Ruminant farmers hail parasite management training as a game-changer
Published:Saturday | May 13, 2023 | 12:53 AMAsha Wilks/Gleaner Writer
FOR FARMER Alwain Saunders, a recent training session on the management of internal and external parasites has assisted him in preserving his herd of more than 40 goats and flock of 200-layer birds.
The training session that he raved about was held on April 27 by Nutramix in collaboration with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) Caribbean.
Saunders, who is from Lawrence Tavern, St Andrew, was one of the 30 farmers who received training and a package of $30,000 worth of supplies to assist with the internal and external parasite issues in their herd.
The package consisted of a variety of products, including injectable dewormers, anticoccidial treatments, multivitamins (injectables and water soluble), first-aid kits, thermometers, weight tape, hoof-trimming tools, topical sprays for wound treatment and parasites, as well as bags of Nutramix feed for proper herd nutrition.
Harmful practices
In an interview with The Gleaner yesterday, Saunders, who has been farming since 2013, said that the training had truly helped him to steer clear of some seriously harmful practices he had been engaging in unknowingly.
“I used to just give herd animal medication and I never know that from the animal is a healthy animal you don’t need to give him any,” he said as an example.
Additionally, he admitted being unaware that a pregnant goat could have a miscarriage dependent on the kinds of medication given.
The 42-year-old continued that he was also given instruction on when to cut the grass for the animals to feed, because cutting it too soon during the time that the goats should eat increases the risk of worm and parasite infestation.
“I really learn a lot, honest to God ... it’s a good look man,” he expressed, adding that he is hopeful for more training sessions to be conducted in the future.
It is because of farming, Saunders said, that he has been able to feed his household and send his two children to school.
Marsha Douglas of Clark’s Hill district in Temple Hall, St Andrew, who recently started farming as a business, told The Gleaner how essential the training was for her.
Douglas stated that while she had a basic understanding of some farming practises, the training session provided her with new information.
“Sometime me woulda see the goat and think a worm medicine him wah, but him don’t want any worm medicine, probably him want some vitamin or something. So they teach me how [to manage this],” she said.
She recalled that at first, she had no intention on becoming a full-time farmer, but actually wanted to purchase a car. After this plan fell through, she decided to use the money to buy two goats.
The 42-year-old continued that after getting the goats, her intention was to kill one in time for her birthday in February, but when the female goat got pregnant and later gave birth, after witnessing this experience she fell in love with the animal and chose to care for the goats on her own.
Franklin Witter, minister of state in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries, who was present at the handover ceremony held at the Rural Agricultural Development Authority (RADA) headquarters in St Andrew, urged the farmers to adhere to the right procedures and protocols to prevent and control parasites.
“We are in the business of providing healthy food for consumption, and our approach to internal and external parasite control is crucial to that endeavour,” he said.
Witter, who reported that 80 per cent of goat meat consumed in Jamaica was imported, expressed an intention to lower these percentages in years to come, to approximately 20 per cent.
Dr Gabrielle Young, Nutramix veterinarian and senior manager of livestock support, shared tips on how farmers can identify the different parasites and pests that can affect their herds, determine the right course of action, and ultimately improve nutrition for their animals and parasite resistance.
She stated that the farmers will also benefit from a three-month follow-up from Nutramix veterinarians and livestock specialists.