Month: February 2025

Heat Lamp Use for Newborn Livestock

OSU Extension Agricultural Safety and Health Team
Sabrina Schirtzinger, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Knox County
Wayne Dellinger, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Union County
Dee Jepsen, Ag Safety and Health SpecialistDee Jepsen, Ag Safety and Health Specialist

It’s that time of year when we hear in the news of barn fires as a result of heat lamps being used for lambing, kidding, and even calving. As temperatures get colder, livestock producers raising young animals need to make conditions favorable for rearing newborns in adverse conditions. Adding heat lamps to livestock pens should be done with caution. With any electrical appliance or heating source, precautions need to be taken.

If you must use a heat lamp, best management practices recommend the following tips: Continue reading Heat Lamp Use for Newborn Livestock →

The Ohio Agroforestry Summit

Meghan Edwards, School of Environment and Natural Resources Graduate Student, The Ohio State University

All are welcome to join us in Wooster on March 7th at 9am for the Ohio Agroforestry Summit, where you will hear from practitioners experienced in silvopasture, forest farming, and alley cropping, and have the opportunity to join roundtable discussions with other farmers on the future of agroforestry in our state. Register by February 20th to have a lunch reserved for you.

Registration is now open! Use the QR code above to sign up. For more information, visit go.osu.edu/AFsummit.

A Breeding Program for Fall Lambing

Gerlad Q. Fitch, Extension Sheep Specialist, Oklahoma State University
(Previously published by Oklahoma State University Extension: February, 2017)

There are many advantages to lambing in October and November in Oklahoma. Small grain pastures can be utilized by the lactating ewes, which have lambed during the mild fall weather. There are no parasite problems for the growing lambs, and the lambs can be sold on the high April and May markets before the summer heat arrives. The only lambs that need to be carried through the summer are replacement ewe lambs.

To accomplish this program, a strict schedule of breeding and lambing activities is necessary. Only certain breeds and breed crosses can be utilized successfully, and an efficient lamb growing and finishing program is needed. The initial program can be successful and reasonably profitable, but the enterprise will become more efficient and profitable if a productive line of ewes is selected.

The purpose of this fact sheet is to suggest a breeding and lambing schedule and a flock management plan that incorporates successful management practices. Suggestions are also presented for a mating system and selection program to improve the productivity of the flock over time. Continue reading A Breeding Program for Fall Lambing →

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

2025 OSU Extension Small Farm Conference to be Held – at The Ohio State University Wooster Shisler Center Wooster, Ohio

Carri Jagger, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Morrow County

Ohio State Extension announced plans to host a Small Farm Conference in Wooster, OH on March 8, 2025. The theme for this year’s Small Farm Conference is “Sowing Seeds for Success.”

Conference session topics are geared to beginning and small farm owners as well as to farms looking to diversify their operation. There will be five different conference tracks including: Horticulture and Crop Production, Business Management, Livestock, Natural Resources and Diversifying Your Enterprise.

Some conference topic highlights include: Growing in a Hoophouse, Integrated Disease Management Strategies for Apple and Peaches, High Tunnel Tour, Using Cover Crops for Soil Regeneration, Creating Habitat for Beneficial Insects on the Farm, Growing Microgreens, Money to Grow: Grants 101, Growing Your Farm With Agritourism, Navigating Licenses/Certificates for your Small Farm Market, How Can Value – Added Help Your Farm, Vaccination Programs for a Small Farm, Grassfed Beef Tour. Continue reading 2025 OSU Extension Small Farm Conference to be Held – at The Ohio State University Wooster Shisler Center Wooster, Ohio →

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 →