Latest Worm Results - 2015
We are greatly encouraged by the results of our latest testing for worm resistance. The ram lambs had two faecal egg counts carried out on 15.01.2015 and 28.02.2015. They were not drenched from birth or at any time over this trial period.
The individual results below are in sire groups. We have a policy of not drenching lambs if they have good eye colour, look OK and have counts of less than 4000. (With the barbers pole worm counts can go as high as forty to fifty thousand). You will note that some lambs have low counts on both tests, which means that they have acquired immunity very early on, which is what we are aiming to achieve. Other lambs have shown a decrease in FEC over the 6 week period between tests which would indicate that the immune system is ‘kicking in’. The worm challenge especially from the barber’s pole worm is huge in the North. With our Down bred lambs having to be drenched at least every five weeks to keep them alive. Also our Down type adult ewes and rams have to be drenched on a regular basis to keep them alive.
After 28 years of breeding for worm resistance, where around 20,000 dung samples have been evaluated, we feel that this year’s results indicate that we have sheep with immune systems that can neutralise any worm challenge. This has been achieved while selecting for productive traits, quality wool and structural soundness. Other ram breeders are able to take advantage of what has been achieved at Kikitangeo. 2015 Worm result table attached below.
| worm_result_table_2015.pdf |