Each year in January and July, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts a Sheep & Goat Inventory Survey.
During the first two weeks of January, producers will be contacted to participate in the Sheep & Goat Inventory Survey. The survey will provide the latest information on conditions and trends in the U.S. sheep & goat industry for 2010.
For convenience, producers have the option of responding to the survey by telephone, mail, during a personal interview, or online.
Results of the survey will be published for release on January 29, 2010.
Source: ASI Weekly News, 12.31.09.
04 January 2010
22 December 2009
CD-T vaccinations
Vaccines are "cheap" insurance against diseases that commonly affect sheep and goats. It is generally recommended that healthy sheep and goats be vaccinated against clostridium perfringins type C and D (overeating disease) and tetanus.Ewes and does should be vaccinated during their last month of pregnancy so that their offspring acquire passive (temporary) immunity from the colostrum (first milk). Passive immunity begins to decline after about four weeks of age. Lambs and kids should receive their first vaccination for CD-T soon thereafter. A common recommendation is to vaccinate lambs and kids when they are approximately 6 and 10 weeks of age.
A pre-lambing vaccination is the only way to provide protection against type C overeating. Lambs and kids whose dams were not vaccinated should be administered the tetanus antitoxin at the time of docking, castrating, and/or disbudding.
Read full article
19 December 2009
Sheep Industry Survey
The American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) is conducting a survey as part of an ongoing national effort to assist the newly formed Rebuilding the Sheep Industry Taskforce that is working to strengthen U.S. sheep production and to address questions regarding product purchases to entice more companies to support industry programs.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services is looking to gather information about predation and the use of livestock protection dogs.
Members of ASI should receive a copy of the survey in the mail. Otherwise, the survey can be filled out and submitted online at SurveyMonkey.
Completed surveys must be completed by January 11, 2010. Those who complete the survey online will be entered in a drawing for one of five $250 Visa gift cards.
www.surveymonkey.com/s/2HY5C7T
In addition, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services is looking to gather information about predation and the use of livestock protection dogs.Members of ASI should receive a copy of the survey in the mail. Otherwise, the survey can be filled out and submitted online at SurveyMonkey.
Completed surveys must be completed by January 11, 2010. Those who complete the survey online will be entered in a drawing for one of five $250 Visa gift cards.
www.surveymonkey.com/s/2HY5C7T
17 December 2009
2010 Maryland Meat Goat Test
No significant changes are planned for the 2010 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test. The test will be conducted from June 4 until October 2, 2010, at the University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research & Education Center (WMREC) in Keedysville, Maryland.
The test is open to weanling male goats of any breed or breed cross, with or without registration papers or registration eligibility. The goats must be born between December 15, 2009, and March 20, 2010 (inclusive) and weigh from 35 to 70 lbs. upon delivery to the test site on June 4. The test is open to breeders from any state. A breeder may consign up to five goats. A maximum of 70 goats will be accepted for the 2010 test.
The nomination period is April 1 through May 15, 2010. A $20 nomination fee must accompany each nomination. The fee for testing a goat remains unchanged at $85 per goat. Nomination forms and other documents pertinent to the test may be downloaded from the blog after the first of the year. Nomination packets may also be requested via mail from Pam Thomas at (301) 432-2767 x315.
The Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test was initiated in 2006 to evaluate the performance of meat goats on a pasture-only diet with natural exposure to internal parasites. The test is most suitable for breeders who raise their goats mostly on pasture, with little or no grain supplementation.
A field day, sale, and skillathon will be held at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro, MD, on Saturday, October 2. The top-performing bucks will be sold, along with does.
The test is open to weanling male goats of any breed or breed cross, with or without registration papers or registration eligibility. The goats must be born between December 15, 2009, and March 20, 2010 (inclusive) and weigh from 35 to 70 lbs. upon delivery to the test site on June 4. The test is open to breeders from any state. A breeder may consign up to five goats. A maximum of 70 goats will be accepted for the 2010 test.The nomination period is April 1 through May 15, 2010. A $20 nomination fee must accompany each nomination. The fee for testing a goat remains unchanged at $85 per goat. Nomination forms and other documents pertinent to the test may be downloaded from the blog after the first of the year. Nomination packets may also be requested via mail from Pam Thomas at (301) 432-2767 x315.
The Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test was initiated in 2006 to evaluate the performance of meat goats on a pasture-only diet with natural exposure to internal parasites. The test is most suitable for breeders who raise their goats mostly on pasture, with little or no grain supplementation.
A field day, sale, and skillathon will be held at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro, MD, on Saturday, October 2. The top-performing bucks will be sold, along with does.
14 December 2009
Annual VA-NC Shepherd's Symposium
The annual Virginia-North Carolina Shepherd's Symposium will be held Friday and Saturday, January 8-9, 2010, at the Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena on Plantation Road in Blacksburg, Virginia.
Friday's program will be Sheep Management 101, an all-day hands-on clinic for beginning shepherds. Participation is limited to the first 30. The Shepherd's Symposium on Saturday will include presentations on successful lambing, genetic improvement of parasite resistance, on-farm disposal of animal mortality, lamb marketing, ewe nutrition, and lamb carcass fabrication.
The pre-registration deadline is January 1. There is a $25 registation fee for Sheep Management 101. Registration for Saturday is $30 for adults and $15 for youth. Full registration includes lunch, breaks, and materials.
Checks made payable to VSPA should be mailed to Virginia Sheep Producers Association, Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. For more information, contact Dr. Scott Greiner at (540) 231-9163 or sgreiner@vt.edu.
Download program brochure
Friday's program will be Sheep Management 101, an all-day hands-on clinic for beginning shepherds. Participation is limited to the first 30. The Shepherd's Symposium on Saturday will include presentations on successful lambing, genetic improvement of parasite resistance, on-farm disposal of animal mortality, lamb marketing, ewe nutrition, and lamb carcass fabrication.
The pre-registration deadline is January 1. There is a $25 registation fee for Sheep Management 101. Registration for Saturday is $30 for adults and $15 for youth. Full registration includes lunch, breaks, and materials.
Checks made payable to VSPA should be mailed to Virginia Sheep Producers Association, Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061. For more information, contact Dr. Scott Greiner at (540) 231-9163 or sgreiner@vt.edu.
Download program brochure
12 December 2009
New Wild & Woolly newsletter
The Winter 2009 issue of Wild & Woolly has been published to the web at www.sheepandgoat.com/news/index.html. Wild & Woolly is a newsletter for sheep and goat producers and anyone else interested in sheep and goat production and marketing. It is published quarterly by the University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research & Education Center.
Mailed copies of the newsletter are available for a cost recovery fee of $10 per year, made payable to the University of Maryland. Past issues of the newsletter may be accessed at www.sheepandgoat.com/news/main.html.
To be added to the newsletter e-mail reflector list, contact Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu or Pam Thomas at pthomas@umd.edu. Subscribers receive an e-mail message when a new issue of the newsletter has been posted to the web.
Mailed copies of the newsletter are available for a cost recovery fee of $10 per year, made payable to the University of Maryland. Past issues of the newsletter may be accessed at www.sheepandgoat.com/news/main.html.
To be added to the newsletter e-mail reflector list, contact Susan Schoenian at sschoen@umd.edu or Pam Thomas at pthomas@umd.edu. Subscribers receive an e-mail message when a new issue of the newsletter has been posted to the web.
10 December 2009
New small plant help-desk
USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) recently announced the opening of its new small plant help-desk, which will provide for operators of small and very small meat, poultry and processed egg products establishments seeking help with agency requirements with direct access to knowledgeable staff specialists.
The help-desk also will provide assistance to state and local food regulatory agencies, FSIS' partners in keeping meat, poultry and egg products safe for consumers.
The new help-desk will support USDA's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative by helping small processors to reduce the time and expense of dealing with agency requirements. "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" is designed to continue the national conversation about developing local and regional food systems and finding ways to support small and mid-sized producers.
It emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers, building on the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides additional flexibility for USDA programs to promote local foods. More information on the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative can be found at: www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer .
The FSIS small plant help-desk will serve as a "one-stop shop" for plant owners and operators with questions. More than 90% of the 6,000 plants inspected by FSIS are small or very small.
Source: USDA News Room
The help-desk also will provide assistance to state and local food regulatory agencies, FSIS' partners in keeping meat, poultry and egg products safe for consumers.The new help-desk will support USDA's "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative by helping small processors to reduce the time and expense of dealing with agency requirements. "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" is designed to continue the national conversation about developing local and regional food systems and finding ways to support small and mid-sized producers.
It emphasizes the need for a fundamental and critical reconnection between producers and consumers, building on the 2008 Farm Bill, which provides additional flexibility for USDA programs to promote local foods. More information on the "Know Your Farmer, Know Your Food" initiative can be found at: www.usda.gov/knowyourfarmer .
The FSIS small plant help-desk will serve as a "one-stop shop" for plant owners and operators with questions. More than 90% of the 6,000 plants inspected by FSIS are small or very small.
Source: USDA News Room
09 December 2009
Wool and mohair loan rates
USDA recently announced 2010 national loan rates for wool and mohair. Starting next year, loan rates and posted prices will no longer be regionally-based.
The 2010 national loan rate for ungraded wool is $0.40 per lb. The loan rate for graded wool is much higher and depends upon the grade (micron count) of the wool. The loan rate for mohair is $4 per lb.
Regional prices will continue to be announced through January 2010. The final date to apply for marketing assistance loans or loan deficiency payments (LDPs) for wool and mohair shorn in 2009 or unshorn pelts for lambs slaughtered in 2009 is February 1, 2010.
Producers are eligible to receive loan deficiency payments for wool and unshorn lambs. An LDP is the difference between the loan rate (currently $0.42) and loan repayment rate (currently $0.13). Thus, the current LDP for Region I ungraded shorn wool is $0.29 per lb. For unshorn lambs, the payment rate is 6.865 lbs. x the LDP rate (or $1.99 per lamb).
Producers must sign up for the LDP program at local FSA offices before giving up ownership of wool or lambs.
Read news release from USDA FSA
The 2010 national loan rate for ungraded wool is $0.40 per lb. The loan rate for graded wool is much higher and depends upon the grade (micron count) of the wool. The loan rate for mohair is $4 per lb.Regional prices will continue to be announced through January 2010. The final date to apply for marketing assistance loans or loan deficiency payments (LDPs) for wool and mohair shorn in 2009 or unshorn pelts for lambs slaughtered in 2009 is February 1, 2010.
Producers are eligible to receive loan deficiency payments for wool and unshorn lambs. An LDP is the difference between the loan rate (currently $0.42) and loan repayment rate (currently $0.13). Thus, the current LDP for Region I ungraded shorn wool is $0.29 per lb. For unshorn lambs, the payment rate is 6.865 lbs. x the LDP rate (or $1.99 per lamb).
Producers must sign up for the LDP program at local FSA offices before giving up ownership of wool or lambs.
Read news release from USDA FSA
Date Correction
A wrong date was given for the Advanced Sheep & Goat Care program at the Washington County Extension Office. The correct dates are January 12 and 19 - Tuesdays.
08 December 2009
Advanced Sheep & Goat Care
On January 12 and 19, 2010, the Washington County Office of University of Maryland Extension will be hosting a program on Advanced Sheep & Goat Care. In addition to assisting producers with health care decisions, this course is also geared toward helping producers make breeding and management decisions that will produce lower maintenance and healthier animals.
The sessions will be held at the Washington County Extension Office from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Pre-registration is requested. Call (301) 791-1304 for more information or to register. There is a $5 fee to attend. Space is limited.
The sessions will be held at the Washington County Extension Office from 7 to 9:30 p.m. Pre-registration is requested. Call (301) 791-1304 for more information or to register. There is a $5 fee to attend. Space is limited.
02 December 2009
Small Ruminant Basics
The Baltimore County Office of the University of Maryland Extension will be offering a program titled “Introduction to Sheep and Goat Production”; a four-night course focused on the basics of small ruminant production. This course is designed to give novice producers a strong base for developing a successful operation.
The classes will be held on Wednesday nights beginning January 13, 2010 and running through February 3, 2010. Classes will be 6:30 pm to 8:45 pm at the Baltimore County Extension Office at 1840 York Road (Suite J) in Timonium, Maryland.
This course is designed for older youth and adults who are new to the sheep and goat business as well as novice producers who would like to increase their knowledge of sheep and goats. Topics to be covered include basic animal needs, breeds, marketing, finishing animals on pasture, planning a small farm operation, and animal health.
Course registration for the program series is $10 for youth 14-19 years old and $20 for adults. Please contact the Baltimore County Extension office at (410) 666-1022 or pmoore@umd.edu to register or for more information. Space is limited so please register early.
The classes will be held on Wednesday nights beginning January 13, 2010 and running through February 3, 2010. Classes will be 6:30 pm to 8:45 pm at the Baltimore County Extension Office at 1840 York Road (Suite J) in Timonium, Maryland.
This course is designed for older youth and adults who are new to the sheep and goat business as well as novice producers who would like to increase their knowledge of sheep and goats. Topics to be covered include basic animal needs, breeds, marketing, finishing animals on pasture, planning a small farm operation, and animal health.
Course registration for the program series is $10 for youth 14-19 years old and $20 for adults. Please contact the Baltimore County Extension office at (410) 666-1022 or pmoore@umd.edu to register or for more information. Space is limited so please register early.
01 December 2009
Wisconsin Dairy Sheep School
With Wisconsin leading the nation with the number of dairy sheep farms and overall sheep milk production, the Dairy Business Innovation Center, the Spooner Agricultural Research Station, and the University of Wisconsin Cooperative Extension have teamed up to host the first Wisconsin Dairy Sheep School in March 2010.
While Wisconsin produced more than 1 million pounds of sheep milk in 2009, the demand for sheep milk still outpaces supply. The new Dairy Sheep School will be offered to train new producers in an effort to increase the supply of quality sheep milk.
The five-day course will be held March 6-10 at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station in northern Wisconsin. The course will feature lectures on topics such as weaning and artificial rearing of lambs, mastitis and milk quality, parlor design and milking machine function, ewe nutrition, and milk handling regulations. In addition, the five-day course will provide hands-on experience in the milking parlor and caring for young lambs, reinforcing information provided in daily lectures.
As space in the milking parlor and barn are limited, course enrollment will be capped at 14 students. Enrollment preference will be given to Wisconsin residents and those interested in commercial dairy sheep production.
For more information about the Dairy Sheep School, contact Claire Mikolayunas, DBIC Dairy Sheep Specialist, at 608-332-2889 or clairemikolay@gmail.com or visit the DBIC web site at http://www.dbicusa.org/sheeps_milk.php.
Download program brochure
While Wisconsin produced more than 1 million pounds of sheep milk in 2009, the demand for sheep milk still outpaces supply. The new Dairy Sheep School will be offered to train new producers in an effort to increase the supply of quality sheep milk.
The five-day course will be held March 6-10 at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station in northern Wisconsin. The course will feature lectures on topics such as weaning and artificial rearing of lambs, mastitis and milk quality, parlor design and milking machine function, ewe nutrition, and milk handling regulations. In addition, the five-day course will provide hands-on experience in the milking parlor and caring for young lambs, reinforcing information provided in daily lectures.As space in the milking parlor and barn are limited, course enrollment will be capped at 14 students. Enrollment preference will be given to Wisconsin residents and those interested in commercial dairy sheep production.
For more information about the Dairy Sheep School, contact Claire Mikolayunas, DBIC Dairy Sheep Specialist, at 608-332-2889 or clairemikolay@gmail.com or visit the DBIC web site at http://www.dbicusa.org/sheeps_milk.php.
Download program brochure
30 November 2009
Effect of high tannin grain sorghum
Condensed tannins are plant compounds that have been shown to have anti-parasitic activity. However, not all condensed tannins are equal.
Three experiments were conducted at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to determine the influence of high condensed tannin grain sorghum on gastrointestinal parasite fecal egg counts.
Sixteen naturally-infected Boer crossbred mixed-sex goats were used in the experiments. They were fed treatment diets, containing high or low condensed tannin cracked grain sorghum, for 14 or 21 days.
In these studies, high condensed tannin grain sorghum did not consistently influence fecal egg counts and did not impact packed cell volumes or the number of animals requiring chemical anthelmintic treatment.
Source: Small Ruminant Journal. November 2009.
Three experiments were conducted at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) to determine the influence of high condensed tannin grain sorghum on gastrointestinal parasite fecal egg counts.Sixteen naturally-infected Boer crossbred mixed-sex goats were used in the experiments. They were fed treatment diets, containing high or low condensed tannin cracked grain sorghum, for 14 or 21 days.
In these studies, high condensed tannin grain sorghum did not consistently influence fecal egg counts and did not impact packed cell volumes or the number of animals requiring chemical anthelmintic treatment.
Source: Small Ruminant Journal. November 2009.
28 November 2009
Featured product: lamb coats
Good Shepherd Lamb & Dog Coats are natural wool coats specially designed to help maintain the core body temperature of newborn, sick or frail lambs, goats, and crias and to keep cold doggies warm. They are designed by Linda O'Brien, a Southern Maryland shepherd.
Good Shepherd Lamb Coats do not restrict movement and are fluid resistant. The chest piece covers the lamb's chest and insulates it from the damp and coldness of the ground and prevents chilling of the lamb. The coats are available in solid colors, with contrasting trim. Call for availability of colors.
Good Shepherd Lamb Coats are currently available in two sizes: small (6-10 lbs.) and medium (11-15 lbs). An extra small size will soon be available. Good Shepherd Lamb & Dog Coats are extremely durable and easily cleaned. They can be washed and dried in the home laundry.
Good Shepherd Lamb Coats
Special thanks to Linda for donating several coats as door prizes at the recent Lambing & Kididng School.
Good Shepherd Lamb Coats do not restrict movement and are fluid resistant. The chest piece covers the lamb's chest and insulates it from the damp and coldness of the ground and prevents chilling of the lamb. The coats are available in solid colors, with contrasting trim. Call for availability of colors.Good Shepherd Lamb Coats are currently available in two sizes: small (6-10 lbs.) and medium (11-15 lbs). An extra small size will soon be available. Good Shepherd Lamb & Dog Coats are extremely durable and easily cleaned. They can be washed and dried in the home laundry.
Good Shepherd Lamb Coats
Special thanks to Linda for donating several coats as door prizes at the recent Lambing & Kididng School.
23 November 2009
80 attend Lambing & Kidding School
Approximately 80 people from six states attend the 2009 Lambing & Kidding School, held November 21 in Waldorf, Maryland. The bi-annual school is sponsored by University of Maryland Extension.
The main speaker was Dr. Susan Kerr, an Extension Educator and veterinarian from Washington State University. Dr. Kerr's participation in the school was sponsored by Northeast Sustainable Agriculture and Research (SARE).
The main speaker was Dr. Susan Kerr, an Extension Educator and veterinarian from Washington State University. Dr. Kerr's participation in the school was sponsored by Northeast Sustainable Agriculture and Research (SARE).
Door prizes were donated by Premier Sheep Supplies, Milk Specialties Company, and Good Shepherd Lamb Coats. Shepherd Magazine provided flock record books and color copies of the excellent publication, "Why didn't it live?" by Joe Rook.
Participants in the school received a resource notebook and various other handouts. The contents of the notebook (and other handouts) are available for download at www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/09LKSchoolNotebook.html.
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