Improving Parasite Management with Annual Crops

Richard Ehrhardt, Michigan State University Extension Specialist, Small Ruminants
(Previously published online with  MSU Extension, Sheep & Goat: November 10, 2025)

The health and productivity of sheep and goats in perennial pasture grazing systems are often limited by a combination of forage quality and gastrointestinal nematode (GIN) infection. This is particularly evident in lactating dams and their offspring, as these animals are at greater risk for GIN infection due to their lower immunity relative to non-lactating adults. Alternating the grazing episodes/bouts of these susceptible animals with either machine harvesting of the forage or by grazing with less susceptible animals or species (cattle, for example) are strategies to maintain forage quality while reducing infection risk. Another effective method is to integrate the use of annual forages into a grazing program. Annuals can provide grazing opportunities with zero to low risk for GIN infection while simultaneously providing a plane of nutrition even higher than perennial pastures, meeting the nutritional requirements of lactating dams and their offspring. Continue reading Improving Parasite Management with Annual Crops →

An Udder from Another Mother: Bottle Feeding Small Ruminants

Dr. Emily Nogay, DVM, Faculty, OSU Large Animal Services
(Previously published online with Ohio’s Country Journal and Ohio Ag Net: November 6, 2025)

Raising babies is no joke. Whether that be human or animal, it can be exhausting, scary, and overwhelming. To make matters even worse, those first few months of life are incredibly important for setting them up for success later in life. Small ruminants are no different, and finding the correct information on how to successfully raise them can be difficult. Don’t forget that there may be information out there, but that doesn’t make it good information. Always be sure to consult your veterinarian to further understand what works and what doesn’t for your situation.

In the first few days of life, kids and lambs should be given colostrum directly from the dam. This is the first milk from the dam, which appears more golden in color and thicker than regular milk. Colostrum carries important antibodies, micronutrients, and active enzymes from the dam and transfers them to the kid or lamb, who can absorb those antibodies within the first 24 hours of life. Ideally, babies receive their first dose of Continue reading An Udder from Another Mother: Bottle Feeding Small Ruminants →

Artificial Lamb Rearing

With lambing season for some producers quickly approaching, we thought that discussing the needs and options for artificially raising lambs warrants a few highlights early in the season. Although we hope that our season goes off without a hitch, its always best to be prepared. This week we dive into a few pieces of commentary that reviews how to best manage and care for newborns if their mothers aren’t up to par.

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 →

Common Diseases and Health Problems in Sheep and Goats

Lynn Pezzanite, Animal Sciences Student, Purdue University
Dr. Michael Neary, Extension Small Ruminant Specialist, Purdue University
Terry Hutchens, Extension Goat Specialist, University of Kentucky
Dr. Patty Scharko, Extension Veterinarian, University of Kentucky
(Previously published online with Purdue University Extension: AS-595-W)

(Image Source: Clover Acres Livestock Veterinary Services)

A sound management program to keep animals healthy is basic to production of both sheep and goats. Producers must observe animals closely to AS-595-W Animals should exhibit a healthy hair coat or fleece, keep individual animals and the whole herd or flock healthy and productive. If the heath status of a herd is compromised, that operation will not be as efficient as possible.

There are some human health risks when dealing with diseased animals. While most diseases affecting sheep and goats do not pose any human health risks, some are zoonotic and it is important to protect not only caretakers, but anyone else that may come in contact with diseased animals.

Sheep and goats share many health problems. While there are some important differences between the species, this publication gives a

Continue reading…

Don’t Graze Too Short!

Victor Shelton, Retired NRCS State Agronomist/Grazing Specialist

Quite often, pastures are grazed down tighter than they should be and earlier than they should have been in the fall.  This weakens forage plants, slows growth in spring, and opens the stand for opportunistic weeds.  It’s usually done with good intentions: “I don’t want to feed any hay until I have to.” Or “I want to use every bit of grass before feeding hay.” Or even, “I’m just trying to maximize my grazing days.” Those are understandable goals, but they can cost much more in the long run than a few extra days of hay feeding.

Grazing forages too short in fall forces plants to use stored energy to regrow leaves, weakening them for winter and slowing spring recovery (paraphrased from François Guénon, “A Treatise on Milch Cows”: “The cow, like the pasture, is nature’s instrument: overuse it early, and it will deplete what sustains it”).

It’s best to wait until forages have Continue reading Don’t Graze Too Short! →

Fescue Toxicosis in Sheep

Danica Davis, Forage and Grazing Summer Student, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
Christine O’Reilly, Forage and Grazing Specialist, Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness
(Previously published online with the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness: April 16, 2025)

Although summer has come and gone and it feels that winter is on our doorstep, livestock producers throughout the state and region are still feeling the impacts of another dry summer grazing season. In some cases, fall and winter lambing systems are now seeing the result of long term fescue grazing during the critical phases of gestation. I realize that we are behind the curve on this topic, but wanted to share this important piece from the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Agribusiness to help us better understand how challenges associated with grazing tall fescue could be mitigated in 2026.

Learn about fescue toxicosis symptoms, testing and prevention in grazing sheep.

Introduction
Fescue toxicosis is a condition occasionally found in grazing sheep. Grazing animals can get sick from eating tall fescue grass that is infected with a harmful fungus. Toxins from the Continue reading Fescue Toxicosis in Sheep →