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Small Ruminants

All Small Ruminants Content

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

SDSU Extension to host Sheep Shearing School

September 03, 2024

Professional sheep shearers will provide hands-on training in safe animal handling, maintenance equipment and repair, wool quality and how to manage a sheep shearing business.

Row of sheep eating from a trough in a feedlot.

Waterbelly in Small Ruminants

Waterbelly (urolithiasis or urinary calculi) is a concern in male sheep and goats on high-concentrate rations. Knowing its symptoms, forms, and prevention strategies can help you make the best decisions for your flock.

Ultrasound machine used for sheep

Register now for SDSU Extension Sheep Ultrasound Certification School

July 22, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension is hosting a sheep ultrasound certification school from 8 a.m. Aug. 24 to noon Aug. 26, 2024, at the SDSU Sheep Research and Teaching Unit, located 1.5 miles north of the SDSU campus.

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

Sheep producers invited to apply to SDSU Extension Elevate Ewe cohort program

June 28, 2024

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

small group of sheep standing in a pasture

How to Trim Sheep and Goat Hooves

Guide on how to trim sheet and goat hooves

Producer presenting frozen lamb meat products in a deep freezer.

Direct Marketing Lamb: Selling Direct to Consumer

The growing interest in food chain transparency has fostered the growth of direct marketing meat to consumers. Learn some of the challenges and opportunities this style of marketing offers lamb producers.

Man negotiating lamb purchase with female producer.

Direct Marketing Lamb: Selling to the Ethnic Market

The ethnic market plays a big role in the 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.

coyote standing in front of tall grass

SDSU Extension co-hosting livestock seminars at Lemmon farm and home show

March 01, 2024

South Dakota State University Extension will offer advice on managing sheep predators during the KBJM Farm and Home Show on March 8, 2024.

Two white, newborn lambs under a red heat lamp in a barn.

Sheep Facilities and Moisture

Fact sheet for keeping a barn comfortable and dry to increase lamb survival.

A mother sheep cleaning its newborn lamb in a pen.

Colostrum for Lambs

Fact sheet about the importance of colostrum for lambs