ParaBoss News - November 2020 - Feature Articles
Breeding goats for worm resistance
Have you found yourself drenching your goat herd too frequently? Did you know that you can breed goats for worm resistance, reducing the worm burden on your herd and ultimately requiring fewer drenches each year?
Goats that are resistant to worms limit the ability of the worm to grow, develop and produce eggs. This results in lower worm burdens overall and fewer eggs deposited onto pasture, slowing down the rate of infection or reinfection. You can breed for resistance by buying bucks from a stud which provides estimated breeding values (EBVs) for worm egg counts (WEC), and selecting a buck that balances lower than average WECs with other positive traits you’re trying to breed for.
Breeding goats that are more resistant to worms can reduce your reliance on drenching and provide you with another option for management of worms in your herd.