Sericea lespedeza (Lespedeza cuneata) is a perennial summer legume with a relatively high condensed-tannin content that can be used as part of an integrated parasite control system. The consortium has investigated several forms of the forage, including sericea hay, ground hay and pelletized sericea hay. Including these in the diet of sheep and goats reduces parasite loads, specifically H. contortus, through the action of specific condensed tannins that change the outer cuticle of the adult worm. The same results were observed with grazed sericea lespedeza. Sericea lespedeza can also be effective as a treatment or preventative of coccidiosis. Feeding sericea lespedeza for the long term can slow growth rates of lambs and kids, and can bind essential trace minerals. Not all varieties of dried sericea lespedeza are effective at barber pole worm control.

Sericea is listed as a noxious weed in some states, and can be unwanted in some ecosystems, such as native grasslands in the Great Plains. Sheep and goats need to adjust to grazing sericea but will quickly learn to feed on this forage. Plant sericea in the spring after the last frost date. Contact your local Cooperative Extension office to ensure sericea is not listed as a noxious weed in your state and for assistance with selecting the best variety for your purposes and area, seed sources, and advice on cultivation.

The consortium found that:

• Grazing sericea lespedeza and feeding sericea hay effectively reduced fecal egg counts (for barber pole worm only) and oocyst counts in goats and sheep, most likely due to the condensed-tannin content of the plant.
• Loose and pelletized sericea hay were effective in reducing fecal egg counts in goats and sheep in some, but not all, studies.
• Grazing kids or lambs on sericea decreased fecal egg counts, which stayed lower while they were grazing sericea and increased when sericea lespedeza was removed from their feeding.
• In animals consuming sericea, the percentage of parasite eggs developing into larvae was reduced, as was the overall number of adult worms.

Farmers should not use sericea as their only method for controlling internal parasites, but rather combine it with other methods.

For more information on using sericea lespedeza see the consortium’s Sericea Lespedeza webpage or ATTRA’s publication, Tools for Managing Internal Parasites in Small Ruminants: Sericea Lespedeza.