Antibiotics and Parasite Management Webinar for Sheep and Goat Producers

The University of Minnesota (UMN) and North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension will host an Animal Antibiotics and Parasite Management webinar at 7:30 p.m. CDT on June 21.

Veterinarian Cindy Wolf will discuss how Food and Drug Administration antibiotic regulations will affect producers, the importance of developing a relationship with a veterinarian, genetic selection for parasite resistance, and management tools for sheep and goats.

"The responsible use of medically-important antimicrobials as a livestock producer is an expectation, but purchasing previously available over-the-counter pharmaceuticals, such as penicillin and oxytetracycline, will require oversight and a prescription from your veterinarian," says Travis Hoffman, UMN and NDSU Extension sheep specialist.

The FDA will require a valid veterinary-client-patient relationship (VCPR) by June 2023 to obtain a prescription, purchase injectable antibiotics and retain future access to antibiotics. In 2017, the Veterinary Feed Directive required prescriptions for antibiotics in animal feed and drinking water.

Dr. Wolf also will discuss parasite management, including implementing a plan for monitoring, genetic selection and fecal egg count. She will share the parasite management strategies she and her husband use on their own sheep operation that can be applied by other sheep and goat producers.

"Early summer is the time to be most aware of internal parasite challenges," says Hoffman. "We can be proactive in utilizing production tools for genetic selection and to prevent and treat the parasite impacts on our sheep flocks and goat herds."

Pre-registration is required. for more information. Registered attendees will receive the Zoom link immediately upon registration. Registrants who are unable to attend the live session will receive the recording via email. For questions, contact Brenda Miller at nels4220@umn.edu or Hoffman at travis.w.hoffman@ndsu.edu.