Building off a successful online launch in 2021, the Pastures for Profit program will be offered as a virtual course again this year during March and April 2022. Anyone interested in pasture management and forage production is welcome to join the course. One live webinar will be offered each week for three consecutive weeks along with “work at your own pace” videos and exercises that accompany each webinar. The Pastures for Profit program is a long-standing collaboration between Ohio State University Extension, Central State University, USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service, Ohio Federation of Soil and Water Conservation Districts, Ohio Department of Agriculture, and the Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council.

Each webinar will be offered live on Zoom at 7 P.M. and feature three presentations in a 90-minute span. Attendees will be able to interact with the speakers and ask questions in real time. Once registered, attendees will be granted access to Continue reading →

Presenters will discuss American lamb in retail, food service, and on consumers’ plates.

North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension and University of Minnesota (UMN) Extension will host an “American Lamb and our Consumer” webinar on Monday, Feb. 28 at 6:30 p.m. CST. Sheep producers, 4-H and FFA members, and lamb consumers are invited to attend.

“February is Lamb Lovers Month,” says Travis Hoffman, NDSU and UMN Extension sheep specialist. “It’s an exciting time for the U.S. lamb industry. Sheep prices have reached record highs while per capita consumption and demand for American lamb has grown over the past few years.”

Megan Wortman, executive director of the American Lamb Board (ALB), will share her expertise, insight and optimism for American lamb in retail, food service and on consumers’ plates. Wortman and Hoffman will share ways for lamb consumers to Continue reading →

(Image Source: Ohio Department of Natural Resources)

Researchers at The Ohio State University are inviting interested rural residents and producers to participate in an online survey on wildlife management. Specifically, this study seeks to gather opinions on coyote management in the state of Ohio, with a focus on describing how rural residents and producers feel about a variety of human-coyote conflict scenarios.

For those interested in supporting this research endeavor, please follow this link or the one provided above to access the survey. Your contribution to this research project is appreciated and will greatly benefit all small ruminant producers of Ohio!

Carri Jagger, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Morrow County

OSU Extension Mid-Ohio Small Farm Conference – Sowing Seeds for Success scheduled for March 12, 2022 at the Mansfield OSU Campus.

No need to feel alone in the field. Our new and small farm conferences provide connections that will last long after the event.

• Do you own a few acres that you want to be productive but you’re not sure what to do?
• Do you have a passion for farming and turning your piece of this wonderful earth into a food producing oasis?
• Do you own land or forest that you’re not quite sure how to manage?
• Do you raise or produce products that you would like to market and sell off your farm but you’re not sure how to make it successful?

Continue reading →

Dr. Brady Campbell, Assistant Professor, State Small Ruminant Extension Specialist

With much excitement of being able to gather in person, the 2021 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium held on December 3-4, 2021 in Wooster, Ohio at the OARDC Shisler Conference Center was a success. Thanks to the support of The Ohio State University departments of Extension and Animal Sciences as well as the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, shepherds in person and online were provided with a diverse program covering topics of reproduction and record keeping efficiencies. Per usual, this years event featured a Friday afternoon season, full Saturday program, and opportunity for the industries youth to gather and connect through the Young Shepherd’s Assembly program.

Starting with the Friday session, the program featured a panel of diverse sheep operations that well represented our unique industry. Speakers for this portion of the program featured Mike Stitzlein, Isabel Richards, and Leroy Kuhns. Unfortunately, due to unforeseen circumstances, local commercial Dorset producer Leroy Kuhns was unable to attend the event. In lieu of Leroy’s absence, a PowerPoint presentation highlighting his operation was featured and can be viewed here. Mike Stitzlein Continue reading →

Christine Gelley, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Noble County

2021 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium Flyer

To register directly for the event, please visit: go.osu.edu/ohiosheep

2021 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium QR registration code. Scan this code with your phone to register.

The Ohio State University and Ohio Sheep Improvement Association is pleased welcome all to the 2021 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium in Wooster, Ohio on Friday, December 3 and Saturday, December 4 at the OARDC Shisler Conference Center. This year’s symposium theme is genetics and reproduction and will feature a wide variety of speakers and gathering opportunities. In addition, this years program will have two options for attendance as all are welcomed to join either in person or virtually. To secure your spot at this years event, please following the links in the flyer provided above or by scanning the QR code to the right.

On Friday, December 3 from 2-5 p.m. attendees will enjoy an afternoon of discussion on genetic appraisal, reproductive strategies, and record keeping from all aspects of the sheep industry. On Saturday, December 4 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. there will be a collection of sessions including the annual OSIA business meeting, educational presentations, and an awards ceremony. Throughout the day attendees will Continue reading →

Dr. Brady Campbell, Assistant Professor, State Small Ruminant Extension Specialist

Sunflowers… Can they be used as a forage, or better yet, will sheep graze them? What about brassicas, such as turnips and radishes? If these were to be grazed, what is their feed value?  These question as well as many others were discussed at the 2021 Ohio Sheep Day held at the OARDC Small Ruminant Center in Wooster, Ohio.

Traditionally, Ohio Sheep Day is held in July, but with the uncertainty of summer programming, the 2021 Ohio Sheep Day planning committee elected to hold this years event in the fall. As noted by many in attendance, the cool, crisp weather was a nice addition to the slate of events.

Per usual, the day began with welcomes and introductions of those involved in preparing for the day. Attendees were welcomed to the university facility by many important leaders such as Dr. Anne Dorrance, Director of the Wooster Campus, and Gregg Fogle, manager of the Small Ruminant Center. At the conclusion of the opening remarks, it was off to the pastures to begin our field discussions. First on the list was Continue reading →

Jason Hartschuh, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Crawford County
Amanda Douridas, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Champaign County
Mary Griffith, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Madison County
Elizabeth Hawkins, OSU Extension – Field Specialist, Agronomic Systems

Farm Science Review is just a week away, held September 21^st – 23^rd with lots of excitement in store for farmers young and old. There will be a lot of new equipment and technology to view as you walk around the show grounds and of course milk shakes and delicious sandwiches from the OSU student organizations. OSU also has some exciting areas for you to stop by and learn more about agricultural practices being studied at OSU and view some of the latest technology in action.

Agronomy plots area
One major yield thief in both corn and soybeans is Continue reading →

Dr. Brady Campbell, Program Coordinator, OSU Sheep Team

After a long year away from you, The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences and Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA) are excited to announce that the 2021 Ohio Sheep Day will be held live, in person on Saturday, October 2nd at the OARDC Small Ruminant Center located at 5651 Fredericksburg Road, Wooster, OH 44691.

For those new to this program, this year is a bit different as we have chosen to provide this program in the fall as opposed to the summer. This unique opportunity will allow participants to see some alternative systems not previously highlighted in years past.

As we did in 2019, this year’s program will offer attendees the opportunity to visit one of Ohio State’s research stations that focuses on efficient ruminant livestock and forage production. This programs aim is to provide producers with the tools they need to continue increasing on-farm livestock and forage production.

A list of programming topics include: Continue reading →

Dr. Brady Campbell, Program Coordinator, OSU Sheep Team

In conjunction with Ohio Sheep Day, OSU Extension welcomes local, regional, and state livestock producers to join us on Friday evening, October 1, 2021 from 5 – 7 pm for the Livestock Mortality Composting Certification Course to be held at the OARDC Small Ruminant Center located at 5651 Fredericksburg Road, Wooster, OH 44691.

Composting is an economical and efficient method of disposal for livestock. Certification is needed in the State of Ohio to compost cattle, horses, poultry, sheep, goats, and swine. This two hour course will review how to appropriately construct, monitor, and manage your compost system. The course will be taught by OSU ANR Extension Educators Christine Gelley of Noble County and Tim Barnes of Marion County.

There is a $10 fee for class registration and admission which will cover light refreshments and the training manual that will be received upon the conclusion of the course. Registration for the event is requested and can be completed by either registering online using this link, viewing the event flyer, calling the Wayne County Extension office at (330) 264-8722, or emailing OSU ANR Extension Educator Haley Zynda at zynda.7@osu.edu. Registrations are due by Monday, September 27, 2021.

For those interested in further details about the event, please view the attached flyer.

We look forward to seeing you there!

CFAES Communications, The Ohio State University

The Ohio State University Department of Animal Sciences has hired Brady Campbell as an assistant professor to focus on small ruminant management.

Campbell begins his new position on September 15 in the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences (CFAES).

He will work with Ohio State Extension professionals to develop educational materials and programs for sheep and goat producers.

In addition, he will conduct applied research on small ruminant production and management and assist with youth livestock sheep and goat programs.

“Brady will Continue reading →

Carri Jagger, OSU Extension Educator ANR, Morrow County

OSUSheep 101 Field Day Flyer Morrow County Extension and Morrow County Farm Bureau welcomes local shepherds to the 2021 Sheep 101 Field Day. The event is slated for Saturday, August 14, 2021 from 9:00 am – 2:30 pm at Dale and Cathy Davis’s Farm located at 3149 County Road 169 Cardington, Ohio 43315. This FREE program is open to both beginning and experienced shepherds.

Topics of the days event include: labor saving time tricks, shearing, vaccination considerations, lambing simulator, USA Scrapie update, experienced producer panel Q&A session, and much more! The outlined sessions will be taught by OSU Extension Educators, Department of Animal Sciences faculty and staff, as well as industry professionals. Lunch will be provided at no charge, however, pre-registration is required. To reserve your spot at this years event, please do so by contacting the Morrow County Farm Bureau at (419) 747-7488 or through morrow.ofbf.org. The event is sponsored by the Morrow County Farm Bureau, Ohio Sheep and Wool Program (OSWP), Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA), and the American Sheep Industry (ASI).

For those interested in further details about the event, please view the attached flyer.

We look forward to seeing you there!