A survey of ovine parasite control practices in Tennessee

Craig R. Reinemeyer
Barton W. Rohrbach Dr., University of Tennessee - Knoxville
V M. Grant
G L. Radde

Abstract

A sample of 126 sheep producers in Tennessee was randomly selected from the members of a statewide organization of sheep producers. Data about the participant's farms, sheep, parasite control practices and sources of information regarding ovine parasite control were obtained by a telephone survey. The response rate was 99%. The typical respondent kept 20 lambs, 20 ewes and 2 rams on 3 pastures totalling 20 acres. In order of decreasing frequency, anthelmintics were given according to a regular schedule, to coincide with breeding management procedures, or to treat clinical signs of parasitism. Proportions of producers deworming the various classes of sheep 0, 1, 2, 3, 4 or more than 4 times annually were as follows: lambs 3, 28, 40, 16, 9 and 8%, respectively; ewes 3, 8, 20, 16, 34 and 22%, respectively; rams 1, 9, 19, 15, 38 and 19%, respectively. The majority of respondents planned to deworm lambs (89%) and ewes (82%) the same number of times in the following year. Of the producers who dewormed sheep 2 or more times during 1989, 39-49% (ranges include different proportions for lambs, ewes and rams) used the same anthelmintic exclusively, most (39-66%) used ivermectin, followed by levamisole (19-33%) and benzimidazole (13-24%). 103 of 124 (83%) producers intended to use the same anthelmintics in the future. 64 of 124 (52%) producers had discontinued using at least one ovine anthelmintic. The most common reasons for discontinuance were dissatisfaction with the clinical response after treatment and inconvenience of administration. Sheep-oriented publications, other sheep producers and veterinarians were considered the most important sources of information about deworming programmes and choice of anthelmintics.