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. Four
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. Last year we added a second module on Parasite Management Planning.
Because we are committed to bringing this skill set to Ontario producers, Bob and I have
subsidized these courses covering capital and operating expenses as well as donating our
time in exchange for a token “gift”. In 2018 we ran 6 workshops.
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
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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 2022 for limited number of
students. Covid precautions are applied.
Parasite Management Planning Workshop - Half day training course on
developing farm-specific parasite management plans $40 per participant.
Recommended pre-requisite: FEC Counting Workshop Spring/Summer 2022
Custom FEC Counts - technical services to analyse fecal samples for
parasite eggs - $20 per test - May to October
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:
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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:
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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
Elizabeth Macintyre Maus Memorial Research Initiatives
Elizabeth Maus was my Aunt, my father’s sister. She was trained as a nurse and an educator. She was actively involved in nursing training at a number of
teaching hospitals and ultimately as the Director of Mohawk College Department of Nursing in Hamilton.
Aunt Liz was always incredibly supportive and generous with all of her nieces and nephews. She not only supported my academic pursuits but also supported
my agricultural pursuits. She and I co-owned a Holstein cow under the registered breeder name of Laurel Hill Holsteins. She continued to support Bob and my
efforts here at Hawk Hill Farm.
We lost Aunt Liz in 2017 at the age of 98. Even after her passing she continued to support her nieces and nephews leaving each of us a legacy.
I have decided to use these funds to carry out research that will give farmers more management tools to improve the health of their livestock, improve livestock
welfare and improve the profitability of livestock production focussing. Because of my passion, I will focus mainly on sheep production. I will work with other
sheep producers to run farmer initiated, farmer run research projects.
The first project currently in progress is studying the the use of refractometers to test the quality of sheep colostrum and with this information improve the health
of the lambs through increased passive transfer of antibodies.
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. $15.00/SampleFEC Training Workshops
We have been doing on farm fecal egg counts as part of our parasite management program for over 8 years. 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. Next FEC Workshops: June 22, 2019, 9:30am -12:30 pm July 20, 2019, 1:30 -4:30 pm Aug. 17, 2019, 9:30 am-12:30 pm Sept. 14, 2019, 1:30 -4:30 pm NEW- 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. Parasite Management Plan Design June 22, 2019 1:30-4:30 pm July 20, 2019 9:30 am -12:30 pm Aug. 17 2019, 1:30 -4:30 pm Sept. 14, 2019 9:30 am to 12:30 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
