Progress 09/01/18 to 05/31/23
Outputs
Target Audience:The Target Audiences are sheep and goat producers in the Northeast US. Grower trials are planned to demonstrated effectiveness of birdsfoot trefoil to suppress intestinal parasites, and parasite workshops and grower presentations will be held, including one focused on veterinarians. Field days and pasture walks focusing on organic management of sheep and goats and forage management to reduce parasite infection in sheep and goats will be held, as well as workshops on alternative forages with potential to assist in parasite management for participating researchers and farmers. Changes/Problems:
Nothing Reported
What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?URI provided training for one graduate student and 1 undergraduate student involved in thein vitroassays of the BFT samples.Five undergraduate interns at WVUparticipated in hands-on learning with the project in 2023, and two undergraduate lab assistants learned plant identification skills, as well as assisted with sheep fecal sample analyses. Grower and studenteducation also occurred at the WVU organic Farm Field Day. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest? Cornell 2022 Sheep & Goat Symposium: Research Update on Potential Tools to Manage Internal Parasites in Pastured Small Ruminants,Ithaca, NY. Sept 17, 2021. Katherine Petersson and Elizabeth Kass, co-presenters, 1 hr. 30 goat and sheep farmers and extension educators. IPM/FAMACHA© TrainingWorkshop at the Amer. Dairy Goat Assoc. (ADGA) National Convention,Syracuse, NY.Oct 3, 2022. 5 hr.tatianaStanton and Jan Liotta, co-instructors. 20 goat owners and extension educators attended lectures, 15 people were certified (1 CCE educator trained asFAMACHA© instructor and later received instructor certification). Amer. Assoc. Sm. Ruminant Practitioners Vet. Continuing Education Program at the ADGA Nat'l Conv. Session 5: Best management practices for integrated gastrointestinal parasite control in small ruminants, Syracuse, NY. Oct 2, 2022. Katherine Petersson. 1 hr. 35 veterinarians, vet techs and goat raisers. AASRP Vet. CE Program at ADGA Nat'l Conv. Session 6: Updates on use of birdsfoot trefoil, cranberry vine pellets & Bacillus thuringiensis crystal proteins for gastrointestinal parasite control in small ruminants, Syracuse, NY. Oct 2, 2022. Katherine Petersson and Elizabeth Kass. 1 hr. 35 veterinarians, vet techs and goat raisers. Dairy Sheep Assoc. of North America Virtual Symposium: Update on Internal Parasite Control in Dairy Ewes.Nov 9, 2022. Katherine Petersson, presenter. 1 hr. 56 dairy sheep producers, researchers and extension educators attended this virtual presentation. Ruminant Health Undergraduate Class: Parasite management using information from parasite life cycles and fecal exams,SUNY Cobleskill, Cobleskill, NY. Nov 16,2022. Jan Liotta, presenter, 2 hr. per session, 40 Animal Science undergraduates (divided into 2 sessions). NOFA-NY Virtual Winter Conference:Important considerations in forage management on organic goat & sheep farms with regard to rumen health, ruminant nutrition and internal parasite control, Webinar. Feb 3, 2023.tatianaStanton, presenter, 1.25 hr. 40 potential and current sheep and goat farmers and educators in real time, other conference attendees accessed the recording. Advisory Committee Summary Meeting for the Farmers and Researchers conducting The NIFA Organic Transitions Grant Project:Overcoming barriers to transitioning small ruminants to organic production: effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil on parasite control, nutritional status and profitability.May 3, 2023.ZOOM Meeting, 3 hrs. The 4 farmers and on the project all presented their data, statistics and conclusions from their studies and also provided feedback and "what's next" suggestions. 4 Farmers conducting the BFT planting and grazing studies and 6 researchers and extensionists conducting the applied and basic research for the project. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?
Nothing Reported
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
Objective 1. Evaluate agronomic practices to improve BFT establishment in existing pastures. Data analyses from field and laboratory experiments from 2019-2022 were completed in 2023. The results were published in a Masters thesis. Objective 2.Compare efficacy of BFT pastures and supplemental feed in field-scale grazing trials ... Twelve pastures were established at the WVU Organic Research Farm in Fall 2019. Three 1.25-acre pastures each were planted with Norcen birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) or Bull BFT, and six with orchard grass and red clover (OG/RC). Grazing trials with six lambs per plot were conducted for 90 days, beginning in June 2022. Body weight, body condition index, FAMACHA scores and Fecal Egg Counts were conducted at 14-day intervals. Pasture forage was supplemented with corn and soybean in all plots at 0.75 % of body weight, but additional soybean was fed to lambs in half of the OG/RC plots to balance the protein content of BFT pastures (Total grain = 0.94 % body weight/day). Lambs with high FAMACHA scores (4 or greater) were treated with a synthetic dewormer (Cydectin) as needed. Wet weather in 2022 produced high levels of infection, however, trefoil stands in the plots had declined compared to previous years. Slightly more lambs on OG/RC required deworming than those on BFT and lambs on BFT had higher weight gain per day (0.31 versus 0.22 lbs/day) and higher body condition index than lambs on OG/RC. BFT was <5 % of the pasture forage through the 2022 season, thus differences were not statistically significant in 2022, unlike the 2021 results. Objective 3. Determine the effect of BFT cultivars on gastrointestinal nematodes .... Twelve Birdsfoot trefoil varieties(Bruce, Langille, Leo, Norcen, Pardee, Wellington, Witt, BuUr-13, LTAN-17, MSP4068, NB95-118, NB95-120) were assessed based on growth and anti-parasitic parameters. Each variety's survival, cover, and yield were assessed in June and August harvests in 2020 and 2021 and the June harvest of 2022. The percent cover varied between varieties, with Wellington having significantly better cover in both 2020 and 2021. Similarly, Witt, Norcen, and BuUr-13 had greater than 70% cover in both 2020 and 2021. Low performing varieties, less than 50% cover, included Bruce and Leo. The varieties Bruce and Leo had the lowest starting plants in each plot quadrat compared to the other varieties and had low survival rates from November 2019 to October 2020. The varieties Langille, BuUr-13, NB95-120 had the highest survival rates of the varieties from November 2019 to October 2020. The harvest yields of the varieties decreased during the second harvest (August) of both years 2020 and 2021, the June harvest of 2022 was lower than previous years due to the significant quackgrass intrusion in the plots; the highest yielding varieties in both 2021 and 2022 included NB95-120, and Wellington. The antiparasitic efficacy of the twelve varieties was determined using aqueous extracts in vitro against the hatching of Haemonchus contortus eggs. The twelve varieties were harvested either hay-dried, to mimic the field conditions of the forage or were freeze-dried after sampling to conserve the structural integrity of the plant compound. The aqueous extracts of hay and freeze-dried varieties were plated in decreasing concentrations from, 6 mg powder/mL down to 0.188 mg powder/mL in a 48-well plate. Anti-parasitic efficacy was determined after 48-hour incubation period by visual observation of hatching of H. contortus. Overall, the freeze-dried extracts demonstrated complete inhibition of egg hatching at a lower concentration (3 mg powder/ mL) than the hay-dried extracts did (6 mg powder/mL). The structural integrity of the forage by freeze-drying likely contributed to the enhanced anti-parasitic efficacy seen. Objective 4. Demonstrate research results in on-farm trials with select farmers. Data were analyzed from four farms participating in field grazing trials with Cornell Univ. Growers started grazing studies in July 2021, comparing a control pasture with a pasture planted with BFT. Follow-up soil health samples were collected at each of the fourfarms in the grazing studies in 2022. Objective 5. Extend research results ... See description in Box# 3. Objective 6. Evaluate success of outreach...See description in Box # 3.
Publications
- Type:
Theses/Dissertations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Blake. N. 2023. Forage Grass Growth Habit and Allelopathy in Birdsfoot Trefoil Germination and Establishment. M.S. Thesis. West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV. 91 p.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Awaiting Publication
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
J. Kotcon. 2023. Soil biological responses at the West Virginia University Long-term Organic Crop/Livestock Systems Trial. 2023 Society of Nematologists Annual Meeting Annual Meeting. Columbus, OH
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Kotcon. J. 2023. Pasture ecology. Poster presentations and a pasture walk at the WVU Organic Farm Field Day, Aug. 19, 2023.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2023
Citation:
Kotcon. J. 2023. Monitoring and Managing Barberpole Worm in Organic Sheep. Video presentation at the WVU Organic Farm Field Day, Aug. 19, 2023. Available on-line at: https://fieldday.wvu.edu/
|
Progress 09/01/21 to 08/31/22
Outputs
Target Audience:The Target Audiences are sheep and goat producers in the Northeast US. Grower trials are planned to demonstrated effectiveness of birdsfoot trefoil to suppress intestinal parasites, and parasite workshops and grower presentations will be held, including one focused on veterinarians. Field days and pasture walks focusing on organic management of sheep and goats and forage management to reduce parasite infection in sheep and goats will be held, as well as workshops on alternative forages with potential to assist in parasite management for participating researchers and farmers. Changes/Problems:At WVU, drought conditions in 2020 slowed plant growth in birdsfoot trefoil pastures, resulting in a shift to lower-than-planned stocking rates. In addition, the COVID-19 epidemic prevented us from staffing the project at expected levels, thus the planned fall-2020 planting at WVU was not done, and while forage samples were collected for condensed tannin analyses, these have not yet been processed. An additional set of laboratory experiments was added to assess allelopathy of pasture grasses against birdsfoot trefoil. Trays (30-50-cm) were planted with eight common pasture grass species (tall fescue, meadow fescue, timothy, orchard grass, blue grass, reed canary grass, perennial ryegrass, and smooth brome grass) and maintained in the greenhouse. Shoot tissues were harvested after 60 days and dried, and ground. Extracts were prepared by mixing 0, 1.875, 3.75, 7.5 and 15 g in 25 ml distilled water. Three ml of each extract was placed on filter papers in petri dishes, and 20 birdsfoot trefoil seeds were added to assess effects of germination. Germination of birdsfoot trefoil was inhibited at the highest concentration of extracts of all grasses. Kentucky bluegrass, orchard grass, smooth brome and timothy were significantly less inhibitory than the other grasses at lower concentrations. Additional work is planned to evaluate allelopathy of root extracts as well as shoot extracts. Changes in land use and COVID-19 also precluded work at University of Rhode Island (URI). A change of objectives was approved by USDA in July, 202 to change Objective 3. In lieu of forage trials, URI is evaluating the Condensed Tannin profiles of birdsfoot trefoil forage preserved via freezing versus drying, and will characterize in vitro anti-parasitic activity of these samples. Persistence of anti-parasitic activity in storage will also be assessed using laboratory assays of the effects of birdsfoot trefoil extracts on egg hatch, larval motility, exsheathment, and growth. Goats in the control flock in Jefferson County, NY became heavily infected with multiple parasites in 2021, exacerbated by limited nutrition and previous contamination of their pastures. Affected animals were dewormed but two goats died. Additional efforts to improve animal care and use will include instructions to growers on appropriate de-worming methods. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?An independent study course was offered for one undergraduate, and six undergraduate interns also participated in hands-on learning with the project in 2022. WVU hosted the Student Organic Seed Symposium including conference meetings and a Farm Tour on July 27-30, 2022. The Tour included field tours of variety evaluations plots, a description of the sheep project, and a pasture tour. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Objective 5. Extend research results to organic and conventional sheep and goat producers throughout the Northeast via Extension fact sheets, workshops, pasture walks, field days, and maintenance of the project website. IPM/ FAMACHA© Training ZOOM Workshop for North Country NY (St. Lawrence County CCE), Sept 15th, 2021. 2 hours. Betsy Hodge, tatiana Stanton, ZOOM presenter. Hands-on portion was done in St. Lawrence Cty (7 participants) and Steuben Cty (1 participant) separately. Eight farmers and CCE educator certified in FAMACHA. Twelve others also accessed the recording. IPM/ FAMACHA© Training Workshop for Herkimer County CCE, Herkimer, NY. Sept 28, 2021. tatiana Stanton and Janice Liotta, instructors, 5 hrs. 11 farmers and CCE educator certified in FAMACHA. IPM/ FAMACHA© Training Workshop for Chautauqua County CCE, Jamestown, NY. Oct 16, 2021. tatiana Stanton and Janice Liotta, instructors, 4.5 hrs. 15 farmers and CCE educator certified in FAMACHA. Cornell Cooperative Extension Virtual Ag In-Service Conference Session 15: Small Ruminant Update - Birdsfoot trefoil grazing studies. Nov. 18, 2021. tatiana Stanton, presenter, 0.5 hrs. 18 CCE educators. Virtual Workshop: Goat Parasites 101, sponsored by Cashmere Goat Assoc., UCONN 4-H and Cornell Univ. Mar. 9, 2022. Tatiana Stanton, instructor, 2.5 hr. 98 adult and 4-H goat owners. Vermont IPM/ FAMACHA© Training ZOOM Workshop, Lectures Part 1 & 2, May 9 and 16, 2021, tatiana Stanton co-presenter, 3 hr. 40 and 31 goat and sheep farmers and UVM extension educators for Part 1 and 2 respectively. Vermont IPM/ FAMACHA© Training Hands-on Portion, Whiting, VT. May 23, 2021. tatiana Stanton and Janice Liotta, co-instructors. Participants attended one of two 3 hr. sessions. 27 goat and sheep farmers and UVM extension educators were certified in FAMACHA. Connecticut IPM/ FAMACHA© Training, CT. Jun 5, 2021. tatiana Stanton, co-instructor, 4 hr. Ten 4-H and adult goat owners. IPM/ FAMACHA© Training Workshop for Chemung County CCE, Horseheads, NY. Jun 11, 2021. tatiana Stanton and Janice Liotta, co-instructors. 16 goat and sheep farmers and 4-Hers. One Vet. Tech trained as FAMACHA© instructor and later received instructor certification. Cornell 2022 Sheep & Goat Symposium: Research Update on Potential Tools to Manage Internal Parasites in Pastured Small Ruminants, Ithaca, NY. Sept 17, 2021. Katherine Petersson and Elizabeth Kass, co-presenters, 1 hr. 30 goat and sheep farmers and extension educators. IPM/ FAMACHA© Training Workshop at the Amer. Dairy Goat Assoc. (ADGA) National Convention, Syracuse, NY. Oct 3, 2022. 5 hr. tatiana Stanton and Jan Liotta, co-instructors. 20 goat owners and extension educators attended lectures, 15 people were certified (1 CCE educator trained as FAMACHA© instructor and later received instructor certification). Amer. Assoc. Sm. Ruminant Practitioners Vet. Continuing Education Program at the ADGA Nat'l Conv. Session 5: Best management practices for integrated gastrointestinal parasite control in small ruminants, Syracuse, NY. Oct 2, 2022. Katherine Petersson. 1 hr. 35 veterinarians, vet techs and goat raisers. AASRP Vet. CE Program at ADGA Nat'l Conv. Session 6: Updates on use of birdsfoot trefoil, cranberry vine pellets & Bacillus thuringiensis crystal proteins for gastrointestinal parasite control in small ruminants, Syracuse, NY. Oct 2, 2022. Katherine Petersson and Elizabeth Kass. 1 hr. 35 veterinarians, vet techs and goat raisers. Dairy Sheep Assoc. of North America Virtual Symposium: Update on Internal Parasite Control in Dairy Ewes. Nov 9, 2022. Katherine Petersson, presenter. 1 hr. 56 dairy sheep producers, researchers and extension educators attended this virtual presentation. URI continued to provide online trainings and maintain the project homepage and events page. https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/orgbft/Objective 6. Evaluate success of outreach activities through surveys of farmers and participants at workshops, as well as economic performance analyses of farmers participating in on-farm trials, or other adoption of management recommendations. Farmers at the IPM/ FAMACHA© Training on Aug 17, 2021 returned pre and post quizzes and answered questions on their plans. Scores were 40.3 % for pre-quizzes and 61.2% for post quizzes, respectively. When asked about parasite management changes, five, four, two and one respondents, respectively, indicated that they planned to 1) make improvements in pasture and/or barnyard and kidding pasture management, 2) start or make improvements in multispecies (cattle or horses with small ruminants) grazing management, 3) explore the use of copper oxide wire particles as part of their barber pole worm control strategy or 4) explore herbal dewormer options. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?WVU will complete data analysis and summarize results of lamb grazing trials and birdsfoot trefoil planting methods in research and extension publications. Data from on-farm grazing demonstrations will be statistically analyzed at Cornell. Samples to assess soil health parameters were taken in 2022 and will be compared to parameters prior to establishment of the trial pastures. A final Advisory Committee ZOOM conference will be organized for the four participating farms, researchers, and extension staff to network about results, conclusions, and future questions. Dr. tatiana Stanton to do 75 min. talk at the Virtual Sheep and Goat Workshop, Feb 2-5, 2023 on "Important considerations in forage management on organic goat & sheep farms with regard to rumen health, ruminant nutrition and internal parasite control". The workshop will cover organic methods to establish legumes in pastures comparing pros and cons of complete pasture renovation versus less invasive methods of establishing different plant species as well as discuss the results of our BFT grazing on-farm studies, etc. We have already conducted additional in person IPM/ FAMACHA© Training workshops in September and October 2021 as well as presenting results on BFT and clover biomass establishment for different planting methods (traditional tillage, no till, spring harrow "scratching", frost seeding and mud seeding) during the Small Ruminant Livestock Section of the NYS Cornell Cooperative Extension Virtual In-Service Training in Nov 2021. More trainings are scheduled for 2022 and two of the farmers conducting the BFT establishment and grazing trials plan to present their experiences at producer meetings in 2022. We will also develop fact sheets on organic methods to establish legumes in pastures comparing pros and cons of complete pasture renovation versus less invasive methods of establishing different plant species. URI will complete the freeze-drying and sample preparation and will begin the analysis of in-vitro anti-parasitic activity for the 2020 BFT variety harvest in addition to tannin and isoflavone content. A third year of yield data on the variety plots will be collected We now have a list serv for our BFT demo farmers, researchers, student interns and educators. The list serv saw little traffic this summer. However, we will use it to organize a group ZOOM conference to discuss results for the 2020 and 2021 grazing seasons.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
These experiments evaluate ways to improve establishment of birdsfoot trefoil pastures to prevent intestinal parasite infection in sheep. This may reduce economic losses for organic growers from reduced weight gains and loss of organic certification due to use of synthetic deworming agents. The methods may benefit conventional sheep growers by reducing need for deworming agents and slowing development of parasite resistance. Objective 1. Evaluate agronomic practices to improve BFT establishment in existing pastures. Trials established in 2019 at the WVU Organic Research Farm to evaluate the effect of soil fertility, cultivar, and tillage treatments on establishment of birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) in existing pastures were completed in 2022. Plots in a low-phosphorus pasture were unamended or amended with bone meal to supply 89 pounds P/acre. A high-P pasture was unamended, creating three phosphorus fertility levels. Four high-tannin forages (Delaney sanfoin, and Bull, Bruce and Norcen BFT) were planted using a Truax drill with either coulters or 3-inch sweeps to open sod in Sept. 2019. Additional plots were frost seeded in Feb. 2020, and again March 11, 2021. A new trial evaluated some of these treatments in a spring planting established on the low-phosphorus pasture. Five forages (Delaney and Shoshone sanfoin, and Bruce, Bull and Norcen BFT) were planted with the Truax drill using coulters versus 3-inch sweeps on April 28, 2021. Another trial evaluated the effect of seven forage grass species on BFT establishment. The grasses were established in 1.2 m2 plots in Fall 2020, and Norcen BFT was planted into the sod on April 28, 2021. Frost seeding was less successful in 2021 than in 2020, and the spring 2021 planting did not improve stands compared to the Fall 2019 planting. Sanfoin did not persist in any treatments in 2021. Norcen BFT planted with sweeps was the only treatment to persist through Fall 2021, but plant density did not reach the targeted 30 % of the pasture stand in any treatment. Significantly more BFT occurred in plots with bunch grasses (e.g., orchard grass, perennial ryegrass, timothy) than with rhizomatous grasses (e.g., smooth brome, tall fescue, reed canary grass, or Kentucky bluegrass). In summary, while BFT can be established into existing pastures if aided by sweeps, plant density was very low and did not reach the levels routinely achieved by planting into cultivated seed beds. Laboratory and greenhouse trials evaluated allelopathy by against birdsfoot trefoil by eight common forage grasses. Germination and root elongation of birdsfoot trefoil seeds were inhibited by water extracts of leaves and root leachates. Leaf extracts from reed canary grass and tall fescue were more inhibitory than extracts from Kentucky bluegrass, timothy or orchard grass. Extracts from leaves of smooth brome, meadow fescue, and perennial ryegrass produced intermediate inhibition of germination and root elongation in birdsfoot trefoil. In a field trial, interplanting birdsfoot trefoil into existing swards of reed canary grass and smooth brome produced the lowest trefoil stands, whereas perennial ryegrass, timothy and orchard grass had highest trefoil stands. Planting with sweeps again produced better stands than with coulters alone. Objective 2. Compare efficacy of BFT pastures and supplemental feed in field-scale grazing trials ... Twelve pastures were established at the WVU Organic Research Farm in Fall 2019. Three 1.25-acre pastures each were planted with Norcen birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) or Bull BFT, and six with orchard grass and red clover (OG/RC). Grazing trials with six lambs per plot were conducted for 90 days, beginning in June 2022. Body weight, body condition index, FAMACHA scores and Fecal Egg Counts were conducted at 14-day intervals. Pasture forage was supplemented with corn and soybean in all plots at 0.75 % of body weight, but additional soybean was fed to lambs in half of the OG/RC plots to balance the protein content of BFT pastures (Total grain = 0.94 % body weight/day). Lambs with high FAMACHA scores (4 or greater) were treated with a synthetic dewormer (Cydectin) as needed. Wet weather in 2022 produced high levels of infection, however, trefoil stands in the plots had declined compared to previous years. Slightly more lambs on OG/RC required deworming than those on BFT and lambs on BFT had higher weight gain per day (0.31 versus 0.22 lbs/day) and higher body condition index than lambs on OG/RC. BFT was >5 % of the pasture forage through the 2022 season, thus differences were not statistically significant in 2022. Objective 3. Determine the effect of BFT cultivars on gastrointestinal nematodes .... In vitro testing of the anti-parasitic activity of 12 populations of BFT (Norcen, NB95-118, Langille, Witt, LTAN-17, Bruce, Pardee, MSP4068, BuUr-13, Leo, NB95-120, and Wellington) is underway at the University of Rhode Island. This randomized and replicated variety trial was established in the fall of 2019 with Leo as the check. Plots were harvested on June 29, 2020 and again on August 24, 2020. Two 0.5 kg subsamples were collected. One subsample from each plot was immediately frozen until freeze-drying. The other subsample was dried to constant moisture in a forced air cabinet at 40? to simulate haying. Frozen samples were shipped on dry ice to the Forage Testing Laboratory at the Univ. of Missouri for freeze drying. After samples were freeze-dried or air-dried, all samples were ground (Wiley Mill, 1mm screen). Extracts (organic solvent, inorganic and aqueous) are being prepared for testing for anthelmintic activity. Objective 4. Demonstrate research results in on-farm trials with select farmers. Four farms participating in field grazing trials with Cornell Univ. started grazing studies in July 2021, comparing a control pasture with a pasture planted with BFT. Forage samples at a farm in Oneida County, NY averaged 14, 4, 9% clover on 7/23, 8/06 and 8/21/21, respectively; and 94, 99, 98 and 88% BFT on 7/23, 8/06, 8/21, 9/04/21, respectively. The BFT pasture was replanted in 2020 but because of drought conditions, numerous bald spots were frost seeded with more BFT on 3/30/21 and had a lot of Canadian thistle so only areas where the BFT emerged were sampled. In the grazing studies, all lambs and kids were weighed at the beginning and end of each 8-week trial. Fecal samples and FAMACHA scores were taken every two weeks. Total strongyle and strongyloides worm eggs per gram (epg) for each fecal sample were determined. A lectin binding stain using a peanut agglutinin (PNA) was used to determine the percentage of Haemonchus contortus eggs among the Strongyle epg in the 1st (Day 0), 3rd (~Day 28), and 5th (~Day 56) fecal sample from each animal. Forage samples from the BFT and control pastures, taken every two weeks during the grazing studies, were divided into BFT, non-BFT legume, broadleaves and grasses/sedges prior to drying. Follow-up soil health samples were collected at each of the 4 farms in the grazing studies in 2022. Data analysis is on-going. Objective 5. Extend research results ...See description in Box # 3. Objective 6. Evaluate success of outreach...See description in Box # 3.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Blake, N. and J. Kotcon. 2021. Forage grass allelopathy in birdsfoot trefoil pasture establishment. Ecological Society of America Virtual Annual Meeting. Held on-line. Aug. 2-6, 2021. Available at: https://www.eventscribe.net/2021/ESA/fsPopup.asp?Mode=posterinfo&PosterID=407007
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/orgbft/
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Kotcon. J. 2022. Pasture ecology. Three presentations and a pasture walk at the WVU Organic Farm Field Day, Aug. 27, 2022.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Kotcon. J. 2022. Monitoring and Managing Barberpole Worm in Organic Sheep. Video presentation at the WVU Organic Farm Field Day, Aug. 27, 2022. Available on-line at: https://fieldday.wvu.edu/
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2022
Citation:
Blake, N. Establishing Birdsfoot Trefoil in Existing Pastures. Poster presentation at the WVU Organic Farm Field Day, Aug. 27, 2022. Available on-line at: https://fieldday.wvu.edu/
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Informational flyer. Overcoming barriers to transitioning small ruminants to organic production: Effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil on parasite control, nutritional status & profitability.
(https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/files/BFT-USDA-ORG-Flyer_6.24.19.pdf)
|
Progress 09/01/20 to 08/31/21
Outputs
Target Audience:The Target Audiences are sheep and goat producers in the Northeast US. Grower trials are planned to demonstrated effectiveness of birdsfoot trefoil to suppress intestinal parasites, and parasite workshops and grower presentations will be held, including one focused on veterinarians. Field days and pasture walks focusing on organic management of sheep and goats and forage management to reduce parasite infection in sheep and goats will be held, as well as workshops on alternative forages with potential to assist in parasite management for participating researchers and farmers. Changes/Problems:At WVU, drought conditions in 2020 slowed plant growth in birdsfoot trefoil pastures, resulting in a shift to lower-than-planned stocking rates. In addition, the COVID-19 epidemic prevented us from staffing the project at expected levels, thus the planned fall-2020 planting at WVU was not done, and while forage samples were collected for condensed tannin analyses, these have not yet been processed. An additional set of laboratory experiments was added to assess allelopathy of pasture grasses against birdsfoot trefoil. Trays (30-50-cm) were planted with eight common pasture grass species (tall fescue, meadow fescue, timothy, orchard grass, blue grass, reed canary grass, perennial ryegrass, and smooth brome grass) and maintained in the greenhouse. Shoot tissues were harvested after 60 days and dried, and ground. Extracts were prepared by mixing 0, 1.875, 3.75, 7.5 and 15 g in 25 ml distilled water. Three ml of each extract was placed on filter papers in petri dishes, and 20 birdsfoot trefoil seeds were added to assess effects of germination. Germination of birdsfoot trefoil was inhibited at the highest concentration of extracts of all grasses. Kentucky bluegrass, orchard grass, smooth brome and timothy were significantly less inhibitory than the other grasses at lower concentrations. Additional work is planned to evaluate allelopathy of root extracts as well as shoot extracts. Changes in land use and COVID-19 also precluded work at University of Rhode Island (URI). A change of objectives was approved by USDA in July, 202 to change Objective 3. In lieu of forage trials, URI is evaluating the Condensed Tannin profiles of birdsfoot trefoil forage preserved via freezing versus drying, and will characterize in vitro anti-parasitic activity of these samples. Persistence of anti-parasitic activity in storage will also be assessed using laboratory assays of the effects of birdsfoot trefoil extracts on egg hatch, larval motility, exsheathment, and growth. Goats in the control flock in Jefferson County, NY became heavily infected with multiple parasites in 2021, exacerbated by limited nutrition and previous contamination of their pastures. Affected animals were dewormed but two goats died. Additional efforts to improve animal care and use will include instructions to growers on appropriate de-worming methods. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Training opportunities were limited by on-going COVID restrictions. An independent study course was offered for one undergraduate, and six undergraduate interns also participated in hands-on learning with the project in 2021. WVU hosted a virtual NE-SARE Farm Tour on July 29, 2021 with a short video describing the sheep project and an on-line interactive tour. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?Objective 5. Extend research results to organic and conventional sheep and goat producers throughout the Northeast via Extension fact sheets, workshops, pasture walks, field days, and maintenance of the project website. Parasite Mgmt./FAMACHA© section of Cornell Sheep Management Class, Ithaca, NY. Mar 30 through Apr 2, 2021. Lecturer (tatiana Stanton) and hands-on lab instructor (Janice Liotta). 8 hrs. 42 university animal science students completed all activities to be certified in FAMACHA. ZOOM Mini-Conference for "Overcoming barriers to transitioning small ruminants to organic production: effects of feeding birdsfoot trefoil on parasite control, nutritional status and profitability". Apr 26, 2021. 1 ½ hr. Advisory committee of 4 goat and sheep farmers enrolled in the planting and grazing study and 6 researchers, extensionists and graduate students. IPM/ FAMACHA© Training Workshop for Madison County CCE, Morrisville, NY. Aug 17, 2021. tatiana Stanton and Janice Liotta, instructors, 5 hrs. 10 farmers certified in FAMACHA. Pasture Walk at Peaceful By Nature Farm: Pasture reclamation & small ruminant grazing Norwich, NY, Aug 27, 2021. Karen Hoffman, Jack Salo, tatiana Stanton, presenters, 2 hr. ---experienced and prospective goat and sheep farmers. Ongoing on-farm grazing study was discussed and observed in depth. Northeast Organic Farmers Assoc.-NY Pasture Walk at Cross Island Farms Experiences establishing birdsfoot trefoil in goat and beef pastures using small tractor implements and hand tools. Co-hosted by CCE North Country Regional Ag Team, Wellesley Island, NY, Aug 30, 2021. David Belding, tatiana Stanton, Kitty O'Neil, presenters, 2 hr. 7 experienced and prospective goat and sheep farmers. Terminating on-farm grazing study was discussed and observed in depth. WVU hosted the annual Organic Farm Field Day on Aug. 28, 2021, with approximately 85 people in attendance. An on-line version was also provided (available at: https://fieldday.wvu.edu/ ), with the website recording 26 visitors on that day, and dozens more since. URI continued to provide online trainings and maintain the project homepage and events page. https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/orgbft/ Objective 6. Evaluate success of outreach activities through surveys of farmers and participants at workshops, as well as economic performance analyses of farmers participating in on-farm trials, or other adoption of management recommendations. Farmers at the IPM/ FAMACHA© Training on Aug 17, 2021 returned pre and post quizzes and answered questions on their plans. Scores were 40.3 % for pre-quizzes and 61.2% for post quizzes, respectively. When asked about parasite management changes, five, four, two and one respondents, respectively, indicated that they planned to 1) make improvements in pasture and/or barnyard and kidding pasture management, 2) start or make improvements in multispecies (cattle or horses with small ruminants) grazing management, 3) explore the use of copper oxide wire particles as part of their barber pole worm control strategy or 4) explore herbal dewormer options. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?WVU will determine stand density and overwintering survival in established pastures and will repeat grazing trials in high-tannin forage pastures. Small plots will assess allelopathy and competition from eight forage grass species. Results will be summarized in research and extension publications. Data from on-farm grazing demonstrations will be statistically analyzed at Cornell. Soil health parameters will be taken in Spring 2022 and compared to parameters prior to establishment of the trial pastures. A final Advisory Committee ZOOM conference will be organized for the four participating farms, researchers, and extension staff to network about results, conclusions, and future questions. We have already conducted additional in person IPM/ FAMACHA© Training workshops in September and October 2021 as well as presenting results on BFT and clover biomass establishment for different planting methods (traditional tillage, no till, spring harrow "scratching", frost seeding and mud seeding) during the Small Ruminant Livestock Section of the NYS Cornell Cooperative Extension Virtual In-Service Training in Nov 2021. More trainings are scheduled for 2022 and two of the farmers conducting the BFT establishment and grazing trials plan to present their experiences at producer meetings in 2022. We will also develop fact sheets on organic methods to establish legumes in pastures comparing pros and cons of complete pasture renovation versus less invasive methods of establishing different plant species. We are still waiting for some of the farmers participating in the on-farm grazing trials to complete their spreadsheets on labor costs for frost seeding and weed control in their BFT fields for 2021 before we can summarize economic performance. URI will complete the freeze-drying and sample preparation and will begin the analysis of in-vitro anti-parasitic activity for the 2020 BFT variety harvest in addition to tannin and isoflavone content. A third year of yield data on the variety plots will be collected No till seeding and other planting methods were disappointing in 2019 and 2020 because of very difficult planting conditions throughout New York. All farms plan to do some frost seeding in their established stands this spring to try to boost the percentage of BFT in the fields. No till seeding presented problems as far as accessibility of equipment to farmers and timing seeding when pasture stubble was low enough to allow for good seed contact. It was hard for new BFT stands to compete with established grasses in no till or lightly tilled pastures. We now have a list serv for our BFT demo farmers, researchers, student interns and educators. The list serv saw little traffic this summer. However, we will use it to organize a group ZOOM conference to discuss results for the 2020 and 2021 grazing seasons.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
These experiments evaluate ways to improve establishment of birdsfoot trefoil pastures to prevent intestinal parasite infection in sheep. This may reduce economic losses for organic growers from reduced weight gains and loss of organic certification due to use of synthetic deworming agents. The methods may benefit conventional sheep growers by reducing need for deworming agents and slowing development of parasite resistance. Objective 1. Evaluate agronomic practices to improve BFT establishment in existing pastures. Trials established in 2019 at the WVU Organic Research Farm to evaluate the effect of soil fertility, cultivar, and tillage treatments on establishment of birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) in existing pastures were continued in 2021. Plots in a low-phosphorus pasture were unamended or amended with bone meal to supply 89 pounds P/acre. A high-P pasture was unamended, creating three phosphorus fertility levels. Four high-tannin forages (Delaney sanfoin, and Bull, Bruce and Norcen BFT) were planted using a Truax drill with either coulters or 3-inch sweeps to open sod in Sept. 2019. Additional plots were frost seeded in Feb. 2020, and again March 11, 2021. A new trial evaluated some of these treatments in a spring planting established on the low-phosphorus pasture. Five forages (Delaney and Shoshone sanfoin, and Bruce, Bull and Norcen BFT) were planted with the Truax drill using coulters versus 3-inch sweeps on April 28, 2021. Another trial evaluated the effect of seven forage grass species on BFT establishment. The grasses were established in 1.2 m2 plots in Fall 2020, and Norcen BFT was planted into the sod on April 28, 2021. Frost seeding was less successful in 2021 than in 2020, and the spring 2021 planting did not improve stands compared to the Fall 2019 planting. Sanfoin did not persist in any treatments in 2021. Norcen BFT planted with sweeps was the only treatment to persist through Fall 2021, but plant density did not reach the targeted 30 % of the pasture stand in any treatment. Significantly more BFT occurred in plots with bunch grasses (e.g., orchard grass, perennial ryegrass, timothy) than with rhizomatous grasses (e.g., smooth brome, tall fescue, reed canary grass, or Kentucky bluegrass). In summary, while BFT can be established into existing pastures if aided by sweeps, plant density was very low and did not reach the levels routinely achieved by planting into cultivated seed beds. Objective 2. Compare efficacy of BFT pastures and supplemental feed in field-scale grazing trials ... Twelve pastures were established at the WVU Organic Research Farm in Fall 2019. Three 1.25-acre pastures each were planted with Norcen birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) or Bull BFT, and six with orchard grass and red clover (OG/RC). Grazing trials with four lambs per plot were conducted for 90 days, in June 2020 and again with six lambs per plot in 2021. Body weight, body condition index, FAMACHA scores and Fecal Egg Counts were conducted at 14-day intervals. Pasture forage was supplemented with corn and soybean in all plots at 0.75 % of body weight, but additional soybean was fed to lambs in half of the OG/RC plots to balance the protein content of BFT pastures (Total grain = 0.94 % body weight/day). Lambs with high FAMACHA scores (4 or greater) were treated with a synthetic dewormer (Cydectin) as needed. Wetter weather in 2021 produced much higher levels of infection than in 2020. Significantly more lambs on OG/RC required deworming than those on BFT (74 % versus 43 %). Lambs on BFT had higher weight gain per day (0.31 versus 0.22 lbs/day) and higher body condition index than lambs on OG/RC. BFT was 30-50 % of the pasture forage through the 2021 season, and due to abundant pasture growth, lambs grazed less than 15 % of the available forage. Objective 3. Determine the effect of BFT cultivars on gastrointestinal nematodes .... In vitro testing of the anti-parasitic activity of 12 populations of BFT (Norcen, NB95-118, Langille, Witt, LTAN-17, Bruce, Pardee, MSP4068, BuUr-13, Leo, NB95-120, and Wellington) is underway at the University of Rhode Island. This randomized and replicated variety trial was established in the fall of 2019 with Leo as the check. Plots were harvested on June 29, 2020 and again on August 24, 2020. Two 0.5 kg subsamples were collected. One subsample from each plot was immediately frozen until freeze-drying. The other subsample was dried to constant moisture in a forced air cabinet at 40? to simulate haying. Frozen samples were shipped on dry ice to the Forage Testing Laboratory at the Univ. of Missouri for freeze drying. After samples were freeze-dried or air-dried, all samples were ground (Wiley Mill, 1mm screen). Extracts (organic solvent, inorganic and aqueous) are being prepared for testing for anthelmintic activity. Yield data were again collected in 2021 using the same methods as in 2020. June yields averaged 6500 kg/ha dry matter; August yields averaged 1800 kg/ha. Leo continues to perform in the middle of the pack; over the two years combined only NB95-118 significantly out-yielded Leo at P = 0.05. However, Norcen, Pardee and Wellington had numerically greater yields than Leo. Objective 4. Demonstrate research results in on-farm trials with select farmers. Four farms participating in field grazing trials with Cornell Univ. started grazing studies in July 2021, comparing a control pasture with a pasture planted with BFT. Forage samples at a farm in Oneida County, NY averaged 14, 4, 9% clover on 7/23, 8/06 and 8/21/21, respectively; and 94, 99, 98 and 88% BFT on 7/23, 8/06, 8/21, 9/04/21, respectively. The BFT pasture was replanted in 2020 but because of drought conditions, numerous bald spots were frost seeded with more BFT on 3/30/21 and had a lot of Canadian thistle so only areas where the BFT emerged were sampled. A farm in Cortland County no-till seeded half of their study field in Manitoba red clover and Rivendell white clover, and the other half was seeded in Bull BFT. On 5/29/21, the clover half averaged 9% clover, 4% BFT, 1511 lb. DM/acre and the BFT half averaged 13% BFT, 6.2% clover, 1834 lb. DM/acre. An area within the clover border appeared to be primarily BFT possibly due to either drift from the March 2021 frost seeding or preferential survival of volunteer BFT over clover during the 2020 drought along this ridge. Therefore, the clover paddocks sometimes contained more BFT than the BFT paddocks. A farm in Jefferson County frost seeded additional BFT on 3/21/21. During the grazing study, the BFT paddocks averaged 57, 42, 33, 33% BFT on 7/04, 7/18, 8/01 and 8/15/21 respectively. The quantity and quality of nutrition in the control pastures was lower than that of the BFT pastures throughout the study. Control kids were supplemented with ¼ lb. organic alfalfa pellets per day. Forage samples at a farm in Chenango County in the BFT paddocks ranged from 12-54 % during the grazing study. In the grazing studies, all lambs and kids were weighed at the beginning and end of each 8-week trial. Fecal samples and FAMACHA scores were taken every two weeks. Total strongyle and strongyloides worm eggs per gram (epg) for each fecal sample were determined. A lectin binding stain using a peanut agglutinin (PNA) was used to determine the percentage of Haemonchus contortus eggs among the Strongyle epg in the 1st (Day 0), 3rd (~Day 28), and 5th (~Day 56) fecal sample from each animal. Forage samples from the BFT and control pastures, taken every two weeks during the grazing studies, were divided into BFT, non-BFT legume, broadleaves and grasses/sedges prior to drying. Data analysis is on-going. Objective 5. Extend research results ...See description in Box # 3. Objective 6. Evaluate success of outreach...See description in Box # 3.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Blake, N. and J. Kotcon. 2021. Forage grass allelopathy in birdsfoot trefoil pasture establishment. Ecological Society of America Virtual Annual Meeting. Held on-line. Aug. 2-6, 2021. Available at: https://www.eventscribe.net/2021/ESA/fsPopup.asp?Mode=posterinfo&PosterID=407007
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2021
Citation:
Blake, N., and Kotcon, J. 2021. Forage Grasses and the Impact on Birdsfoot Trefoil. Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association Annual Meeting. On-Line. Feb. 11-14, 2020.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
" Webpage listing the resources used in the IPM/FAMACHA workshops conducted through the project - http://blogs.cornell.edu/smallruminantparasites/resources-for-educators/
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Progress 09/01/19 to 08/31/20
Outputs
Target Audience:The Target Audiences are sheep and goat producers in the Northeast US. Grower trials are planned to demonstrated effectiveness of birdsfoot trefoil to suppress intestinal parasites, and parasite workshops and grower presentations will be held, including one focused on veterinarians. Field days and pasture walks focusing on organic management of sheep and goats and forage management to reduce parasite infection in sheep and goats will be held, as well as workshops on alternative forages with potential to assist in parasite management for participating researchers and farmers. Changes/Problems:At WVU, drought conditions slowed plant growth in birdsfoot trefoil pastures, resulting in a shift to lower-than-planned stocking rates. In addition, the COVID-19 epidemic prevented us from staffing the project at expected levels, thus the planned fall-2020 planting at WVU was not done, and while forage samples were collected for condensed tannin analyses, these have not yet been processed. An additional set of laboratory experiments was added to assess allelopathy of pasture grasses against birdsfoot trefoil. Trays (30-50-cm) were planted with eight common pasture grass species (tall fescue, meadow fescue, timothy, orchard grass, blue grass, reed canary grass, perennial ryegrass, and smooth brome grass) and maintained in the greenhouse. Shoot tissues were harvested after 60 days and dried, and ground. Extracts were prepared by mixing 0, 1.875, 3.75, 7.5 and 15 g in 25 ml distilled water. Three ml of each extract was placed on filter papers in petri dishes, and 20 birdsfoot trefoil seeds were added to assess effects of germination. Germination of birdsfoot trefoil as inhibited at the highest concentration of extracts of all grasses. Kentucky bluegrass, orchard grass, smooth brome and timothy were significantly less inhibitory than the other grasses at lower concentrations. Additional work is planned to evaluate allelopathy of root extracts as well as shoot extracts. Changes in land use and COVID-19 also precluded work at University of Rhode Island (URI). A change of objectives was approved by USDA in July to change Objective 3. In lieu of forage trials, URI will evaluate the Condensed Tannin profiles of birdsfoot trefoil forage preserved via freezing versus drying, and will characterize in vitro anti-parasitic activity of these samples. Persistence of anti-parasitic activity in storage will also be assessed using laboratory assays of the effects of birdsfoot trefoil extracts on egg hatch, larval motility, exsheathment, and growth. Severe drought at URI impacted BFT harvest yields. Poor planting conditions (extreme wet) delayed spring planting for New York growers in 2019 at two of the four farms and caused a failed planting at a third farm. At the fourth farm, the massive spring vegetative growth was still too thick in the fall despite grazing with lambs for the no till drill to penetrate the planned pasture. Instead, we had to do a fall no-till seeding into a different set of pastures that had been grazed more aggressively by the milking ewe flock. Because of weather, this fall seeding was also delayed a month past our planned seeding date and we will have to wait to see how successful it was as the BFT was seeded later than normally considered optimal. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Two graduate students (one each at WVU and URI) developed skills in sheep management, parasite monitoring, and research methods. Six undergraduate students were employed to assist with the sheep research and became skilled at a variety of field and laboratory techniques. In addition, the project provided training to five undergraduate interns at WVU and served as demonstrations/field trips for several undergraduate classes in Agriculture. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A number of grower workshops were held to disseminate information about birdsfoot trefoil specifically, and sheep parasite management generally, were held during this reporting period. IPM/ FAMACHA© Training Workshop for Saratoga County CCE, Ballston Springs, NY. Sept 24, 2019. 5 hrs. Ten farmers and a CCE educator were certified in FAMACHA. Also met with a local veterinarian for 1 hr. to discuss parasite management techniques and selective deworming which this veterinarian had previously found to be a frustrating topic. Small Ruminant Parasites. Sponsored by Cornell Univ. Chapter of Amer. Assoc. of Sm. Ruminant Practitioner. Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY, Oct 31, 2019. tatiana Stanton presented for 1 hr. to 37 Cornell veterinary students with a small ruminant interest. Sheep & Goat Health & Parasite Management Workshop. Waterloo, NY. Nov 20, 2019. Tatiana Stanton: co-instructor, 4 hr. twelve Amish goat & sheep farmers. Two hours of internal parasite instruction and 2 hours of field necropsies by state veterinarian. Innovations in Parasite Management Workshop at the 2019 Small Ruminant Management & Fiber Conference, Cornell Univ., Ithaca, NY, Nov 9, 2029. tatiana Stanton presented for 1 hr. 40 min. to 46 goat and sheep raisers and educators from throughout the US., ONT Province and Italy. "Grazing Methods for Internal Parasite Control in Small Ruminants" at NOFA-NY Winter Conference, Jan 18, 2020. 1.25 hr. 35 goat and sheep growers. Workshops and field days later in the year were canceled because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, farmers and educators seeking IPM/ FAMACHA© Training were directed to the URI online training program at https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/famacha/ . URI also assisted with the maintenance of the project webpage (https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/orgbft/) and events page. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?WVU will determine stand density and overwintering survival in established pastures, and will repeat grazing trials in high-tannin forage pastures. Small plots will assess allelopathy and competition from eight forage grass species. URI will complete the freeze-drying and sample preparation and will begin the analysis of in-vitro anti-parasitic activity for the 2020 BFT variety harvest in addition to tannin and isoflavone content. During the summer of 2021 BFT varieties will again be harvested, prepared and analyzed for production characteristics as well as content of tannins and other isoflavones in addition to in vitro anti-parasitic activity. In New York, one farm will replant their birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) in spring 2020. Two other farms will also plant BFT in 2020. The farm that planted BFT in Fall 2019 plans to have their lamb grazing trial in summer/fall 2020. The other 3 grazing trials will be postponed until 2021. Several parasite and pasture management workshops are already scheduled for Winter 2020 including one presentation on "Advanced grazing for parasite control" at the NOFA-NY Winter Conference Jan 17-19. Cornell also has several parasite and pasture management workshops scheduled for fall 2019 and winter 2020. We hope to resume our in-person parasite and pasture management trainings as well as conduct a ZOOM conference for the BFT demo farmers, students and researchers. No till seeding and other planting methods were disappointing in 2019 and 2020 because of very difficult planting conditions throughout New York. All farms plan to do some frost seeding in their established stands this spring to try to boost the percentage of BFT in the fields. No till seeding presented problems as far as accessibility of equipment to farmers and timing seeding when pasture stubble was low enough to allow for good seed contact. It was hard for new BFT stands to compete with established grasses in no till or lightly tilled pastures. We now have a list serv for our BFT demo farmers, researchers, student interns and educators. The list serv saw little traffic this summer. However, we will use it to organize a group ZOOM conference to discuss results for the 2020 grazing season and plans for 2021.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
These experiments evaluate ways to improve establishment of birdsfoot trefoil pastures to prevent intestinal parasite infection in sheep. This may reduce economic losses for organic growers from reduced weight gains and loss of organic certification due to use of synthetic deworming agents. The methods may benefit conventional sheep growers by reducing need for deworming agents and slowing development of parasite resistance. Objective 1. Evaluate agronomic practices to improve BFT establishment in existing pastures. Two trials were established at the WVU Organic Research Farm to evaluate the effect of soil fertility, cultivar, and tillage treatments on establishment of birdsfoot trefoil in existing pastures. Soils were limed in June, 2019. Baseline plant community structure was assessed in Summer 2019. Half of the plots in the low-phosphorus pasture were amended with bone meal to supply 89 pounds P/acre. A high-P pasture was unamended, creating three phosphorus fertility levels. Four high-tannin forage cultivars (Delaney sanfoin, and Bull, Bruce and Norcen birdsfoot trefoil) were planted using a Truax drill with either coulters or 3-inch sweeps to open sod in Sept. Additional plots were frost seeded in Feb. 2020. Emergence data found higher seedling emergence using sweeps than coulters in fall 2019 plantings. Delaney sanfoin and all birdsfoot trefoil cultivars responded well to frost seeding in Feb. 2020 in low fertility plots, but stands declined by fall, 2020. Danish tines (sweeps) resulted in better stands than coulters. In a high fertility site, Norcen and Bull birdsfoot trefoil had significantly better stands than Delaney sanfoin by fall, 2002. Plant density did not reach the targeted 30 % of the pasture stand in any treatment. In summary, birdsfoot trefoil can be established into existing pastures if aided by sweeps, but plant density was low and did not reach the levels routinely achieved by planting into cultivated seed beds. Objective 2. Compare efficacy of BFT pastures and supplemental feed in field-scale grazing trials . Three 1.25-acre pastures were planted with Norcen birdsfoot trefoil, 3 with Bull birdsfoot trefoil, and 6 with orchard grass/red clover were established at the WVU Organic Research Farm in Fall 2019. Grazing trials with lambs were conducted for 90 days, beginning in June 2020. Four lambs per plot were rotationally grazed on paddocks for 7 days, followed by a 21-day rest. Body weight, body condition index, FAMACHA scores and Fecal Egg Counts were conducted at 14-day intervals. Lambs with high FAMACHA scores (4 or greater) were treated with a synthetic dewormer (Cydectin) as needed. Only 6 % of lambs grazed on birdsfoot trefoil required treatment, whereas 21 % of those on orchard grass/red clover were treated with deworming medication. The rate of parasite infection was lower than expected due to a prolonged drought which reduced parasite larval dispersal and infection. Total Weight Gain of lambs averaged 0.638 lb/day on BFT versus 0.60 lb/day on OG/RC (not statistically significant). The stocking rate of lambs (~ 4 per acre) was relatively low, and clip samples of forage showed that only 10-20 % of available forage was consumed. Thus, pastures remained in very good condition all season, in spite of the prolonged drought. Objective 3. Determine the effect of feeding BFT processed as either hay, high- moisture hay or pellets on experimental and pasture gastrointestinal nematode infections in lambs. The scope of work for objective 3 was changed from animal feed trials using forage grown at URI to in vitro testing of the anti-parasitic activity of 12 populations of BFT established in the fall of 2019 on organic land located at the Agronomy Farm at the University of Rhode Island. The new objective will determine the effect of drying method, harvest date and length of storage on the in vitro anti-parasitic bioactivity of aqueous and organic fractions of 12 cultivars of BFT. Cultivars Norcen, NB95-118, Langille, Witt, LTAN-17, Bruce, Pardee, MSP4068, BuUr-13, Leo, NB95-120, Wellington and Leo were established in the fall of 2019. The trial entries were harvested on June 29, 2020 and again on August 24, 2020. At harvest each plot was clipped to a height of 12.5 cm to simulate mowing and the herbage was collected and weighed. One 0.5-kg subsample from each plot was immediately frozen and held at -20? until freeze-drying. Another 0.5-kg subsample was dried to constant moisture in a forced air cabinet at 40? to simulate haying. Frozen samples were freeze-dried at the Forage Testing Laboratory at the University of Missouri. After samples were freeze-dried or air-dried, samples were ground (Wiley Mill, 1mm screen). Objective 4. Demonstrate research results in on-farm trials with select farmers. On-farm demonstration were planned by Cornell., but no farms conducted grazing trials in 2020. Weather conditions for planting in both 2019 and 2020 were very challenging. One farm no till seeded a ~3-acre strip of pasture to red and white clover on 8/27/19 and a bordering 3-acre strip to cv. Bull birdsfoot trefoil on 9/01/19. Stands were less than the target of ≥25% biomass of clover and BFT respectively when forage was sampled on 5/27/2020. This farmer objected to weaning lambs from dairy ewes because of the effect of the COVID19 lockdown in NY on their cheese market. Additionally, Cornell University was closed to students through the summer. Therefore, a decision was made to postpone their lamb grazing trials until 2021. On 10/09/2020, the clover strip averaged 14.9% clover plus 5.6% BFT in the dried biomass. The BFT strip averaged 11.2% BFT plus 2.4% clovers in the dried biomass. The bulk of the biomass in both strips was unpalatable dead grass. Three other farms attempted to plant in 2020 despite a cold early spring followed immediately by persistent drought conditions. One farm was planted to Bull BFT on 8/12/2020. Some seed emerged 8/25/2020 but due to drought, the field was too short on 10/11/2020 to obtain any forage samples. Both other farms had planned to use no till seeding but were unable to. Objective 5. Extend research results to organic and conventional sheep and goat producers throughout the Northeast via Extension fact sheets, workshops, pasture walks, field days, and maintenance of the project website. Five workshops were held between Sept. 24, 20189 and Jan. 18, 2020, and reached 1o3 growers, and 38 veterinary students and practitioners. Workshops later in the year were canceled because of the COVID19 Pandemic. Instead, farmers and educators seeking IPM/ FAMACHA© Training were directed to the URI online training program at https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/famacha/ . URI also assisted with the maintenance of the project webpage (https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/orgbft/) and events page. Objective 6. Evaluate success of outreach activities through surveys of farmers and participants at workshops, as well as economic performance analyses of farmers participating in on-farm trials, or other adoption of management recommendations. Farmers at one FAMACHA parasite workshop this year returned pre and post quizzes and answered questions on their plans. Scores were 62.5% for pre-quizzes and 90.6% for post quizzes, respectively. When asked about parasite management changes, 1, 2, 3, 1 and 1 respondents, respectively, indicated that they planned to start or make improvements in 1) pasture and/or barnyard management, 2) five-point checks for selective deworming, 3) fecal egg monitoring for selective deworming, 4) dewormer use, or 5) nutrition targeted at the immune system.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Kotcon, J. High-Tannin Pasture Forages for Managing Intestinal Parasite in Sheep. Abstract # 88003. Ecological Society of America Annual Meeting. Held on-line. Aug. 3-6, 2020.
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Accepted
Year Published:
2020
Citation:
Blake, N., and Kotcon, J. 2020. Allelopathy in birdsfoot trefoil pasture establishment.. Ohio Ecological Food and Farming Association Annual Meeting. Dayton, OH. Feb. 13-15, 2020.
- Type:
Websites
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/orgbft/
" Webpage listing the resources used in the IPM/FAMACHA workshops conducted through the project - http://blogs.cornell.edu/smallruminantparasites/resources-for-educators/
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Progress 09/01/18 to 08/31/19
Outputs
Target Audience:The Target Audiences are sheep and goat producers in the Northeast US. Specifically, we will conduct field testing of birdsfoot trefoil pastures with four producers in 2019 to manage parasites in sheep or goats. Fiveparasite workshops and seven grower presentations were held from Oct. 2016 to November 2017, including one focused on veterinarians, with 15 veterinarian participants. Over 200 people participated in the workshops, and 167 people received FAMACHA training and certification.Seven field days and pasture walks focusing on organic management of sheep and goats and forage management to reduce parasite infection in sheep and goats were held during 2017. Workshops on alternative forages with potential to assist in parasite management were also taught by participating researchers and farmers. Changes/Problems:At WVU, drought conditions delayed plant emergence in birdsfoot trefoil pastures, resulting in exposure of young seedlings to early fall frosts. Significant reductions in stands were observed after these hard freezes. The experimental design of the planting/tillage trial was modified from that originally proposed. We substituted the use of sweeps for the rototiller in the planting trial, because we were concerned that rototilling would bring large numbers of weeds to the soil surface and increase weed competition with birdsfoot trefoil seedlings. In addition, we were unable to find organic seed of the Pardee birdsfoot trefoil originally proposed (seed crop failure by seed producers), thus we substituted the variety Norcen, and we added three pastures of the variety Bull to the grazing trial. Bull has higher levels of condensed tannins, but did not perform as well in parasite suppression in some laboratory trials. We decided to confirm this result in the field with the grazing experiment. Poor planting conditions (extreme wet) delayed spring planting for New York growers in 2019 at two of the four farms and caused a failed planting at a third farm. At the fourth farm, the massive spring vegetative growth was still too thick in the fall despite grazing with lambs for the no till drill to penetrate the planned pasture. Instead, we had to do a fall no-till seeding into a different set of pastures that had been grazed more aggressively by the milking ewe flock. Because of weather, this fall seeding was also delayed a month past our planned seeding date and we will have to wait to see how successful it was as the BFT was seeded later than normally considered optimal. What opportunities for training and professional development has the project provided?Cornell trained 44 undergraduate students in FAMACHA methods. WVU provided training for one graduate student and two undergraduates involved in pasture management trials. How have the results been disseminated to communities of interest?A workshop at the WVU Organic Farm Field Day, Aug. 25, 2019, described animal-parasitic nematodes in organic sheep and discussed the role of high-tannin forages in suppressing the problem. Cornell workshops and events: participants were from MA, NJ, NY, PA, TX, VT, and ONT province and Pakistan. These included: Oct 14, 2018 IPM/FAMACHA workshop at the 2018 Cornell Sheep & Goat Symposium, Ithaca, NY. 49 farmers and educators attended parasite talks, 36 farmers certified in FAMACHA Feb 6, 8, 28, Mar 4, 6, 8 IPM/FAMACHA section of Cornell Sheep Management Class, Ithaca, NY. 55 university animal science students attended all or part, 44 students certified in FAMACHA Feb 16, 2019 IPM/FAMACHA workshop for Chenango County Cornell Coop. Ext. (CCE), Norwich, NY. 15 farmers certified in FAMACHA, 1 CCE educator certified as instructor Mar 30, 2019 IPM/FAMACHA workshop for Yates County CCE, Naples, NY. 23 farmers, educators and veterinarians certified in FAMACHA, 1 CCE educator certified as instructor Jun 15, 2019 IPM/FAMACHA workshop for Allegany County CCE, Belmont, NY. 12 farmers certified in FAMACHA, 1 CCE educator certified as instructor. What do you plan to do during the next reporting period to accomplish the goals?WVU will determine stand density and overwintering survival in established pastures, and will initiate grazing trials in high-tannin forage pastures. URI will prepare birdsfoot trefoil forages and initiate feeding trials with hay, high-moisture forage, or pelleted birdsfoot trefoil. In New York, one farm will replant their birdsfoot trefoil (BFT) in spring 2020. Two other farms will also plant BFT in 2020. The farm that planted BFT in Fall 2019 plans to have their lamb grazing trial in summer/fall 2020. The other 3 grazing trials will be postponed until 2021. Several parasite and pasture management workshops are already scheduled for Winter 2020 including one presentation on "Advanced grazing for parasite control" at the NOFA-NY Winter Conference Jan 17-19. Cornell also has several parasite and pasture management workshops scheduled for fall 2019 and winter 2020.
Impacts
What was accomplished under these goals?
These experiments evaluate ways to improve establishment of birdsfoot trefoil pastures to prevent intestinal parasite infection in sheep. This may reduce economic losses for organic growers from reduced weight gains and loss of organic certification due to use of synthetic deworming agents. The methods may benefit conventional sheep growers by reducing need for deworming agents and slowing development of parasite resistance. Objective 1. Evaluate agronomic practices to improve BFT establishment in existing pastures. Two trials were established at the WVU Organic Research Farm to evaluate the effect of soil fertility, cultivar, and tillage treatments on establishment of birdsfoot trefoil in existing pastures. Soils were limed in June, 2019. Baseline plant community structure was assessed in Summer 2019. Half of the plots in the low-phosphorus pasture were amended with bone meal to supply 89 pounds P/acre. A high-P pasture was unamended, creating three phosphorus fertility levels. Four high-tannin forage cultivars (Delaney sanfoin, Bull, Bruce and Norcen birdsfoot trefoil) were planted using a Truax drill with either coulters or 3-inch sweeps to open sod in Sept. Additional plots will be frost seeded in Feb. 2020. Emergence data found higher seedling emergence using sweeps and high P fertility than coulters or low P fertility. Objective 2. Compare efficacy of BFT pastures and supplemental feed in field-scale grazing trials ... Twelve pastures were established at the WVU Organic Research Farm in Fall 2019. Three 1.25-acre pastures were planted with Norcen birdsfoot trefoil, three with Bull birdsfoot trefoil, and six with orchardgrass and red clover. Grazing trials with lambs will begin in 2020. Objective 3. Determine the effect of feeding BFT processed as either hay, high- moisture hay or pellets on experimental and pasture gastrointestinal nematode infections in lambs. At URI, a 10-acre field was seeded to a BFT mix in September2018 at URI Peckham Farm and mowed this past summer for weed control. The field will be over-seeded this spring 2020 and harvested for feed trials summer 2020. Objective 4. Demonstrate research results in on-farm trials with select farmers. URI and Cornell refined recordkeeping spreadsheets for the establishment and maintenance of demonstration plots using organic methods. These are housed on the project webpage (https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/orei-resources/ ). Two grower farms attempted to plant in 2019 despite very wet spring conditions. One field will be replanted in Spring 2020, a second farm delayed planting until fall. Two farms were unable to plant because of wet spring conditions. Objective 5. Extend research results to organic and conventional sheep and goat producers throughout the Northeast .... Four Cornell workshops and six classes were held in 2018-19, with 154 participants from MA, NJ, NY, PA, TX, VT, and ONT province and Pakistan. In addition, the WVU Organic Farm Field Day attracted 197 participants. Objective 6. Evaluate success of outreach activities .... Farmers at workshops returned pre and post quizzes and answered questions on their plans. Results from three counties averaged 58% for pre-quizzes and 88 % for post quizzes. Many respondents indicated that they planned to start or make improvements in pasture management, selective deworming, copper oxide wire particle use, fecal egg monitoring, birdsfoot trefoil grazing, dewormer use or nutrition to boost immune system function.
Publications
- Type:
Conference Papers and Presentations
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2019
Citation:
K. Petersson, A. Zajac, H. Burdett. Development of an Online FAMACHA Certification Program. Joint international COMBAR-ACSRPC 2019 Meeting, August 27-28, 2019 in Ghent, Belgium
- Type:
Other
Status:
Published
Year Published:
2018
Citation:
Evans A. Basweti, Domingo J. Mata, Ben M. Goff, James B. Kotcon, and William B. Bryan. 2018. External Inputs and Livestock for Organic Hill Land Farming Systems in Appalachia. Agrosystems, Geoscience and Environment 1:1-10. Published on-line at:
https://dl.sciencesocieties.org/publications/age/pdfs/1/1/180017
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