Evolution of The No-Sheep Sherlock
In 2011, as we became increasingly aware of the impact of internal parasites on our sheep’s
health and productivity, we started an aggressive parasite management program . This
program included individual fecal egg counts, selection for resistant lines and culling of
susceptible animals, optimizing nutrition and comprehensive pasture management. While we
took training where available, we found that training resources on this topic, especially where it
puts control back in the hands of producers, was sorely lacking.
As other producers learned of what we were doing, we were approached to train them. We
started with one-on-one training but quickly realized that the demand was too great. Several
years ago we designed a formal workshop and started to run organized, multi-producer
classes. We started with a laboratory module training producers to do a McMaster Fecal Egg
Count. In 2018, we added a second module on Parasite Management Planning.
Because we are committed to bringing this skill set to Ontario producers.
It is now time for this training to evolve into a business, especially when we retire from sheep
production. We hope to continue offering producers the training they require in this area. -
Laurie Maus and Robert Garner, Hawk Hill Farm
Training in Integrated Parasite Management
Why we are doing this?
•
internal parasites are a large financial drain for livestock
producers
•
resistance to available control drugs is an increasing problem
•
animal welfare
•
producer mental health
•
environmental protection and enhancement
•
farmers helping farmers
•
provide training that was not widely available
•
personal experience in dealing with the frustration of parasites
•
love of sharing our knowledge
•
the thrill of seeing producers take control of their future
•
Note: these services in no way should replace working with your
vet to develop diagnostic and treatment plans for your livestock
Why should producers do this?
•
reduce costs
•
increase profits
•
increase animal health and welfare
•
taking more control of your livestock’s health
What are we offering:
Fecal Egg Counting (FEC) Workshops - Half day, hands-on training on the
McMaster Fecal Egg Counting technique. $60 per participant (for more than one
participant per farm inquire) Spring/Summer 2023 for limited number of students.
Payment upon registration. All courses are on site in Dunvegan.
2023 FEC workshops
May 13, 2023 9 am to 12:30 pm
June 17, 2023 9 am to 12:30 PM
Parasite Management Planning Workshop - Half day training course on developing
farm-specific parasite management plans $40 per participant. Payment upon
registration.
Recommended pre-requisite: FEC Counting Workshop Spring/Summer 2023
2023 Parasite Management Planning Workshop
May 13, 2023 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
June 17, 2023 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
Custom FEC Counts - technical services to analyse fecal samples for parasite eggs -
$20 per test - May to October Samples must be delivered fresh and chilled to our
Dunvegan address.
Site Visit and Report: Farm tour and review of management practices to give
recommendations in areas for improvement in infrastructure and management. Final
report provided. $300+HST for 4 hours and mileage charges are extra. $65+HST for
each additional hour (starting June 2019)
M3 Monitoring Package Includes:
•
60 individual fecal egg counts
•
3 seasonal parasite profile analyses
•
end of year analysis with next year management recommendations
•
breeding stock selection recommendations
•
Cost $1000.+ HST, Delivery costs for samples is the responsibility of the
producer.
Combo Package includes:
•
Site Visit and Report
•
M3 Monitoring Package
•
Bonus Fecal Egg Reduction Test for one test period
•
Cost $1300 + HST and milage*
Custom Package: We are willing to work out a custom package where the producer
does more of the analysis and we help with interpretation and the direction forward.
Cost per hour of consultation.
* Delivery costs of fecal samples is the responsibility of the producer
We would like to thank one of our 2018 sponsors. Chalex LLC . Over the
years I have used a number of McMaster Slides and we have found that
those from Chalex are of the best quality with the longest useful life. I am
still using my original Chalex slides 8 years and over 1000 samples later.
We strongly recommend that you order the slides with the green lines.
Our Goal: To train ourselves out of business. To never see another Ontario sheep die due to internal parasites.
© Hawk Hill Farm 2003
We require all visitors to the farm to wear a mask while on site and if attending a course to show proof of vaccination for Covid 19. We are seniors,
vulnerable and need to protect our health. These requirements are not negotiable.
© Hawk Hill Farm 2003
Services
Fecal Egg Testing
We will analyse fecal samples from sheep, goats, cattle and horses between May and October. Because samples need to be collected fresh and kept cool this service is only available for local producers who are able to deliver the samples to the farm. Please note that this is technical services only and does not constitute diagnosis nor veterinary advice. We recommend you work with your vet to develop a parasite management program whenever possible. $20.00/SampleFEC Training Workshops
We have been doing on farm fecal egg counts as part of our parasite management program for over a decade. We strongly recommend other producers learn this simple technique and add it to their parasite management tool kit. The benefits far outweigh the set up costs. Workshops are run monthly between the end of May and the end of September. A workshop schedule will be updated as courses are organized. In addition a private workshop can be arranged for a minimum of 3 students. Cost $60 per participant. Payment required with registration. Next FEC Workshops: May 13th, 2023 9 am to 12:30 pm June 17th, 2023 9 am to 12:30 pm In 2018 we pilot tested our new Parasite Management Plan design workshop. There is no such thing as a ‘one size fits all” when it comes to parasite management. We will be teaching methods and planning tools to develop your “Farm-Specific” parasite management plan. We will also teach you methods you can use to monitor improvements and adapt to changing risks. Cost $40 per participant. Payment required with registration. Parasite Management Plan Design May 13th, 2023 1:30pm to 4:30 pm June 17th, 2023 1:30 pm to 4:30 PM We would like to thank one of our 2018 sponsors. Chalex LLC . Over the years I have used a number of McMaster Slides and we have found that those from Chalex are of the best quality with the longest useful life. I am still using my original Chalex slides 8 years and over 1000 samples later. We strongly recommend that you order the slides with the green lines. Enquire
