Technology

Application of Ultrasound Technology in the Reproductive Management of Small Ruminants

Richard Ehrhardt, Michigan State University Extension Specialist, Small Ruminants
Almudena Veiga-Lopez,Michigan State University Extension
Barbara Makela, Michigan State University Extension
(Previously published on MSU Extension, Sheep & Goat: November 4, 2025)

(Image Source: Barbara Makela, Michigan State University Extension)

Ultrasound offers an accurate way to manage small ruminant reproduction from the detection of pregnancy to more advanced determination of gestational age or litter size, allowing the producer to optimize resources and improve health of the flock/herd.

Ultrasound technology has been used in the reproductive management of sheep and goats since the 1960s. The advent of portable A- and B-mode units in the 1970s expanded application at the farm level. B-mode units allowed visualization of the fetal compartment on a small screen, allowing more accurate detection of pregnancy and fetal counting. In contrast, A-mode units have been available for many years as well but are limited by their ability to only detect large changes in sound wave transmission as occur in primarily fluid-filled compartments in the abdomen, such as the pregnant uterus. These units detect pregnancy by Continue reading Application of Ultrasound Technology in the Reproductive Management of Small Ruminants →

Precision Livestock Farming Technologies for Sheep Production

Jason Hartschuh, Dairy Management and Precision Livestock, Field Specialist

(Image Source: Shearwell NZ)

Ohio is home to about 145,000 sheep on 4,133 farms, according to the 2022 census of agriculture, making it the 11th largest sheep production state in the country. These sheep are raised in both extensive and intensive systems, but precision livestock technologies are having a worldwide impact on both production systems. Precision livestock farming (PLF) is the use of real-time monitoring technologies to manage the flock at the animal level. This includes using monitoring equipment, data, user interface software, and artificial intelligence to guide decision-making. While other species have more developed precision livestock technologies, many different technologies are under development.

The most widely utilized technology is Electronic Identification (EID) Tags. These tags can pair with Continue reading Precision Livestock Farming Technologies for Sheep Production →