Michelle Wallace, Northwest Regional ANR Extension Educator, Central State University

Central State University (CSU) Extension will be hosting a free Sheep Shearing Field Day on March 27, 2021.

Designed for beginning farmers, CSU Extension is partnering with H.O.O.V.E.S in presenting a Sheep Shearing Field Day beginning at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 27, 2021 at the H.O.O.V.E.S facility, 4055 Wilkins Rd., Swanton, Ohio.

Participants at the field day will:

• Learn how to shear a sheep
• Learn how to protect the quality of the fleece while shearing
• Learn how to skirt the fleece
• Learn how to wash the fleece

Presenters will include Continue reading →

Jaelyn Quintana, Extension Field Specialist I – Sheep, South Dakota State University

The South Dakota State University (SDSU) Extension Small Ruminant Team is seeking input from sheep and goat producers across the U.S. to identify producer interests and enhance future Extension programming efforts. Responses collected from this voluntary survey will be complied into a Sheep and Goat Producers Needs Assessment.

“Across the nation many producers have adapted to the ever-changing dynamics of today’s world. As Extension professionals we have also experienced significant transformations in educational programming and find it is critical to remain in sync with our producers and colleagues across the United States,” says Kelly Froehlich, Assistant Professor and SDSU Extension Specialist in Small Ruminant Production. “This year provides a timely opportunity to gather producer preferences on production and management topics and program delivery as well as identify challenges to raising and marketing these animals and products, and finally to learn more about farm and ranch demographics.”

“We believe this nationwide response will add value by Continue reading →

Dr. Lyda Garcia, Assistant Professor – Meat Science, The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University Extension Meat Specialist offer two day workshops to tackle meat industry labor challenges.

When COVID-19 hit the US meat industry early 2020, many disruptions quickly surfaced – impacting our livestock and meat industries. As large-scale meat plants were in the process of slowing and even shutting down, local meat processors were looked upon to relieve the pressures brought forth by COVID-19. As many, if not all, local meat processors stepped up to fill these needs, significant stresses were quickly felt by the employees on the front lines. As many small scale, to very small scale meat processors were accustomed to a slower steady pace, the onset of doubling or tripling work load caused employees to reconsider their future. In the world of the meat industry, physical labor is Continue reading →

Brady Campbell, Program Coordinator, OSU Sheep Team

For the first time in its history, the 2020 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium was presented 100% virtually and might we add, went off without a hitch! Due to the unique format of the event, this years symposium was a one day event hosted on December 4th from 2:00 – 5:30 pm. According to our registration poll, we had well over 200 participants registered for the event – a record high for the Friday program in my time serving on the planning committee. Of our viewers in attendance, a vast majority were from the United States, but due to this unique webinar opportunity we were also able to connect with other shepherds in Canada and Argentina. Although it would have been nice to end this chaotic year visiting with our fellow shepherds in person over an Ohio lamb meal, we feel that this was an amazing alternative. For those that attended this years event, thank you! You will be receiving an email with the entire program recording, including the Q&A sessions in addition to the OSIA (Ohio Sheep Improvement Association) annual meeting. Please access and view the recording as soon as possible as it will only be available online in full for 120 days. For those that were unable to attend this years event, we have provided some program highlights below. Furthermore, presentation recordings from our guest speakers this year will be periodically shared throughout 2021 on the OSU Sheep Team webpage. Continue reading →

Brady Campbell, Program Coordinator, OSU Sheep Team

On behalf of The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, and Ohio Sheep and Wool Program we are pleased to announce the schedule for the 2020 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium virtual event! Although this year’s event will be condensed and we will miss gathering in person, its significance in networking and sharing knowledge to shepherds across the nation will not miss a beat. I hope you have your calendar ready as this years event will take place on Friday, December 4, 2020 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm via Zoom.

Those interested in attending this free event (yes, you read that correctly – no fee necessary) must register online by visiting  https://go.osu.edu/ohiosheep. Once you have clicked this link, you will be sent to a new web browser that contains the Zoom webinar registration form. Continue reading →

Brady Campbell, Program Coordinator, OSU Sheep Team

On behalf of The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, and Ohio Sheep and Wool Program we are pleased to announce the schedule for the 2020 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium virtual event! Although this year’s event will be condensed and we will miss gathering in person, its significance in networking and sharing knowledge to shepherds across the nation will not miss a beat. I hope you have your calendar ready as this years event will take place on Friday, December 4, 2020 from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm via Zoom.

Those interested in attending this free event (yes, you read that correctly – no fee necessary) must register online by visiting  https://go.osu.edu/ohiosheep. Once you have clicked this link, you will be sent to a new web browser that contains the Zoom webinar registration form. From here, all that is needed for attendance is Continue reading →

Brady Campbell, Program Coordinator, OSU Sheep Team

For the first time in nearly 60 years of it’s existence, the annual Farm Science Review (FSR) hosted by the College of Food, Agriculture, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES) at The Ohio State University will be held on-line and free to the public. This years event is scheduled for September 22 – 24, 2020. In order to gain access to this years programs, please follow the steps outlined in the video below to register for your on-line account.

Once registered, you may then begin creating your own account portfolio which allows you the opportunity to schedule your day. In doing so, you will be able to select from a wide variety of speakers, educational topics, equipment demonstrations, and much more!

Of the educational topics, several are in relation to small ruminant production. Below is a list of topics that may interest each of you. Continue reading →

Brady Campbell, Program Coordinator, OSU Sheep Team

Ohio Sheep Day, a favorite among many sheep producers across the state of Ohio, has been canceled for 2020. Originally scheduled for July 11th and then rescheduled for October 3rd, Ohio Sheep Day was set to provide producers with an updated insight of the work being conducted at the OARDC Sheep Unit in Wooster, Ohio. Among the topics, the introduction of the units newest EID system and grilling 101 highlighting everything lamb were sure to be big hits. However, due to the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic, the planning committee has chosen to cancel the event for this year. As a result, we plan to provide this information to you, our shepherds, at the 2021 Ohio Sheep Day set for July 10th at the same location with the same topics and much more! In the meantime, the OSU Sheep Team plans to provide research and farm video updates of what we have been up to at our research units. Until we are able to see you in person again, happy shepherding!

Brady Campbell, Program Coordinator, OSU Sheep Team
Garth Ruff, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Henry County

We’ve used the phrase here before – “if it’s not broke, don’t fix it.” In some instances, this phrase holds true in its purpose. However, for those interested in pushing the limits, go beyond the bounds of their comfort zone, and learn something new – we must change. Change can be a challenge, or it can be viewed as an opportunity. As our industries continue to be challenged with everything from the recent COVID-19 pandemic to parasites in the fields, we must learn to evolve and so too does The Ohio State University Extension Sheep Team. Since our relaunch just three short years ago, The OSU Sheep Team continues to provide you, our readers, with the latest tips, tricks, and scientific based information on small ruminant management. We strive to provide information on all aspects of our unique management systems by providing timely information in the form of articles, info-graphics, interactive videos, and personal interactions. However, we can’t stop here!

Next week on Monday, July 6th, subscribers to the OSU Sheep Team weekly email update will be receiving an individual email containing a link to participate in a short impact survey. Continue reading →