UW researchers want to know about livestock parasites

University of Wyoming researchers want to know about the pests that are tormenting cattle and sheep in Wyoming.

Derek Scasta, UW Extension rangeland specialist, said a survey of Wyoming cattle and sheep producers is being conducted to understand the current degree of eternal parasitism, prevalent external parasites, diagnosis and treatment methods in Wyoming livestock as well as the financial impact on Wyoming producers.

He said parasites are broken down into six categories – flies, lice, ticks, mange, cattle pests and sheep pests. He said the university wants to give Wyoming cattle and sheep producers the opportunity to help guide UW’s livestock parasite research and extension efforts.

The survey was created by veterinarian Craig Calkins, a UW Ph.D. student in rangeland ecology and watershed management, with input from others including Shasta, an extension sheep specialist, members of the Wyoming State Veterinary Laboratory and an extension entomologist.

The survey is part of Calkins’ research, and while it may look long, Shasta said, it should allow participants to quickly click through if a particular livestock or parasite species isn’t of interest or concern to them.

He said Calkins has been focused primarily on external parasites, with a particular focus on horn flies, but he’s also interested in other species that parasitize cattle and sheep.

Livestock producers interested in participating in the survey can find it online at bit.ly/externalparasites.