Parasites Archives - Eastern Alliance for Production Katahdins

How Does Selection for Parasite Resistance in Katahdin Sheep Affect Other Important Traits?

Post author:Eastern Alliance
Post published:October 16, 2022
Reading time:6 mins read

Katahdin producers who use NSIP estimated breeding values (EBV) to make selection decisions on replacements for the home flock or for sale often select for more than one trait at a time. In fact, most breeders search for the perfect animal with balanced EBVs, or those that excel in all traits of interest. But what happens when two or more traits are used in selection? Can forward progress be made on both traits?…

Selecting for Parasite Resistant Katahdins

Post author:Eastern Alliance
Post published:June 1, 2021
Reading time:15 mins read

People frequently ask us for suggestions on improving the parasite resistance of their flocks and how to identify resistant animals, and with good reason. Intestinal worms, or parasites, are one of the most limiting factors to profitable production for shepherds raising sheep on pasture. Lambs and late gestation and lactating ewes are the most susceptible. The main parasite of concern in much of the U.S. is Haemonchus contortus or barber pole worm. The…

Production Katahdins

Planning for the Next Generation

Post author:Eastern Alliance
Post published:January 28, 2020
Reading time:7 mins read

to make the most improvement in our flocks, we have to accurately assess the impacts our sires (and dams) are having on their offspring. We need to identify superior sires as lambs and then confirm their superiority by evaluating their offspring.