OSU Extension: Small Ruminant Newborn Care Survey

Jacci Smith, OSU Extension Educator ANR/4-H, Delaware County

Your small ruminant newborn care management is valuable, tell us about your management practices.

Please take this quick survey to let us know your newborn care management practices and timing.

This expected 10-minute survey is for an Ohio State University research study. https://go.osu.edu/smrumnbc

Small Ruminant Webinars – Genetic Testing: When, What, and Why

Austin Brown, Extension Program Specialist, Small Ruminant Production and Management
(Previously published online with PennState Extension: February 4, 2025)

(Image Source: PSU Extension)

Learn about genetic testing for sheep and goats, including DNA collection, choosing the right tests, and when to test, all to meet your breeding and flock or herd health goals.

Come join the discussion on February 18th at 7:00 PM ET, as Penn State Extension continues its Small Ruminant Winter Webinar Series with an informative session titled “Genetic Testing: When, What, and Why”. This webinar will provide sheep and goat producers with critical insights into genetic testing tools, helping them make informed breeding and management decisions to improve flock and herd productivity.

Genetic testing plays an essential role in livestock selection, enabling producers to identify desirable traits, manage disease resistance, and enhance overall genetic gains. This session will cover key topics, including: Continue reading Small Ruminant Webinars – Genetic Testing: When, What, and Why

Nutrition Throughout Pregnancy for Sheep Flocks

Melanie Barkley, Senior Extension Educator: Livestock, Penn State Extension
(Previously published with Penn State Extension: July 7, 2022)

Feeding the sheep flock is a critical aspect of sheep production and management. Good nutrition influences the overall health status of the entire flock, as well as the growth performance of lambs. This is particularly important throughout the breeding season and pregnancy. Sheep need to eat a balanced diet in order to be healthy and productive.

Proper nutrition starts with the six classes of nutrients. These six classes of nutrients include water, carbohydrates, lipids (fats), protein, vitamins, and minerals. The proper balance of these nutrients can be achieved with a wide range of feed ingredients. A well-balanced diet during pregnancy will help ensure embryo survival and can also lead to healthy and vigorous lambs at birth.

Water is by far the most essential “nutrient” in a sheep diet. Fresh, clean water should always be available. Stale or dirty water will lead to decreased water intake, which ultimately will decrease feed intake. Decreased feed intake will Continue reading Nutrition Throughout Pregnancy for Sheep Flocks

Goat Production: Care and Management of Newborn Kids

Dr. Uma Karki, Associate Professor and State Extension Livestock Specialist, Tuskegee University
(Previously published online with: Tuskegee University, Cooperative Extension Program, College of Agriculture, Environment and Nutrition Sciences, September, 2014)

Introduction
High survival and performance of newborn kids significantly increase the success of goat industry. The objective of good care and management of newborn kids is to minimize their death and enhance performance. In most situations, does take care of their newborn kids and minimum attention may be required from owners. Does with good mothering ability, ability to raise kids with no or minimum problem, and experience clean their kids by licking immediately after kids are born. Moreover, does nourish their kids by producing and letting kids suckle colostrum and milk. Additionally, does keep their kids nearby and protect them from other aggressive animals in the herd. Does bleat from time to time to communicate and get kids’ attention. Similarly, kids in a good health condition stand up, seek for teats, and suckle in about half an hour or so after they are born. All these actions of does and kids play a very important role to develop maternal bond – attachment between does and their newborn kids. Early development of maternal bond is crucial for the survival and growth of newborn kids.

Importance of Colostrum and Milk for Kids
Well-fed does provide enough Continue reading Goat Production: Care and Management of Newborn Kids

Vaginal and Cervical Prolapse in Ruminants

Dr. Jennifer N. Roberts, DVM, DACT, Michigan State University
(Previously published online with Merck Manual Veterinary Manual: September, 2024)

(Image Source: Dr. Robert M. Lofstedt)

Eversion and prolapse of the vagina, with or without prolapse of the cervix, occurs most commonly in cattle and sheep (cows and ewes) and usually occurs in mature animals in the last trimester of pregnancy. A form of vaginal prolapse also occurs in dogs.

Predisposing factors include increased intra-abdominal pressure associated with the gravid uterus, intra-abdominal fat, and rumen distention plus relaxation and softening of the pelvic girdle and associated soft-tissue structures of the pelvic canal and perineum mediated by increased circulating concentrations of estrogens and relaxin during late pregnancy. Increased intra-abdominal pressure in recumbent animals may contribute to eversion of the vaginal tissue. Continue reading Vaginal and Cervical Prolapse in Ruminants

Frost Seeding Clover: A Recipe for Success

Chris D. Teutsch, S. Ray Smith, and Jimmy Henning, University of Kentucky

Figure 1. Clover and other legumes are an important part of sustainable grassland ecosystems. They form a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria in which nitrogen from the air into a plant available form, improve nutritive value, and help to alleviate tall fescue toxicosis. (Photo by Chris Teutsch)

Legumes are an essential part of a strong and healthy grassland ecosystems (Figure 1). They form a symbiotic relationship with Rhizobium bacteria in which the bacteria fix nitrogen from the air into a plant available form and share it with the legume. Clover also increases forage quality and quantity and helps to manage tall fescue toxicosis. In the past, the positive impact of clover on tall fescue toxicosis has always been thought to simply be a dilution effect, but new research from the USDA’s Forage Animal Production Unit in Lexington shows that compounds found in red clover can reverse vasoconstriction that is caused by the ergot alkaloids in toxic tall fescue. The primary compound found in red clover is a vasodilator called Biochanin A.

Clover stands in pastures thin overtime due to various factors and require reseeding every three to four years. There are several techniques for reintroducing clover into pastures including no-till seeding, minimum tillage, and frost seeding. Of these techniques, frost seeding requires the least amount of equipment and is the simplest to implement. Frost seeding is accomplished Continue reading Frost Seeding Clover: A Recipe for Success

Working in Cold Temperatures

Wayne Dellinger, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Union County

(Image Source: weather.gov/safety)

With snow covering much of the landscape for over a week now, we will now get arctic cold temperatures and windchills with daily high temperatures that will be the coldest in roughly ten years. It is interesting to note that the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) documents that there are more deaths in the United States due to cold weather exposure (hypothermia) than hot weather exposure (hyperthermia) each year. The CDC has also tracked an average of 1,300 deaths per year in the US due to excessive cold or hypothermia.

Many jobs are affected little with the change in temperature outside, but others do not have that luxury. Occupations such as agriculture (and others) work outside a great deal no matter what the conditions. Helpful reminders are often beneficial to keep safe while accomplishing these tasks.

Everyone responds to Continue reading Working in Cold Temperatures

‘Solar Shepherds’ Earn Big by Grazing Sheep on Solar Farms

Dr. Joshua M. Pearce, John M. Thompson Chair in Information Technology and Innovation and Professor, Western University
(Previously published online with Morning Agclips: January 17, 2025)

(Image Source: American Lamb Board)

Sheep-based agrivoltaics is a particularly good symbiotic system where every participant benefits, states Western University’s Joshua M. Pearce.

In today’s volatile economy, job stability can often be found in unexpected places — like returning to the traditional role of shepherding. Solar shepherds, who manage sheep grazing under solar panels, are part of a growing movement that combines agriculture and renewable energy — and offers high incomes in the process.

My recent study, conducted with Ivey Business School alum Adam Gasch and professional shepherd Rafael Lara from The Lara Costa, found that modern solar shepherding businesses in places like Ontario can pull incomes equivalent to doctors, senior engineers, or even lawyers.

These solar shepherds are the vanguard of a new type of farming called Continue reading ‘Solar Shepherds’ Earn Big by Grazing Sheep on Solar Farms