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Small Ruminants

All Small Ruminants Content

small group of sheep standing in a pasture

Sheep & Goats

South Dakota ranks sixth nationally in sheep and wool production. And the industry is growing.

A person holds a sheep to their chest and uses shears to shear the sheep's wool off it's stomach
Oct 24

Sheep Shearing School

SDSU Extension will host a sheep shearing school for anyone wanting to learn how to shear a sheep from professional sheep shearers, from October 24-26 at the SDSU Sheep Research and Teaching Unit (3729 Medary Ave., Brookings, SD 57007).

a while dog sitting in a field with sheep.

Livestock Guardian Dogs That Work: Practical Tips Backed by Producers and Science

Livestock Guard Dogs are indispensable partners in predator protection for sheep and other livestock.

Pregnant sheep ultrasound day 25

Detecting Pregnancy and Litter Size in Ewes Using Ultrasound

Guide providing insights on optimal timing for pregnancy scanning, what to look for at different gestational stages, and practical ultrasound techniques for the best results.

Three brown yearlings eating from a feeding trough.

Animal Science Research and Extension Report

Research report from Animal Science Department covering a variety of areas in livestock production.

SDSU meat counter decorated for the holidays. Four employees stand at the front counter smiling.

Direct Marketing Lamb: Selling to the Ethnic Market

The ethnic market plays a crucial role in the success of the American lamb industry. Learn some keys to success for taking advantage of seasonal demand and price fluctuations in this growing market, including when and where to sell.

A man in a warehouse surrounded by bags of wool speaks to a group of people

Applications open for SDSU Extension Elevate Ewe program

August 22, 2025

South Dakota State University Extension is inviting beginning sheep producers to apply to the 2024-2025 Elevate Ewe program.

Producer feeding a flock of sheep

Elevate Ewe

Elevate Ewe is designed for beginning sheep producers who want to develop or improve a full or part-time sheep operation.

A newborn lamb.

Navel Dips for Lambs and Kids

Treating umbilical cords with a navel dip at birth is recommended to ensure a healthy start for lambs and kids and preventing the occurrence of navel (joint) ill.

Newborn lamb in lambing barn.

Lamb Birth Weights in Relation to Lamb Survivability

To increase survival, lamb birth weights cannot be overlooked. Learn some key management factors for optimizing birth weights this lambing season.