American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control

Joan Burke is a Research Animal Scientist with USDA-ARS since 1999.  She received a B.S. in Animal Science from Cornell University and Ph.D. from Oregon State University. Dr. Burke conducts research on small ruminants with a focus on holistic gastrointestinal parasite control. She has published research articles, fact sheets and contributed to outreach events on the validation of the FAMACHA© system in the U.S., use of copper oxide wire particles to control Haemonchus contortus, feeding sericea lespedeza to aid in the control of gastrointestinal nematodes, using rotational grazing to minimize the need for deworming lambs, genetic and genomic selection for parasite resistance, resilience and tolerance, and use of Duddingtonia flagrans (nematode-trapping fungus) to control parasites on pastures. The genetic resistance of Katahdin sheep to parasites led to collection of genotypes (~10,000) on 50K SNP that were developed into genomic-enhanced estimated breeding values in the National Sheep Improvement Program. Dr. Burke also has examined the effects of endophyte-infected tall fescue on production and reproduction in sheep and cattle. Dr. Burke has been able to conduct this research through funding by USDA-ARS, USDA-NIFA-OREI, Southern Region SARE, and USDA-SBIR.