A preliminary report on the use of FAMACHA© for haemonchosis in goats in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa during the late autumn/early winter period

Abstract

From May to July 2005 a study was conducted on the prevalence and effects of haemonchosis in goats farmed on communal grazing belonging to resource-poor farmers at two study sites, namely Mlungisi (26°53′E, 31°53′S) and Ezibeleni (26°58′E, 31°53′S), situated within the Chris Hani District Municipality in Eastern Cape Province of South Africa. The usefulness of the FAMACHA© system for identifying goats needing treatment was confirmed. It allowed stock owners to identify badly affected goats accurately, as borne out by the agreement between FAMACHA scores and corresponding haematocrits.