Sheep and goat producers in the region have an opportunity to sharpen their parasite management skills this month as the Parasite Patrol Plus workshop comes to the ISU Extension and Outreach Jefferson County office in Fairfield.
The workshop will take place Monday, June 15th from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the ISU Extension and Outreach Jefferson County office, located at 2606 West Burlington Avenue in Fairfield. The event is open to all interested participants and is being held in collaboration with ISU Extension and Outreach Davis County.
The workshop will be led by Carolyn Ihde, small ruminant outreach specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, as part of a combined effort between the UW-Madison Division of Extension and ISU Extension and Outreach. It provides hands-on training and FAMACHA certification opportunities, expanding on the foundational Parasite Patrol program by combining classroom learning with practical experience.
“This program goes beyond the basics,” Ihde said. “Participants take a deeper look at the parasite lifecycle and learn how to use that knowledge to break the cycle on their farms. We also address biosecurity concerns and the risks associated with parasite movement between operations.”
Participants can choose the level of training that best fits their needs. The Parasite Patrol option includes classroom instruction with hands-on fecal egg counting. The full Parasite Patrol Plus option adds FAMACHA certification to the program.
Through the workshop, participants will learn how to perform and interpret fecal egg counts, use FAMACHA scoring for targeted selective treatment, evaluate dewormer effectiveness and identify resistance, understand parasite lifecycles to disrupt transmission, and identify biosecurity risks and strengthen on-farm practices.
Registration fees are $30 for Parasite Patrol and $30 for Parasite Patrol Plus, with a total cost of $60 for the full program. Participants who attended Parasite Patrol in 2025 may register for Parasite Patrol Plus separately. Registration closes Friday, June 12th at 5:00 p.m.
To register or for more information, contact Courtney Burkhalter at 641-472-4166 or cburk@iastate.edu.
