Latest Article by Dr. Besser

[Taffy]

This article was printed in the latest issue of the Wild Sheep Foundations publication.


  Domestic Goat Risk to BHS Besser.pdf (Size: 961.51 KB / Downloads: 25)

[Nanno]

Finally had time to read and comment on this. Very interesting change of position by Dr. Besser on the packgoat issue! This looks hopeful! The Movi testing seems to be paying off.

[IdahoNancy]

It is intensely curious to me that Dr Besser downgraded his goat MOVI prevalence from an estimated 90% at the Forest Service meeting in Pendleton Nov, 2015 to a current estimate in this article to 50%.
“in my admittedly small sample size testing, are likely to carry M.ovipneumoniae at relatively high prevelance (50% or higher).”
Hopefully in our study project the separation of packgoats from all meat and weed goats will give us some evidence of prevalence. Dr Besser notes we pose relatively the same risk as cattle, llamas and horses. The change in his goat MOVI prevalence estimate has likely changed in light of our USDA Animal Research Disease Packgoat MOVI screening and prevalence study. He was wrong about the 90% goat prevalence estimate but that did not stop him from presenting the information in person to the Forest Service Land Management revision team in Pendelton last fall.
Packgoat enthusiast in all western states need to be diligent in seeking out Forest revision plans and getting accurate information in front of the decision team before the drafts are even written. If we pose similar Bighorn sheep pneumonia mortality risks as horses and cattle we need to fight for our rights to have our packgoats on public land. With that we obviously need to take responsibility for MOVI testing of our goats which would make our risk less than other livestock.

[nebs]

Well said Nancy!