URI Sheep and Goat Program is making FEC analysis available to both NSIP and Non-NSIP small ruminant producers in the Northeast this summer, The program is designed to help shepherds who have experienced problems with gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) in their flock to identify those animals who are most susceptible, and to assist with selective breeding to enhance resistance to GIN.
The URI is also offering online FAMACHA certification.   Attached is a flyer with more details about the program = URI NESARE 2022 FEC Announcement, text copied below.

Building on Success: Expanding Opportunities for Sustainable Management of Small Ruminant GI Parasites
USDA Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (LNE19-381)

Small Ruminant Producers: Do you want more parasite resistant animals?

Summer 2022: Free Fecal Egg Count (FEC) analysis to assist with selective breeding for resistance to gastrointestinal worms

AVAILABLE TO:
New or current National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) members either in or marketing to the Northeast who want to generate Estimated Breeding Values (EBV) for parasite resistance.
● Producers must be able to obtain and ship fecal samples once or twice (at least 4 weeks later) following NSIP recommendations.
● Animals must NOT have been dewormed within 4 weeks of sampling.
● Fecal egg counts can be conducted for all young stock whose data is being submitted to NSIP.
● For more information on the benefits of membership in NSIP please visit http://nsip.org/ or contact the NSIP Program Director, Rusty Burgett, (info@nsip.org).
                                                   OR
Non-NSIP members living in New England, NY, NJ, PA, WV, MD, DE
● Have a history of problems with gastrointestinal nematode worms.
● Are FAMACHA certified (online training program is available).
● Are willing to share FAMACHA© scores as well as general herd/flock information/history.
● Have the ability to obtain and ship fecal samples once or twice (at least 4 wks later).
● Animals must NOT have been dewormed within 4 weeks of sampling.
● To allow us to provide this service to the maximum number of producers we are focusing the FEC testing on young replacement animals.

FAMACHA© scores can be used to indicate that worm season is active and will provide fecal egg counts high enough for meaningful analysis (minimum herd average >500 eggs/g). Scores of 3 or higher in 10% or more of your flock/herd or an overall upward trend in FAMACHA© scores away from normal 1’s and 2’s indicate increasing parasite loads. Peak parasite season occurs typically from mid-July through mid-September in most of the U.S. NSIP producers should plan on submitting a first set up samples in July to allow for the 30 to 45 days needed before sending the second set of samples.

We prefer that first samples are taken by Mid-August 2022 but samples will be accepted for analysis through September 30, 2022.

Please complete the Pre-Registration to receive further information (not yet available on website: https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/parasite-control/ )
Please contact Elizabeth Kass or Dr. Katherine Petersson, University of Rhode Island at urisheepandgoat@etal.uri.edu with any questions.
For more information on small ruminant parasite control visit our website at http://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat.