Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/11
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: Small plot studies with 'AUGrazer' sericea lespedeza (SL) to determine effects of location, season, and cutting treatment on yield and quality of leaf and stem growth were established in GA, AL, LA, and TX. Plant material was harvested and analyzed for crude protein, fiber (NDF and ADF), and extractable, protein-bound, and fiber-bound tannin content. Experiments were completed at several locations with goats and sheep to determine effects of feeding fresh (grazed) or dried (pelleted) SL on gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infections. In dose titration trials, lambs (LA) or goats (GA and NC) were fed 0, 25, 50, and 75% SL leaf meal in pelleted rations. In grazing trials (GA and AR), goats were fed supplemental SL pellets (75 and 95% SL) at 1-2 lbs/head/day. Grazing trials with goats (GA) or sheep (LA) given access to pure SL, pure grass, or a combination of SL and grass pastures were completed. At the AR research site, natural GIN infections in goats grazing sunn hemp, chicory, or pearl millet were also evaluated. Experiments testing the efficacy of copper oxide wire particles (COWP) in bolus form or milled into feed pellets against GIN infections in goats (does and kids) were completed (GA, AR, VA). Efficacy of COWP boluses against GIN of lambs and kids grazing the same pasture was determined (GA). Combination SL/COWP pellets were fed to either does (AR) or ewes (LA) to test efficacy for controlling the peri-parturient rise in GIN infection during kidding/lambing. For all trials, parasitized animals were assigned to treatment groups based upon fecal egg counts (FEC), with FEC and blood packed cell volume (PCV) taken weekly to determine treatment effects on GIN infection. At the end of the trials, animals were sacrificed to determine treatment effects on adult GIN numbers in the abomasum and small intestines. Events: Producer workshops (FAMACHA/Integrated parasite control) were held several times/year in each of the states participating in this project. Yearly field days were held in AR, GA, LA, and NC, and project research and outreach planning meetings were held twice per year. Products generated by this project: Patent: For use of dried sericea lepedeza products to control gastrointestinal nematode infection in animals, awarded in November, 2009. Students Graduated: Master's Degree - Fort Valley State University (7 students); Louisiana State University (3 students). Collaborations: Fort Valley State University (GA), Louisiana State University (LA); North Carolina A&T State University (NC), USDA/ARS/DBSFRC, Booneville (AR), Texas A&M University (TX), Auburn University (AL). Dissemination: A project web site (SCSRPC.org) was maintained and regularly updated with research results, producer-friendly publications, a train-the-trainer manual on integrated parasite control, announcements on upcoming field days, and links to other small ruminant production/parasite control sites. Projects results were presented yearly at the Sunbelt Expo in Moultrie, GA, and other producer-oriented meetings (Small Ruminant Organizations, County Agent Training), as well as at a number of different national and international scientific symposia. PARTICIPANTS: Principal Investigators: Thomas H. Terrill (Fort Valley State University, FVSU, Fort Valley, GA) served as Project Director and was responsible for overall coordination and yearly reports on all project research and outreach activities. He completed small plot work with sericea lespedeza at FVSU, confinement feeding and grazing trials with goats at the FVSU Research Station to evaluate anthelmintic efficacy of sericea lespedeza leaf meal pellets, and trials with sheep and goats to test efficacy of copper oxide wire particles in bolus from and milled into feed pellets. Participated in preparation of refereed journal manuscripts, presented research results at national and international meetings. James E. Miller (Louisiana State University, LSU) completed confinement feeding and grazing trials with sheep at LSU to evaluate anthelmintic efficacy of sericea lespedeza leaf meal pellets and copper oxide wire particles in feed pellets. Participated in preparation of refereed journal manuscripts, all outreach activities in Louisiana (Field Days, Producer Workshops), presented research results at national and international meetings. Joan M. Burke (USDA/ARS/DBSFRC, Booneville, AR) completed confinement feeding and grazing trials with goats and sheep to evaluate anthelmintic efficacy of sericea lespedeza pellets and copper oxide wire particles, including effects on periparturient ewes and weaned lambs and kids. She also completed trials with kids grazing sunn hemp, chicory, and pearl millet pastures. Participated in preparation of refereed journal manuscripts, outreach activities in Arkansas (Field Days), presented research results at national and international meetings. Niki Whitley (North Carolina A&T State University) completed confinement feeding dose titration trials with goats at NCATSU to evaluate anthelmintic/nutritional properties of sericea lespedeza leaf meal pellets. She also helped prepare refereed journal manuscripts, participated in all outreach activities in North Carolina (Field Days, Producer Workshops), presented research results at national and international meetings. Collaborators: Jorge A. Mosjidis (Auburn University, Auburn, AL) assisted in all aspects of establishment and management of sericea lespedeza plots at University and USDA Research Station sites, participated in preparation of refereed journal manuscripts, producer-oriented publications for project web site (SCSRPC.org). Will R. Getz (Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA) was responsible for outreach activities in Georgia and surrounding states (Field Days, Producer Workshops), coordinated publication of project results in the Georgia Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center bi-yearly newsletter. James Muir and Richard Wolfe (Texas AgriLife Research and Extension Center; Texas A&M University, at Stephenville, TX) were responsible for analysis of sericea lespedeza samples from small plot studies for bound and unbound condensed tannins. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary audiences for this work included small ruminant producers, small ruminant commodity organization leaders and members, county agents, veterinarians, and the scientific community world-wide. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Extracting condensed tannins from sericea lespedeza to use as an anti-parasitic drench was determined to be too labor-intensive and not cost-effective, so this part of the project was discontinued after initial work with goats.
Impacts
Sericea lespedeza leaves were much more stable in maintaining forage quality than SL stems as plants matured, regardless of geographic location. Sericea lespedeza leaf meal was more effective than SL whole plant meal at reducing FEC of goats. Pelleting SL hay did not reduce its efficacy against GIN of both goats and sheep. Feeding supplemental SL leaf meal pellets to goats and sheep grazing grass pastures reduced FEC in both species, with a greater effect of feeding 95% than 75% SL pellets in the trial where these were both included (goat study). The kids given the supplemental 95% SL pellets also had lower adult worm numbers and higher average daily gain than the 75% SL or commercial pellet-fed groups. In the studies where goats and sheep grazed SL or SL/grass pastures, FEC values were lower compared with control animals grazing grass only pastures, with a more rapid reduction in goats (within 7 days of initiation of grazing) compared with sheep (3-4 weeks). Sunn hemp, chicory, and pearl millet did not reduce FEC, but allowed kids to remain productive despite relatively high GIN infection rates, indicating that these are high-quality forages for goats. Copper oxide wire particles were effective against Haemonchus contortus infection in both sheep and goats whether administered in bolus form or milled into feed pellets. The combination of COWP and SL was effective in preventing the peri-parturient rise in GIN infection in both does and ewes. This work has resulted in a resurgence of interest by small ruminant producers throughout the U.S. in planting sericea lespedeza as a grazing and hay crop for goat and sheep production and GIN management. Sales of sericea lespedeza seed have increased dramatically since the anthelmintic activity of this plant was documented through this project, and requests for information on planting and management of this forage have been increasing every year of the project. The number of producers using copper oxide wire particles as a substitute for anthelmintic drugs has also continued to grow each year of the project. This project contributed greatly to a major paradigm shift in small ruminant producers' approach to parasite control in the U.S. and overseas, from GIN eradication through regular use of anthelmintic drugs on all animals in the herd or flock, an expensive practice that has been rendered unsustainable due to greatly increased prevalence of anthelmnitic-resistant sheep and goat GIN, to management of GIN below an economic threshold using a holistic GIN control program integrating sericea lespedeza grazing and hay feeding, FAMACHA, copper oxide wire particles, and other low-cost, non-chemical solutions.
Publications
- Joshi, B.R., D.S. Kommuru, T.H. Terrill, J.A. Mosjidis, J.M. Burke, K.P. Shakya, and J.E. Miller. 2011. Effect of feeding Sericea lespedeza leaf meal in goats experimentally infected with Haemonchus contortus. Veterinary Parasitology 178:192-197.
- Lee, J.H., M. Vanguru, G. Kannan, D.A. Moore, T.H. Terrill, and B. Kouakou. 2009. Influence of dietary condensed tannins from sericea lespedeza on bacterial loads in gastrointestinal tracts of meat goats. Livestock Science 126:314-317.
- Terrill, T.H., J.E. Miller, J.M. Burke, and J.A. Mosjidis. 2012. Experiences with integrated concepts for the control of Haemonchus contortus in sheep and goats in the United States. Veterinary Parasitology (In Press).
- Burke, J.M., J.E. Miller, J.A. Mosjidis, and T.H. Terrill. 2012. Use of a mixed sericea lespedeza and grass pasture system for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs and kids. Veterinary Parasitology (In Press).
- Burke, J.M., J.E. Miller, J.A. Mosjidis, and T.H. Terrill. 2012. Grazing sericea lespedeza for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in lambs. Veterinary Parasitology (In Press).
- Burke, J.M., N.C. Whitley, D.A. Pollard, J.E. Miller, T.H. Terrill, K.E. Moulton, and J.A. Mosjidis. 2011. Dose titration of sericea lespedeza leaf meal on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs and kids. Veterinary Parasitology 27:345-349.
- Miller, J.E., J.M. Burke, T.H. Terrill, and M.T. Kearney. 2011. A comparison of two integrated approaches of controlling nematode parasites in small ruminants. Veterinary Parasitology 178:300-310.
|
Progress 09/01/09 to 08/31/10
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Activities: Experiments were completed at Fort Valley State University (FVSU) and North Carolina State University (NCSU) to determine the anthelmintic efficacy of sericea lespedeza (SL) grazed alone or in combination with grass pasture against gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection in goats. The SL pastures were compared with control pastures of grass only. In another experiment at FVSU, three groups of parasitized goats grazing grass pastures were given 2 lb/head/day of feed pellets consisting of 1) 75% SL leaf meal, 25% supplement, 2) 95% SL leaf meal + dried molasses, or 3) commercial pellet. A similar trial with grazing goats fed 75% SL leaf meal pellets at 500 g/head/day was completed at the USDA/ARS/DBSFRC in Booneville, AR. Natural GIN infections in goats grazing sunn hemp, chicory, or pearl millet were also evaluated in trials at this location. Effect of 75% SL leaf meal pellets fed to parasitized goats in confinement was evaluated in a trial a North Carolina A&T State University (NCATSU). Parasite loads in lambs fed 0, 25, 50, and 75% SL pellets were evaluated in a confinement trial at Louisiana State University (LSU). The effectiveness of copper oxide wire particles, copper sulfate, and anthelmintic treatment against GIN in sheep was also evaluated at LSU. For each trial, parasitized animals were assigned to treatment groups based upon fecal egg counts (FEC), with FEC and blood packed cell volume (PCV) taken weekly to determine treatments effects on GIN infection. Events: Producer workshops (FAMACHA/Integrated parasite control) were held several times in each of the states participating in this project during 2010. Field days were held in Georgia, Louisiana and Arkansas, and two project research and outreach planning meetings were held in 2010. Students Graduated: Master's Degree - Fort Valley State University (2 students); Louisiana State University (2 students). Collaborations: FVSU, LSU, NCATSU, NCSU, USDA/ARS/DBSFRC, Booneville (AR). Dissemination: A project web site (SCSRPC.org) was maintained and regularly updated with research results, producer-friendly publications, a train-the-trainer manual on integrated parasite control, announcements on upcoming field days, and links to other small ruminant production/parasite control sites. Projects results were presented at the Sunbelt Expo in Moultrie, GA, and at a number of national and international scientific symposia, including the First National Goat Conference, 12-15 September, 2010, Tallahassee, FL, the American Society of Animal Science Southern Section Meeting, February 7-10, 2010, Orlando, FL, the Tenth International Conference on Goats, September 19-23, 2010, Recife, Brazil, and the XIIth International Congress of Parasitology, August 15-20, 2010, Melbourne, Australia. PARTICIPANTS: Principal Investigators: Thomas H. Terrill (FVSU) served as Project Director and was responsible for overall coordination and yearly reports on all project research and outreach activities. He completed grazing trials with goats at FVSU to evaluate anthelmintic efficacy of sericea lespedeza in fresh (grazed) or dried (pellets fed as pasture supplement) forms. He participated in preparation of refereed journal manuscripts and presented research results at national and international meetings. Will R. Getz (FVSU) was responsible for outreach activities in Georgia and surrounding states (Producer Workshops), coordinated publication of project results in the Georgia Small Ruminant Research and Extension Center bi-yearly newsletter. James E. Miller (LSU) completed dose titration confinement feeding trial with sheep at LSU to evaluate anthelmintic efficacy of sericea lespedeza hay in pelleted form. Also determined the efficacy of copper oxide wire particles, copper sulfate, and anthelmintic treatment against GIN in sheep. Participated in preparation of refereed journal manuscripts, all outreach activities in Louisiana (Field Day, Producer Workshops), presented research results at national and international meetings. Joan M. Burke (USDA/ARS/DBSFRC, Booneville, AR) completed a trial feeding supplemental 75% sericea lespedeza leaf meal pellets to grazing goats, and a goat grazing experiment to evaluate nutritional and anthelmintic properties of sunn hemp, chicory, and pearl millet. Participated in preparation of refereed journal manuscripts, presented research results at national and international meetings. Niki Whitley (NCATSU) completed a confinement feeding trial with goats fed 75% sericea leaf meal pellets. Participated in preparation of refereed journal manuscripts, presented research results at national meetings. Collaborators: Jean-Marie Luginbuhl (NCSU) completed a trial anthelmintic effectiveness of sericea lespedeza and pearl millet pastures for grazing goats. He presented his research results at a national meeting. TARGET AUDIENCES: The primary audiences for this work included small ruminant producers, small ruminant commodity organization leaders and members, county agents, veterinarians, and the scientific community world-wide. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
At each location, goats on sericea lespedeza (SL) pastures had lower fecal egg counts (FEC) than control animals within a week of initiation of grazing, and FEC remained lower than Controls throughout the duration of each trial. There was also a reduction in FEC in goats grazing grass pastures with supplemental SL leaf meal pellets (both 75 and 95%), but the initial reduction took longer (3-4 weeks) than with the grazed SL. Adult worm numbers were lower in goats grazing SL compared with grass pastures and in the goats given supplemental 95% SL leaf meal pellets compared with the 75% SL and commercial pellets. In the study comparing anthelmintic effectiveness of different forms of copper, COWP alone or in combination with anthelmintic treatment (levamisole + albendazole) was more effective at reducing FEC of lambs than copper sulfate or anthelmintics alone. Sunn hemp, chicory, and pearl millet were all high-quality forages for goat grazing, allowing kids to remain productive despite a remaining moderate to high GIN infection. This work continues to fuel a resurgence of interest by sheep and goat producers in using sericea lespedeza as a GIN management tool, either through purchasing SL hay or planting this forage for grazing or hay production. Because of this increased demand, a private company in Alabama that markets SL seeds has put in a pellet mill and is planning to produce and market sericea-based feed pellets as a grazing supplement and parasite management tool for producers.
Publications
- Burke, J.M., F. Soli, J.E. Miller, T.H. Terrill, S. Wildeus, S.A. Shaik, W.R. Getz, and M. Vanguru. 2010. Administration of copper oxide wire particles in a capsule or feed for gastrointestinal nematode control in goats. Vet. Parasitol 168:346-350.
- Carter, L., Whitley, NC., Kahl, D., and Terrill, T.H.. 2010. Fecal gastrointestinal parasite egg counts in post-parturient does fed sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata). First Nat. Goat Conf., 12-15 September, 2010, Tallahassee, FL (Abstract).
- Mahapatra, A.K., D.L. Harris, D.L. Durham, S. Lucas, T.H. Terrill, B. Kouakou, and G. Kannan. 2010. Moisture effect on the physical and thermal properties of sericea lespedeza pellets. Int. Ag. Eng. J. 19:23-29. Terrill, T.H., R.M. Wolfe, and J.P. Muir. 2010. Factors affecting ANKOM fiber analysis of forage and browse varying in condensed tannin concentration. J. Sci. Food Agric. 90:7223-2726.
- Burke, J.M., S. Orlik, J.E. Miller, T.H. Terrill, and J.A. Mosjidis. 2010. Using copper oxide wire particles or sericea lespedeza to prevent peri-parturient gastrointestinal nematode infection in sheep and goats. Liv. Sci 132:13-18.
- Gillespie, R.M., L.H. Williamson, T.H. Terrill, and R.M. Kaplan. 2010. Efficacy of anthelmintics on South American camelid (llama and alpaca) farms in Georgia. Veterinary Parasitology 172:168-171.
- Terrill, T.H., Joshi, B.R., Kommuru, D.S., Mechineni, A., Gujja, S., Kamisetti, N.R., Dzimianski, S.L, Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., and Burke, J.M. 2010. Feeding sericea lespedeza leaf meal to goats: effect on gastrointestinal nematode infection. J. Anim. Sci. 88, E-Suppl. 3:32 (Abstract).
- Whitley, N.C., Terrill, T.H., Miller, J.E., and Burke, J.M. 2010. Influence of diets containing sericea lespedeza leaf meal on gastrointestinal parasite fecal egg counts in goats. J. Anim. Sci. 88, E-Suppl. 3:33 (Abstract).
- Howell, S.B. Joshi, B.R., Terrill, T.H. and Kaplan, R.M. 2010. Effect of sericea lespedeza on fecal egg counts and egg hatching in goats infected with Haemonchus contortus. J. Anim. Sci. 88, E-Suppl. 3:32-33 (Abstract).
- Burke, J.M., Miller, J.E., Mosjidis, J.A., and Terrill, T.H. 2010. Integrated control of gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) using sericea lespedeza (SL), FAMACHA, and copper oxide wire particles (COWP) in weaned goats in Arkansas. J. Anim. Sci. 88, E-Suppl. 3:31 (Abstract).
|
Progress 09/01/08 to 08/31/09
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Dose titration trials with sheep (Louisiana State University) and goats (North Carolina A & T State University) were completed in which 0, 25, 50, and 75% sericea leaf meal in 16% crude protein rations were fed to parasitized animals in total confinement. Combined copper oxide wire particle/sericea leaf meal pellets were produced at Fort Valley State University and then fed to does (USDA. ARS, DBSFRC) and ewes (Louisiana State University, USDA. ARS, DBSFRC) to test their efficacy for controlling the peri-parturient rise in gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection during lambing/kidding. A sericea lespedeza (SL) leaf meal study was completed at Fort Valley State University to determine the relative importance of the anti-parasitic effects of SL condensed tannins on GIN eggs, larvae, and adults. PARTICIPANTS: Principal Investigators: Dr. Will R. Getz (Fort Valley State University; FVSU), Dr. Thomas H. Terrill (FVSU). Co-PIs: Dr. James Miller (Louisiana State University), Dr. Jorge Mosjidis (Auburn University), Dr. Niki Whitley (North Carolina A & T State University) TARGET AUDIENCES: Small ruminant producers; County Agents; Small ruminant commodity organization leaders, members PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Not relevant to this project.
Impacts
Outputs: Dose titration trials with sheep (Louisiana State University) and goats (North Carolina A & T State University) were completed in which 0, 25, 50, and 75% sericea leaf meal in 16% crude protein rations were fed to parasitized animals in total confinement. Combined copper oxide wire particle/sericea leaf meal pellets were produced at Fort Valley State University and then fed to does (USDA. ARS, DBSFRC) and ewes (Louisiana State University, USDA. ARS, DBSFRC) to test their efficacy for controlling the peri-parturient rise in gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection during lambing/kidding. A sericea lespedeza (SL) leaf meal study was completed at Fort Valley State University to determine the relative importance of the anti-parasitic effects of SL condensed tannins on GIN eggs, larvae, and adults. Impacts: An indication of the impact of this project is in the greatly increased number of producer inquiries about the use of novel, alternative parasite control technologies as a replacement/addition to chemical dewormers. The number of hits on our project web site (SCSRPC.org) continues to grow and is now averaging 60,000-70,000 per month, indicating a sustained interest in acquiring information on these novel control technologies, including use of copper oxide wire particles fed as a bolus or mixed in a feed pellet, grazing or feeding leaf meal/pellets of the high-tannin plant sericea lespedeza, breeding for resistance to parasitic infection, and use of the FAMACHA system to identify animals most in need of treatment. The number of phone calls and emails requesting information on the use of these technologies greatly increased in 2009 as well.
Publications
- Soli, F., T.H. Terrill, S.A. Shaik, W.R. Getz, J.E. Miller, M. Vanguru, and J.M. Burke. 2009. Efficacy of copper oxide wire particles against gastrointestinal nematodes in sheep and goats. Veterinary Parasitology (In Press).
- Burke, J.M., J.E. Miller, and T.H. Terrill. 2009. Impact of rotational grazing on management of gastrointestinal nematodes in weaned lambs. Veterinary Parasitology 163:52-56.
- Burke, J.M., and J.E. Miller. 2008. Dietary copper sulfate for control of gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. Veterinary Parasitology 154:289-293.
- Burke, J.M., A. Wells, P. Casey, and R.M. Kaplan. 2009. Herbal dewormer fails to control gastrointestinal nematodes in goats. Veterinary Parasitology 160:168-170.
|
Progress 09/01/07 to 08/31/08
Outputs
OUTPUTS: Sericea lespedeza (SL) was planted into small plots of established small grains (Trial 1) or at the same time as these grasses (Trial 2) to determine the effectiveness of companion grasses for protecting establishing SL seedlings for organic production. Greenhouse and field studies were undertaken to determine SL leaf production and quality at different plant heights. Ground SL leaf meal and whole plant meal at 25% of the diet were fed to parasitized goat bucks in confinement to determine possible differences in anthelmintic efficacy. A laboratory-sized pelleting machine was purchased and is being set up for processing SL leaf meal into pellets for goat and sheep feeding trials. Experiments to determine the anti-parasitic efficacy of COWP in bolus form and milled into feed pellets were completed for both goats and sheep. Several SL-related producer-oriented publications were added to the web site for the Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (SCSRPC.org). A series of producer workshops on establishment and management of SL for parasite control were completed at Fort Valley State University, Auburn University, and Louisiana State University during the first year of this project. PARTICIPANTS: Thomas H. Terrill, Will R. Getz (Fort Valley State University), Jorge Mosjidis (Auburn University), James Miller (Louisiana State University), Joan Burke (USDA/ARS/DBSFRC), James Muir (Texas A&M University), Hendrik Botha (Harmonie Farms, South Africa) TARGET AUDIENCES: Producers, scientists, county agents, commodity group leaders, students. PROJECT MODIFICATIONS: Work with SL extracts has been limited to in vitro evaluation against parasite larvae rather than in vivo with goats and sheep due to difficulties in acquiring large quantities of extract from fresh plants. The in vivo experiments will be conducted when sufficient quantities of extract can be generated.
Impacts
SL seedlings survived heavy weed competition in small plots and appears to have excellent potential for organic hay production or grazing. SL leaves were much more stable in their forage quality (crude protein, fiber, etc.) than SL stems as plants matured. SL leaf meal at 25% of the ration reduced fecal egg counts in goats compared with similar levels of whole plant SL meal. COWP were found to be efficacious in both sheep and goats, both in bolus form and milled into complete (16% crude protein) feed pellets. Interest in SL as a hay and grazing crop has greatly increased in the USA as evidenced by much higher demand for AUGrazer SL seed (Sims Bros. Seed Company, Union Springs, Alabama).
Publications
- Terrill, T.H., F.A. Soli, M. Vanguru, A. Vuggam, S.A. Shaik, J.A. Mosjidis, J.E. Miller, B. Kouakou, and J.M. Burke. 2008. Effectiveness of sericea lespedeza leaf meal to reduce worm burden in goats. Abstracts of the Ninth International Conference on Goats, 1-5 September, 2008, Queretaro, Mexico.
|
|