship to Kathryn to disseminate her research findings to broader audiences within industry and the broader scientific community.
Future research
Future research could look at:
• Characterising seasonal trends in egg-shedding. This requires a longitudinal sampling strategy for identified goats on properties.
• Investigating optimal timing of anthelmintic treatments on extensive and semi-intensive properties for effective management of parasites.
More information
| Project manager: | Daniel Forwood |
| Contact email: | reports@mla.com.au |
| Primary researcher: | The University of Queensland |
