Thirty-four farmers completed a livestock deworming workshop hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, and are now better equipped to protect their animals’ health and their farms' profitability. Photo: Department of Agriculture & Fisheries

Each farmer received a certificate upon completion of the livestock deworming workshop hosted by the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries. Photo: Department of Agriculture & Fisheries

The one-day livestock deworming workshop was held at the Learning Resource Centre at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC). Photo: HLSCC

The one-day workshop was held at the  Learning Resource Centre at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College (HLSCC).

Something to celebrate- Mr Theodore E James

“This is something to celebrate,” Director of Agriculture and Fisheries, Mr Theodore E. James, said, describing the turnout as a milestone for the Virgin Islands’ livestock sector.

He said the fact that thirty-four farmers took a day away from their farms to invest in their own knowledge and in the health of their animals “tells us our farmers are serious about raising the standard of livestock care in the Virgin Islands, and the Department is proud to stand with them”. 

Mr James urged participants to see their farms as businesses and their animals as their most valuable assets.

“You are not only farm owners. You are the Chief Executive Officers of your businesses…Your livestock are the assets that bring in the money, and a business that neglects its main asset won’t last long. Worms don’t announce themselves. They show up as weight loss, poor growth, low productivity and sometimes the loss of an animal. Each of those is money leaving your pocket.”

Mr James also stressed the value of good record keeping.

Putting lessons into action

Presentations during the workshop covered common gastrointestinal parasites of livestock, with particular attention to the barber pole worm in sheep and goats. Preventing infection and reinfection was another key focus. 

Practical sessions helped to put the lessons into action through demonstrations of animal assessment and correct deworming technique; farmers learned to estimate an animal’s weight with a weight tape, calculate the correct dose of commonly used dewormers and administer treatment accurately. 

The department said it will build on this success by offering further training in the future for crop, livestock, fish and bee farmers and producers. “This workshop is only the beginning…We will keep bringing practical, hands-on training to farmers and producers across every sector we serve. When our farmers grow stronger, the Territory’s food security grows stronger,’ Mr James promised.