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

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 degrees 53'E, 31 degrees 53'S) and Ezibeleni (26 degrees 58'E, 31 degrees 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.