To access the online training program in Spanish please follow this link: https://web.uri.edu/sheepngoat/famacha-programa-de-entrenamiento/

The FAMACHA^© System –The use of the FAMACHA^© system allows small ruminant producers to make selective deworming decisions based on an estimated level of anemia in sheep and goats affected by barber pole worm infection. The barber pole worm is the most economically important parasite affecting small ruminant production on pasture, causing varying levels of anemia (reduction below normal in the number of red cells in the blood) and in severe cases death. Worldwide anthelmintic (anti-parasitic) resistance has been reported in all current dewormers available to treat the barber pole worm and other gastrointestinal nematodes. The FAMACHA^© system aids in selective deworming, minimizing the use of dewormers and slowing the rate of drug-resistant parasite population development. The FAMACHA^© system also aids in selective breeding decisions by identifying those animals that are most susceptible to barber pole worm infection.

The FAMACHA^© card, developed in South Africa, was introduced to the U.S. by the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (ACSRPC); (https://www.wormx.info/). The FAMACHA^© card is a tool that matches the color of the eye mucous membranes of small ruminants with a laminated color chart showing five color categories corresponding to different levels of anemia. Category 1, red, representing an animal that is not anemic with category 5, pale white, representing a severely anemic animal. The FAMACHA^© system uses the numeric scores determined with the card to identify and selectively deworm sheep and goats with anemia.

This online training program was developed by Anne Zajac, DVM (VA-MD College of Veterinary Medicine, Virginia Tech) and Katherine Petersson, PhD (University of Rhode Island) and, members of the ACSRPC, as part of a Northeast SARE grant. The online program is currently co-administered by the University of Rhode Island (Katherine Petersson) and Louisiana State University School of Veterinary Medicine (Adriano Vatta, BVSc, MSc, PhD, DACVM (Parasitology)). The ACSRPC fully endorses the program. 

• Participants must be 13 years of age or older and reside in the U.S or Canada.

• Facilitated group classes may be available at your institution or school.  We ask that group facilitators contact us at least one month prior to offering the class.
• This Online FAMACHA^© Certification program is available to participants residing in the U.S. or Canada and can be obtained through a 3-step process. 

1.  Watch the four training videos:

• Part 1: An Introduction to Worm Basics (14:27 min)
• Part 2: Utilizing Dewormers and Understanding the Development of Dewormer Resistance (12:05 min)
• Part 3: Integrated Parasite Management (12:22 min)
• Part 4: Utilizing the FAMACHA© system (17:17 min)
• Part 5: : FAMACHA Technique Training (1:16 min)

2.  Complete the follow-up assessment:

After viewing the training videos, take the follow-up assessment by clicking here. You may take the assessment as many times as necessary to complete the assessment with a score of 80% or higher. If you are part of a group such as 4H, FFA, Pre Veterinary Club etc. please be sure to include your group affiliation when completing the online assessment form.

3.  Create and submit FAMACHA^© demonstration video:                                                   

View the FAMACHA^© technique training video below for demonstrating the FAMACHA^© technique. Make and send us a video demonstrating the FAMACHA^© technique on both eyes of two animals. For this demonstration video please use an index card in place of an actual FAMACHA^© card.  Introduce yourself and demonstrate the FAMACHA^© technique on both eyes of two animals, holding up the mock FAMACHA^© card to the eye mucous membrane. It is ok to have assistance, recording, restraining and holding the mock FAMACHA^© card. Email the video to urisheepandgoat@etal.uri.edu. If your video is too large to send, please email us and we will help set up a temporary google share folder.

Upon completing the 3-step online training program listed above, the participant will receive a Certificate of Competence in the use of the FAMACHA^© anemia scoring system. The certificate will enable participants to purchase a FAMACHA^© card through Louisiana State University.  The price of the FAMACHA^© card is subject to change but is under $20.00.  Exact cost and instructions for purchasing a card will be provided upon completion of this online training program.

Part1: An Introduction to Worm Basics

Part 2: Utilizing Dewormers and Understanding the Development of Dewormer Resistance

Part 3: Integrated Parasite Management

Part 4 Utilizing the FAMACHA© system 

Part 5 FAMACHA Technique Training 

Contact for Online FAMACHA^© Certification:

Elisa Preston, MS, Research Associate

Louisiana State University, School of Veterinary Medicine

3315 Skip Bertman Drive

Baton Rouge, LA, 70803

EMAIL:  urisheepandgoat@etal.uri.edu

 

For more information about the FAMACHA^© System and small ruminant parasite control, visit the American Consortium of Small Ruminant Parasite Control.

This work is supported by the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) Northeast Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program Project LNE19-381 and USDA NIFA Animal Health and Disease Research Project 1007290.  URI provides equal program opportunity.