Animals

Are you a hunter, landowner, or wildlife enthusiast? If so, please join the Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, for an evening workshop about chronic wasting disease (CWD) in Ohio’s wild deer herd.

Chronic Wasting Disease in Ohio’s Wild Deer Herd: What You Need to Know

• August 8 – Hardin County
• August 12 – Union County
• August 29 – Wyandot County
• September 5 – Crawford County
• September 10 – Allen County
• September 12 – Marion County

All workshops are 6:30 – 8:30 pm. See the attached flyer for locations. 

Each workshop will cover:

• What is Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)?
• Navigating Disease Surveillance Area Regulations
• Carcass Handling Restrictions & Best Management Practices
• Where and How can I Test my Deer for CWD?
• How does CWD impact Deer Management?

There is no fee to attend these workshops. Due to space limitations, REGISTRATION is REQUIRED.

Visit go.osu.edu/cwdworkshop to register.

Beef Cattle

Four new articles have been posted in this week’s issue number 1357 of the Ohio BEEF Cattle letter: http://u.osu.edu/beef/

For most Ohio cattlemen, weaning season is quickly approaching. That’s a focus of this week’s BEEF letter postings.

Articles this week include:

• • The Weaning Process, and Assuring Quality
  • Considerations for Preconditioning Calves this Fall
  • Field Days to Examine Crop and Livestock Integration Barriers and Benefits
  • Uncertainty and Variability but not in Cattle

Four new articles have been posted in this week’s issue number 1358 of the Ohio BEEF Cattle letter: http://u.osu.edu/beef/

Proper nutrition involves more than just protein and energy. This week we look at the importance of mineral.

Articles this week include:

• • Mineral Supplementation on Pasture
  • What makes a “Good Complete” Mineral?
  • Fewer Cattle on Feed and Lower Placements
  • Weekly Livestock Comments for August 18, 2023

Four new articles have been posted in this week’s issue number 1359 of the Ohio BEEF Cattle letter: http://u.osu.edu/beef/

Ohio is privileged to be one of only 4 sites Nationally hosting Stockmanship & Stewardship in 2023. This week Christine Gelley offers more detail regarding this unique, two day opportunity coming up on September 29 and 30 in Caldwell.

Articles this week include:

• • Stockmanship and Stewardship Tour for the Beef Industry Hosted in Caldwell, Ohio
  • Corn Silage Pricing Tool
  • August Hay Production Estimates are Encouraging, but Variation Still Exists
  • Feed Situation

Small Ruminant

• Pricing profitably: Direct-to-consumer meat sales have the potential to increase farm revenue
  • By Brianna Gwirtz, OCJ field reporter (Previously published online with Ohio’s Country Journal: August 27, 2023) The input costs to farm have been continually rising Read more…
• The Do’s and Don’ts of Making High Quality Baleage
• What’s so Critical about Fall Cutting?
  • Amber Friedrichsen, Associate Editor, Hay and Forage Grower (Previously published in Hay & Forage Grower: August 29, 2023) The critical fall period for alfalfa has been Read more…
• Small Ruminant Workshops: FAMACHA and Integrated Parasite Management Workshops Announced
  • Dan Lima, OSU Extension Educator, Belmont County Learn about parasite management in sheep and goats and receive your FAMACHA certification. • DATE & TIME: Thursday, Read more…
• Shearing Preparations
  • Before we know it fall will be knocking on our back door. Fall is also a time that is full of management tasks in all Read more…
• Don’t Bet on Wet Hay
  • Mike Rankin, Hay and Forage Grower Managing Editor (Previously published in Hay & Forage Grower: August 8, 2023) It seems drought has dominated the agricultural Read more…
• 2023 Statewide Sheep Shearing School – A Few Spots Still Remain
  • Dr. Brady Campbell, Assistant Professor, OSU State Small Ruminant Extension Specialist A few seats still remain – register today to secure your spot! Event Registration Read more…Read more about 2023 Statewide Sheep Shearing School – A Few Spots Still Remain
• Stewards of the Land
• Gene Editing Could Rid Sheep of Problematic Long Tails
  • Devin Rokyta, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington State University (Previously published online with Washington State University: June 26, 2023) Take a look at what a Read more…

A few seats still remain – register today to secure your spot!

Event Registration Link

The Ohio State University departments of Animal Sciences and Extension are pleased to announce the dates of the 2023 Fall Statewide Ohio Sheep Shearing School to be held on September 22-23, 2023 from 9:00 am – 4:00 pm at the Dave Cable Farm in Hebron, Ohio (10491 Canal Rd., Hebron, OH 43025).

During this two day schooling event, attendees will be given the opportunity to learn how to properly shear a sheep using the Australian shearing method. Those in attendance will be taught by veteran shearers as they walk through each step and demonstrate how to properly position the sheep and shearing hand piece in the correct location. Attendees will also learn to appreciate fleece quality by ensuring that their work station is clear of debris and how to keep the animals fleece all in one piece. This shearing session is open to any and all sheep producers, regardless of your shearing experience. Even if you are an experienced shearer, you are bound to learn something new or to improve upon from the school! Who knows, maybe it could help you shear off a couple of seconds on each sheep that you shear.

New this year, attendees will have the opportunity to try their hand at shearing using a variety of tools including electric hand pieces, drop shaft units, or an attendees personal equipment. We encourage everyone to bring their own shearing equipment as doing so will allow you to become more comfortable with the tools that you own. Additionally, questions about comb and cutter placement as well as maintenance will be discussed. Please note that class space is limited to the first 16 participants with registration due by Friday, September 15th. The cost to attend is $100 which includes a boxed lunch for each day. For those interested in participating in this years school, please be sure to fill out the registration form. Additional information regarding this school and other sheep related events can be found on our Events/Programs page.