Livestock

All Livestock Content

Sheep at a freshly cleaned watering station.

Sheep Water Requirements and Quality Testing

Water intake is critical for ensuring flock health, performance and heat stress mitigation. Learn some key considerations for water quality and intake requirements.

Breeding goat in a show pen.

Summer Sheep and Goat Show Sale Requirements

Summer is on the way and with it many sheep and goat shows and sales. Do you have the right documentation to be transporting your animals?

A mother sheep cleaning its newborn lamb in a pen.

Colostrum for Lambs

Fact sheet about the importance of colostrum for lambs

Veterinarian using a digital tablet in a sheep barn.

Clostridial Disease Management and Vaccines for Sheep and Goats

Vaccination against clostridium perfringens is universally recommended for small ruminants. Learn some expert vaccine considerations for both sheep and goats.

small group of sheep standing in a pasture

South Dakota Sheep and Goat Needs Assessment

A summary of South Dakota responses to guide on-going Extension efforts for South Dakota sheep and goat producers.

Fleece of sheep wool with visible plant matter throughout.

Wool Evaluation 101

Guide to evaluating wool.

Four sheep feeding at a sheep feeder.

Nutritional Considerations for Flocks During Breeding Season

Optimizing flock nutrition throughout the breeding season can help improve conception rates, lambing percentages and ram longevity.

small group of sheep standing in a pasture

Managing Sheep Body Condition Score Throughout the Year

This fact sheet and barn reference are for sheep producers to implement body condition scoring in their management practices.

White goat resting in a drought-stressed pasture.

Heat Stress in Small Ruminants

The Upper Midwest provides periods of extreme heat during summer and shorter periods of heat stress potential during spring and fall. Are your sheep and goats cool enough in their environment?

A pile of sheep fleeces ready for sorting.

Considerations for Increasing Wool Value

The wool market continually rewards those who emphasize high-quality production. Efforts to increase wool clip value can be made through regular management practices and proper wool clip preparation at shearing.