Estimated reading time: 4 minutes
- Ilse Lombard, a well-known Boer goat breeder from the Vrede region, emphasises that dosing must be done correctly and only when necessary.
- Dr Faffa Malan’s Famacha system is a practical tool for monitoring parasite levels in goats and sheep.
- Regularly alternate the active ingredient in parasite-control products to reduce the risk of resistance building up.
- After treatment, goats should remain in the same camp for no more than one or two days before being moved to a new camp.
- Building good immunity is just as important.
Boer goats were bred for South African conditions, making them hardy and well-adapted. However, like sheep, they still need to be dosed against parasites.
Ilse Lombard, a well-known Boer goat breeder from the Vrede region, emphasises that dosing must be done correctly and only when necessary. “I usually treat the goats that need dosing about two weeks after the first spring rains, then every six weeks until after the first frost – depending on the rainy season and the Famacha results. Parasites are more prevalent after good rains, so dosing should be done more frequently,” she explains.
The Famacha system
Dr Faffa Malan’s Famacha system is a practical tool for monitoring parasite levels in goats and sheep. By gently closing the goat’s upper eyelid over the eyeball and pulling down the lower eyelid, producers can check the colour of the inner eyelid. A healthy animal’s eyelid should appear red or pink, while pale pink to white indicates a high parasite load.
In such cases, the goat should be dosed immediately with a fast-acting agent and given vitamin B complex and iron injections to restore blood levels. If the goat remains pale after a few days, repeat the fast-acting treatment. These products quickly eliminate parasites but do not provide lasting protection. Once the goat has recovered and its eyelids are no longer pale, a long-acting agent can be administered. Long-acting treatments must be absorbed into the bloodstream to be effective and will not work properly in severely anaemic animals.
Lombard advises marking pale goats with spray paint to track recurring cases. “If the same goats consistently show signs of anaemia, they should be culled. Over time, this helps build a flock that is naturally more resistant to parasites, ultimately resulting in healthier animals that require little or no dosing.”
Preventing resistance
Breeders should keep three key points in mind to prevent parasites from developing resistance.
Alternate active ingredients: Regularly alternate the active ingredient in parasite-control products to reduce the risk of resistance building up.
Correct dosing: Dosage is usually calculated based on the animal’s weight. Using too little increases the risk of resistance, while overdosing can be dangerous, or even fatal, with certain products. Ilse advises erring slightly on the higher side rather than underdosing.
“If your workers are doing the dosing, weigh the biggest animals in the flock and dose all accordingly, since it is impractical to weigh animals individually,” she suggests. However, she prefers to do it herself. “A trained eye is able to correctly estimate the weight. Plus, when you handle your goats directly, you often pick up on other issues.”
Camp rotation: After treatment, goats should remain in the same camp for no more than one or two days before being moved to a new camp.
Keep your eye on the ball
“My grandfather taught us from childhood that a good farmer greets his animals every morning and again in the afternoon.” A producer must constantly monitor the flock. By the time visible signs of parasites usually present, up to 20% of the animal’s production has already been lost.
“Building good immunity is just as important,” Lombard says. “Animals must have some parasites, but the goal is to keep the load low. Lambs should receive extra vitamins and minerals from the age of two months. Tapeworms, which can clog the intestines of kids and cause death, should be treated from six weeks up to at least six months. Unlike roundworms, tapeworms also pose a risk in winter. In summer, kids should be dosed against both roundworms and tapeworms.
“Always keep a close eye on your animals. Diarrhoea, a dirty nose or eyes, poor body condition, or a rough coat all signal a problem. A healthy coat reflects good health. Use the Famacha system consistently to monitor parasite impact.” – Koos du Pisanie, Plaas Media
The next issue will focus on vaccination. For more information, contact Ilse Lombaard at 072 078 4336.
