Nichlas Mbingeneeko
The previous article focused on the most common small stock diseases. This article will focus on small stock dosing or drenching and dipping. As is the case with all worm remedies, farmers are required to vaccinate the goats and sheep with Pulpyvax about two weeks before dosing or drenching so as to immunize the goats and sheep against the pulpy kidney disease. Dosing or drenching goats and sheep that were not vaccinated against pulpy kidney is a waste of time and money. Pulpyvax serves to actively immunize sheep and goats against the pulpy kidney disease or enterotoxaemia. Over and above administering Pulpyvax against pulpy kidney disease, the farmer may, inter alia, inoculate sheep and goats with Ovi-Clos P, Multivax P, Multivax P Plus or One Shot Ultra 7 so as to protect the livestock against a number of Clostridia bacteria and consequently prevent clostridial diseases in goats and sheep.
Dosing may be oral and/or injectable. Oral dosing kills internal parasites, whereas injectable dosing kills internal and external parasites simultaneously.
The farmer needs to be familiar with the types of worms prevalent in his or her farming area and consequently buy drenching remedies that are fit for purpose.
It is advisable to drench goats and sheep between two to three times per annum, preferably during April, August and December. The farmer is advised to dose goats and sheep in summer (December) for roundworm & hook worm. Dose in autumn (April) to cleanse small stock from summer parasites and to eliminate winter parasites, e.g. white bankrupt worm & nose worm. Dose in spring (August/September) to prevent & eliminate the 1st round of hair worm and hook worm. The products for viral dosing include AgraVet Orange & Green, CEVA Maxicare, Ecomectin Sheep Drench, Ivomec Liquid. Ecomectin 50, Panacur BS, Valbantel, and Valbazen.
Injectable dosing may be administered trimesterly, particularly in areas where farmers experience a proliferation or mushrooming of external parasites. The Products for injectable dosing are, inter alia, AgraMectin, Cevamec 1%, Dectomax (Goats), Ecomectin 1%, Ivomec, Ivotan, Privexia, Solution 3.5% LA, and Virbamec.
Dip sheep and goats at least on a trimesterly basis to kill the blue lice and ticks. Repeat every dipping session after 14 days so as to kill the mature session of the blue lice. It is advisable to dip kraaled lambs on a monthly basis.
Dipping products available on the market include: AgraDip Cyp 20%, Bayticol, Bodyguard, Cooperzon 30, Dazzel N.F., Deca-Tix 3, Paracide and ZipDip. Dipping products for small stock are usually mixed with water. Farmers are advised to follow the instructions for mixing strictly. A strong mixture may lead to deaths of lambs and kids.
The next article will focus on genetic value creation in small stock farming, i.e. the significance of quality in small stock farming.
Nichlas Mbingeneeko is a renowned small stock farmer and a stud breeder of repute. His stud known as Skuilhoek Stud (in Aranos district, Hardap Region) consists of the Boer Goat, Damara Sheep and the Veldmaster Sheep. If you subscribe to genetic superiority, make Skuilhoek Stud your supplier of choice. His next production auction will be on 13 June 2024 @ 18h00, in Windhoek, Agra/Bank Windhoek Ring, Namibia, onsite & online auction. Nichlas Mbingeneeko wrote this article in his personal capacity.
