Internal Parasites in Small Ruminants IPM/FAMACHA Workshop
Event Details
Date
October 10, 2023
Time
6pm - 8:30pm
Location
Alfred State College Farm
1254 State Route 244
Alfred, NY 14802
Host
Hosted by SWNY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crop Team and CCE Allegany County
Lynn Bliven
585-268-7644 ext. 18
email Lynn Bliven

Internal parasites are one of the biggest health problems affecting small ruminants in the Northeast. Dewormer resistance is becoming commonplace. As a result, producers need to know how best to manage parasites. In this workshop, producers will learn the basics of parasite control as well as how to develop integrated parasite management programs for their farms.
We will also provide hands-on training on how to use the FAMACHA© Anemia Card (good only for the barber pole worm) as part of a 5-point check to determine which animals in your herd or flock most likely need deworming. This workshop will also include hands-on training on doing fecal egg counts.
Who is this for? Sheep, Goat and Alpaca Producers.
What will you learn at Tuesday evening session? Know your parasites. Know your tools - management practices, prescribed grazing, animal selection. When to worm or not to worm. Hands-on FAMACHA scoring and 5-point checks (health exam).
What will you learn at Thursday evening session? Hands-on training for fecal egg counts. Preparing slides, identifying parasites under microscope.You are welcome to bring a refrigerated fecal sample of 8 to 10 fecal pellets from one sheep, goat, alpaca or llama at your farm to the workshop.
Space is limited - preregistration is required!
Instruction led by: Amy Barkley, Livestock Specialist, Southwest NY Dairy, Livestock & Field Crop Team and Lynn Bliven, CCE Allegany County Ag & Natural Resources Issue Leader
Cost: $30/farm which includes one FAMACHA© card and one set workshop handouts for both evenings. Or you may sign up for Tuesday only at $25/farm. Thursday only at $10/farm.
You may sign up for 1 or both evenings, however you must attend full session Tuesday evening to receive FAMACHA© card and certification.
Contact: Lynn Bliven 585-268-7644 ext. 18 or email lao3@cornell.edu
Participants may pay at the door, however pre-registration required by October 6, 2023 so we can ensure enough space and handouts available.
In the interest of biosecurity, please wear clean clothes and shoes to the workshop and plan to change them prior to doing your own farm chores.
Upcoming Events
Avian Disease and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza - the latest updates and what it means for poultry health
March 18, 2025
In light of the state of HPAI across the country and in NYS, the Poultry Subgroup of the Livestock PWT has developed two webinars to assist small farms and backyard laying flock owners to make informed decisions around getting laying hens and managing disease, while keeping abreast of the current status of HPAI and how they can keep it out of their flocks.
Join Dr. Jarra Jagne of Cornell's College of Veterinary Medicine and Dr. Chad Wall of NYS Department of Agriculture and Markets for an evening of learning about avian disease, including Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). We'll cover:
- Updates on the HPAI outbreak
- Symptoms of HPAI
- Common small flock diseases
- HPAI disease look-alikes
- Keeping your birds safe
Shop Talk: Integrated Weed Management

March 19, 2025
Andover, NY
Mike Hunter, Field Crop IPM Coordinator, will share his knowledge on managing weeds. The discussion will cover various management practices in both conventional and organic settings, including herbicide-resistant weeds.
NY Beef Producers Association (NYBPA) Region 2 Meeting
March 21, 2025
Lakewood, NY
Join is for a roundtable discussion with Jeff Hostetter of Select Sires, Phil Trowbridge of Trowbridge Farms, Dr. Shannon Carpenter DVM NYSCHAP Coordinator for NYSAGM, division of Animal Industry, Dr. Katie Card-Allen, DVM Regional Field Veterinarian on Best Practices for Cow-Calf producers. A proactive approach to animal health for mama and baby.
All are welcome. Membership in these beef producer groups is not required.
Following the buffet dinner, a short business meeting will kick off the evening. We will then move to the roundtable discussion.
Announcements
Transition Heifer Calf Program
Join us for this hand-on program and demos! We will be offering this program in English and in Spanish.Calf and heifer managers, dairy herdspersons, farm owners, and heifer raisers interested in learning more about how to better house and manage animals as they transition from the calf phase to the weaned heifer phase.
Topics covered:
Nutrition
Health
Housing Management
Inventory Management
Biosecurity: All attendees must wear clean clothes and boots. You will be required to scrub and disinfect footwear upon arrival to the program and before leaving.
Registration: $25 per person (includes lunch)