Media release no.
The Kenyan Red Maasai breed of sheep could hold the key to overcoming the worldwide, billion dollar problem of intestinal worms. Dr John Karlsson said the Red Maasai sheep had a naturally high level of resistance to gastro-intestinal worms. Dr Karlsson said the research being made in Kenya could assist the work being done with the Rylington Merino Flock run at Mount Barker Research Station. This information could help the Rylington project, which for 12 years has concentrated on selection methodology based on low worm egg counts. We expect to reach a stage where worm egg counts in the selection line are too low for effective selection and new improved methods for selection are required to make further progress.