51 Determining the Best Indicators for Targeted Selective Treatment Against Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Sheep and Goats in Mississippi

Abstract Successful Targeted Selective Treatment (TST) against gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in small ruminant farms require the accurate measurement of phenotypic indicators animals. Specific to predict GIN burden include age animal (A, years), bodyweight (BW, lbs), FAMACHAÓ (score from 1 4), body condition score (BCS, 5), and fecal egg count (FEC, eggs per gram feces or EPG). Objective: Determine indicator(s) that will more accurately contribute TST for sheep goats state Mississippi (MS). Five (05) five goat herds were used data collection during fall 2021, ewes (n=182) does (n=197) individually measured FEC was determined using a modified McMaster technique. Statistical analysis performed Statistix Windows v. 8.0., two by contingency tables evaluate association between FAMACHA EPG, BCS EPG. The average sampled were, respectively, A 2.91 2.98 years (P>0.05); BW 137.99 89.69 lbs. (P=0.0000); 2.53 2.99 3.25 510.05 487.56 EPG (P=0.0001). correlations both species positive 0.1753 (P=0.0006). Negative found -0.1517 (P=0.0031) -0.2945 (P=0.0000). 2x2 showed with 4-5 had 37% chances have >500 compared 1-3 (28.2%) (P >0.05). Meanwhile, 1-2 resulted 1.01-2.73 times (45.8% vs. 27.7%; P< 0.05). That effect evident sheep, where 62.6% animals 15.8% 3-5, but sample size insufficient assign statistical significance.