Content by Jaelyn Whaley
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.
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?
Drought Considerations for Grazing Range Flocks
Having a drought plan in place to best manage pastures is critical in being prepared for next year’s grazing season. Make decisions that will manage risk and promote both flock and financial longevity.
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.
Are Your Dewormers Effective For Your Sheep or Goat?
Using an effective dewormer properly can be part of a strategy in preventing internal parasites in sheep and goats. So how do you know if your dewormer is effective, and what does it mean to use it properly?
Economically Relevant Wool Traits and Wool Heritability
South Dakota is known for a high reputation wool clip. Emphasis on economically important wool traits coupled with careful genetic selection helps promote production, profitability and sustainability in an operation.
Livestock Guardian Dogs for Improved Protection
Most sheep producers will use a variety of methods to protect their flock, but one that has increased interest is the use of livestock guardian dogs.
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.
National Sheep Improvement Program: Performance-based data you can rely on
Sheep producers continually look for opportunities to improve their flocks through the introduction of genetic traits that will contribute to both improve the performance and physical appearance of the offspring. For hundreds of years, producers used the phenotype or physical appearance traits to select replacement stock, followed by performance trials and wool testing to quantitatively define the traits a specific animal may possess.