Success Story2023 Famacha Training



2023 Famacha Training

Author: Evan Tate

Planning Unit: Hancock County CES

Major Program: Small Farm Diversification

Plan of Work: Enhancing Livestock Management

Outcome: Initial Outcome

Grayson County and surrounding counties are quickly growing diverse in agriculture practices. Increasing age, new farmers, new landownership, input costs, etc. have made people step away from the traditional cattle, hay and crop production we are used to seeing. One of the fastest growing production practices is in the area small ruminants. Based on the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture, Grayson County ranks 36th in the state in small ruminant production, with around $100,000 in gross sales each year. Many of the farms in the county are small farms and have less than 50 head. One of the main challenges with small ruminants in Kentucky is parasite control. This is due to weather, pasture availability and growing anthelmintic resistance. Throughout the year, agents are asked how to manage them in different ways. Because of this, the need for a FAMCACHA certification was discussed with county Agriculture and Natural Resources agents in the Grayson, Breckinridge, and Hancock Counties.

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 infections. It aids in selective deworming, minimizing the use of dewormers and slowing the rate of drug resistant parasite population development. ANR agent partnered with the Kentucky State University’s small ruminant veterinarian to conduct the program. Seventeen participants from Grayson, Breckinridge and Hancock Counties attended the three-hour training. The hands-on session allowed participants to use the FAMACAHA card to check eye lid color and determine whether those animals needed to be treated. There was a variation of colors in the animals so participants could see different levels of the FAMACAHA card.

All 17 participants were able to receive their certification and take information back to their farms to use in their decision-making process on their farms as it refers to deworming and parasite management. The goal of this program is to better equip producers with the skills needed to help better their herd health overall, as well as decrease the resistance of anthelmintics by taking a proactive approach.   






Stories by Evan Tate


2024 Small Farm Marketing innovations and marketing.

about 5 months ago by Evan Tate

Small farms who raise niche crops and small scale produce are often at a disadvantage when marketing... Read More


2024 Annies Project Program

about 5 months ago by Evan Tate

The problemThe educational program responseThe local Breckinridge, Grayson and Hancock County areas ... Read More


Stories by Hancock County CES


3 Day Cooking Camp

3 Day Cooking Camp

about 4 months ago by Angelia Swihart

Learning to cook is an essential life skill everyone should strive to develop at some point in their... Read More


4-H Culinary Arts Club Member Discovers a Spark and Now is an Entrepreneur and Professional Baker

4-H Culinary Arts Club Member Discovers a Spark and Now is an Entrepreneur and Professional Baker

about 5 months ago by Lisa Hagman

4-H offers many opportunities for youth to explore and discover their sparks. High quality 4-H progr... Read More