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Effective October 1, 2017, the USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) will no longer provide free plastic ear tags and applicators as part of the National Scrapie Eradication Program. APHIS will continue to provide metal tags free of charge to producers and others who handle sheep and goats. Contact your USDA Veterinary Services […]
Hoof care is an important aspect of sheep production and management. Hoof diseases can affect the health and welfare of sheep and have a negative effect on productivity. Hooves should be regularly checked for disease and excess growth. Animals which have excessive hoof growth, recurrent hoof problems and/or fail to respond to treatment should be […]
Miss out on attending Premier’s 2017 Sheep Field Day? Not a problem. You can now view photos and watch the presentations online. Topics presented included: Lamb quality: What is (and is not) an ideal market lamb, and why. What do lamb buyers (including restaurants, stores and consumers) like and dislike about US and imported lamb […]
When raising sheep and goats (and other livestock), the importance of high quality colostrum cannot be over-emphasized. Colostrum is so important that sometimes it is called “liquid gold.” All mammals produce colostrum. It is the thick, yellowish “first milk” that is produced by the female after she gives birth (parturition). Colostrum is rich in energy, […]
Rotational grazing can be simply explained as moving livestock between pastures (often called paddocks) every set number of days or as needed. The benefits of rotational grazing are many. But, how do you get started? In this issue we explore three practical paddock configurations. Premier’s electric netting is well-suited for rotational grazing—it’s quick to install, […]
Avoid “Continuous Current” Energizers for Electric Fence A fire burned grass, trees, and a UTV and was only 30 ft from a barn when the fire department arrived. It occurred because the property owner purchased both our netting and another firm’s “continuous current” energizer via Amazon’s website. In making the energizer purchase he relied upon […]
Vaccinations are an integral part of a flock health management program. They provide cheap insurance against diseases that commonly affect sheep and goats. Probably, the only universally recommended vaccine for sheep and goats is CDT. CDT toxoid provides three-way protection against enterotoxemia (overeating disease) caused byClostridium perfringins types C and D and tetanus (lockjaw) caused […]
Feed represents the single largest cost in all types of sheep production. A ewe’s nutritional needs are not static. What and how much to feed a ewe depends upon many factors, including the ewe’s age, weight, and body condition, along with her stage and level of production. Climate and exercise can also have an effect […]
Sheep do not require specific feedstuffs. They require energy, protein, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and water. Energy Energy makes up the largest portion of the diet and is usually the most limiting nutrient in sheep diets. Carbohydrates, fat, and excess protein in the diet all contribute towards fulfilling the energy requirements of sheep. Carbohydrates are the […]
Did you survive the winter snow and cold? Are you getting that “Spring Fever”? What about your pasture? Now is the time to start assessing the overall conditions to decide what management steps must be taken to have a productive pasture for the coming year. Looking at the overall pasture composition becomes an important step […]
