Effect of copper oxide wire particles dosage and feed supplement level on Haemonchus contortus infection in lambs

Using copper oxide wire particles or sericea lespedeza to prevent peri-parturient gastrointestinal nematode infection in sheep and goats

“…Incorporating COWP in a pelleted ration ensures a more even distribution of the COWP, reducing the risk of some animals not receiving enough to impact GIN or others receiving too much, leading to a susceptibility to copper toxicity. The reduction in FEC in the goats and the ewes in Experiment 2 was not as great as in previous reports (Burke et al, 2004;Vatta et al, 2009) because of the low to moderate percentage of H. contortus. Previous studies in sheep and goats have indicated that COWP is ineffective against intestinal GIN species (Bang et al, 1990;Chartier et al, 2000;Knox, 2002).…”

“…However, if producers are unsure of copper status, specialists should be consulted before use of COWP for GIN control. Further discussion on safety of COWP in sheep can be found in Burke et al (2004).…”

“…Animals used were mature peri-parturient does (n = 42) of Spanish (n = 25) or Spanish × Boer breeding (n = 17). In early January 2009, does were blocked by breed type and randomly assigned to remain untreated (n = 20) or fed 2 g COWP (Burke et al, 2004 in a sericea lespedeza pellet at one feeding (n = 22). The pellet was processed at Fort Valley State University, Fort Valley, GA with a small pellet machine (Model CL, Type 3; California Pellet Mill, Crawfordsville, IN) using 'AU Grazer' sericea lespedeza leaf meal, 2.2 mg COWP/g sericea lespedeza, and a small amount of water at a temperature of less than 50°C.…”

“…Two of these tools that can be easily incorporated during shed lambing/kidding include COWP and feeding sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata), a condensed tanninrich forage. COWP have been used to control GIN in sheep and goats (Burke et al, 2004Burke and Miller, 2006;Vatta et al, 2009). However, the current literature is lacking on a means to control GIN infection during the peri-parturient period and a more convenient method of administering the COWP rather than in a bolus to individual animals.…”

Smart Man’s Sericea Lespedeza and Worm Control: A Review

“…This does not seem to be a problem with long-term sericea lespedeza feeding in more mature animals [45]. When sericea lespedeza feeding is discontinued, the animals should be observed closely for signs of parasitic infection using FAMACHA© [46] or the Five Point Check© [47], and if needed, treated using 0.5 g of copper oxide wire particles (for H. contortus infection) [48,49] or an effective anthelmintic.…”