By N.C. Agricultural and Technical State University

In the tech hub of Research Triangle Park, the phrase "artificial intelligence" conjures images of advanced algorithms. In east Greensboro, North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, is applying AI in a practical way to address a persistent challenge controlling internal parasites in small ruminants.

Intestinal parasites, particularly the barber pole worm, pose a significant threat to goat and sheep producers; in North Carolina, the parasite has a multi-million-dollar impact on the state’s agricultural economy. As the barber pole worm develops resistance to common deworming medications — a situation reminiscent of antibiotic resistance in humans — producers find themselves in a precarious position.

Mulumebet Worku, Ph.D., the principal investigator in the Laboratory for Studies in Animal Genomic Diversity and a faculty member in the Dept. of Animal Sciences at N.C, A&T, understands the vulnerabilities small-scale producers face.

“Many of these farmers operate with limited resources, and this parasite diminishes animal health and productivity,” she said.

In response, Worku and collaborator Yaser Ahmed, Ph.D., are investigating genetic approaches and natural supplements that can be easily integrated into livestock care.

“Producers require solutions that fit seamlessly into their routines. Continuous testing and regular de-wormer administration are not feasible long-term strategies,” Ahmed said.

The N.C. A&T team has embarked on a comprehensive study to evaluate the effectiveness of biological extracts to reduce parasitism in goats and sheep. Using principles analogous to clinical trials, study lab members including undergraduate and graduate students collected goat health data for the placebo and the control over multiple seasons.

“Collecting data in such detail feels like a full-time job. The effects of these biological supplements are not always visible right away, which adds to the uncertainty,” said doctoral student Priyanka Pande.

Prior research has established that biological supplements like garlic extract can have beneficial effects; eight published manuscripts detail its physiological impacts on livestock. The current research aims to explore whether different breeds, such as St. Croix sheep and Boer goats, respond differently to garlic’s anti-parasitic effects.

Data interpretation is crucial in these studies, especially given the subtle interactions that biological products exhibit, according to John Gottula, Ph.D., an agricultural biostatistician at North Carolina-based SAS Institute.

“Having data is just the beginning; understanding it is where the real work lies,” he says. “Environmental variables and random noise can obscure the results, making analytics essential for clarity.”

Worku’s research team uses the SAS Viya platform, an advanced analytics system developed by SAS, to extract insights from their findings. Supported by North Carolina’s statewide Agriculture Analytics Platform Initiative, this program has provided researchers with tools to enhance collaboration and accelerate their analytical processes.

“We all bring different experiences to the table,” research associate Sanjaya Ghirmire, another member of the N.C. A&T team, said. “The system allowed us to align our ideas and reach conclusions in record time without getting bogged down in code or spreadsheets.”

The findings from the garlic extract research are expected to be published early next year, pending a thorough peer review process. If the results are promising, the implications could be significant for North Carolina’s livestock producers.

Worku is optimistic but cautious.

“We are gathering evidence on the efficacy of the supplement across different breeds,” she said. “Our ultimate goal is to share validated information with producers swiftly.”