183. Farm Evaluation of a Biological Product to Control Gastrointestinal Nematodes in Pasture-Raised Goats

Abstract Gastrointestinal nematodes (GIN) are the number one problem in goats grazing Southeastern pastures because of the warm and moist climate of the region favoring the survival and growth of GIN during most of the year. Farmers are struggling with GIN problem in their goats because of the rapidly developing GIN resistance to most of the chemical dewormers available in the market. A biological product, Levamol with BioWorma containing the spore of Duddingtonia flagrans, is considered an alternative to chemical dewormers. However, the efficacy of this product in controlling GIN in pasture-raised goats under the Alabama farm conditions has not been evaluated. The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of Levamol with BioWorma in controlling the gastrointestinal nematodes in pasture-raised goats under Alabama farm conditions. Two separate farm studies were conducted from March to July 2025, by involving participant farmers: one farmer from Lowndes County (Lown) and another farmer from Geneva County (Gene), Alabama. Both farms had mixed breeds of meat goats. Thirty does from Lown and 20 does from Gene farm were used for the studies. Initial performance data (live weight, FAMACHA score, and body condition score (BCS)) were collected and does from each farm were divided into two uniform groups based on the initial performance data. Each group of does was stocked in separate sets of grazing plots and rotated among those plots throughout the study. Does had free access to clean drinking water, shelters, and mineral mix all the time. Levamol with BioWorma (1g/day/kg live weight) was mixed with a little water and given to the treatment group (Bio) daily, but none to the Control group. Animal performance data (live weight, BCS, and FAMACHA score), fecal samples, and blood samples were collected on Day 1, every two weeks during the study, and the last day of the study. Fecal samples were analyzed to determine the GIN eggs per gram of animal feces (EPG). Blood samples were analyzed in ProCyte Dx Analyzer for 14 hematological parameters. Animal performance and blood profile data were analyzed using the GLM procedure and EPG data using the Wilcoxon Rank-Sum test in SAS 9.4. Does from both groups performed similarly in both farms. The GIN EPG was less in Gene farm in the Bio vs. Control group (21%, p < 0.05). In Lown farm, the GIN EPG and blood parameters remained similar for both groups, except monocyte was lower in Bio group (23%, p < 0.01). In Gene farm, MCV, MCH, hematocrit, and eosinophil were higher, but MCHC and monocyte were lower in Bio vs. Control group (p < 0.05). Because of inconsistent results found in two farms, use of Levamol with Bioworma to control GIN in pasture-raised meat does seems unreliable.