Pelleted sericea lespedeza diet for control of internal parasites and pathogens in goats and sheep

Internal parasites are the greatest health and production challenge for sheep and goats in southeastern states and others during warm, humid conditions (including Northeastern, Midwestern and irrigated pastures in Western US). Haemonchus contortus or barber pole worm thrives in warm, humid climates and is a voracious blood feeder that can cause anemia and death to the animal if left untreated. Dewormer resistance has left many producers without any chemical control of worms, which was heavily relied on in the past. Published studies reported that consumption of sericea lespedeza (or Chinese bush clover), a condensed tannin rich forage, has offered control of parasites in sheep and goats. Feeding of condensed tannins may reduce gut pathogens, which would lead to safer meat products. The objectives of this project are to determine the effectiveness of a sericea lespedeza pellet processed by the Sims Brothers, Inc. as an aid in controlling internal parasites in lambs and goat kids and the effect on food safety in lambs. To examine the effect of the pelleted sericea lespedeza on controlling worms, lambs and kids will be fed a proprietary sericea lespedeza pellet or a comparable bermudagrass based pellet as a control from weaning until market weight. Measures of worm infection and growth of the animals will be measured throughout the study. The number of times an animal required deworming (selective deworming based on anemia will be used) will be recorded and economics will be considered. The second study will determine whether bacteria in the gut can be reduced by feeding the sericea lespedeza pellets compared to the bermudagrass control to lambs. Level of bacteria in the feces will be measured. Lambs will be slaughtered seven days after oral introduction of the bacteria and gut contents and tissues will be collected to determine food safety. If successful, this project has the potential to increase sustainability and profitability of sheep and goat producers that have no effective chemical dewormers and provide a product for feedlots or pre-slaughter animals to decrease harmful bacteria on the processed carcass increasing food safety of meat products.