2008 Annual Report 1a.Objectives (from AD-416) To identify critical points for the gastrointestinal parasite, "Haemonchus contortus", in meat goats. 1b.Approach (from AD-416) Laboratory, pen feeding, and pasture studies will be conducted with medicinal plants and specific isolated, plant chemical compounds that have anthelmintic properties for small ruminants. Specifically, "Haemonchus contortus" control in pasture-based meat goat finishing systems will be measured by evaluating effects of chemical and physical characteristics of plants on "H. contortus" egg development and larval survival. Information obtained will enhance existing research-based management guidelines related to pasture, feed supplements, parasite control, and meat quality for meat goat producers. 3.Progress Report The overall objective is to identify critical control points for the gastrointestinal parasite, Haemonchus contortus, in meat goats. Accomplishments include collaborations with on-going laboratory studies conducted with traditional and non-traditional forage plants and medicinal plants from which specific plant chemical compounds that have potential anthelmintic effects have been isolated; these isolated compounds are used to evaluate effects on Haemonchus egg hatch and Haemonchus Larval L3 stage survival. This is the final year of a study to evaluate Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm) levels in lambs and goat kids finished on pastures, and the last samples will be collected on 09/27/08. Parasitic worm egg numbers and larval differentiation in fecal cultures from small ruminants (wool lambs, hair sheep lambs, and Boer x Kiko goat kids) will be used to relate level of parasitic barberpole worm numbers to weight gain, blood packed cell volume, and eye membrane color score for better livestock management. In addition, an in vivo assay with gerbils is being used at Blacksburg, VA, to determine the effects of extracts from bioactive plants and isolated plant secondary metabolites (artemisinin and citrus oils) on adult Haomonchus. This project is aligned with NP 215, Pasture, Forage, Turf and Range Land Systems; Component 2. Pasture Management Systems to Improve Economic Viability and Enhance the Environment; Problem Statement E, Need for economically viable pasture-livestock systems for the Mid-South that enhance the environment, and information obtained will enhance existing research-based management guidelines related to pasture, feed supplements, gastrointestinal parasite control, and meat quality for small ruminant producers. The ADODR communicates monthly via telephone and/or site visits with PI in order to coordinate sample analyses and accomplish information exchange/updates. The ADODR provides guidance to PI on required project reports and budget reporting.