Shepherds Can Manage for CVV
It seems that in our part of the country—west central Iowa, that is—Cache Valley Virus (CVV) has been most prevalent just in the last couple of years.
Features
Into the Darkness
“I’ve got a bus full av 50 sheep farmers from America an’ I’m drivin’ down a road so narrow dat de sheep go single file!”our Irish coach driver, Joe, barked into the cell phone in his thick brogue.
Ovine Progressive Pneumonia — A Personal Story
Looking back on it, it all seems pretty obvious now. Of course the problem in my flock was Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP). I have had sheep with just about all the symptoms, but it took me a few years to notice it and a few more to figure out how to deal with it.
Using Sheep CIDRs
Most people in the sheep industry are probably aware of the changing landscape of both this commodity and all of agriculture. Producers have more marketing options than ever before; currently, non-traditional markets make up 30% of sheep sales in the U.S.
To breed or not to breed: Breeding ewes and does for the first time
Should ewes and does be bred to produce their first offspring at approximately one year of age? Or should you wait until they are yearlings to breed them for the first time? The answer depends. There are many factors to consider and pros and cons to each breeding decision.
Breeding tools for better management
Marking harness and raddle tips for a better breeding season Put on the marking harness 2-3 days before the ram goes out with the ewes. This allows time for the rams to adapt to wearing the harness and allows for the shepherd to adjust the harness for a proper fit. Switch crayon colors throughout the […]
Requista Market
It’s no secret that the post-WWII relationship between France and the USA has been strained, especially in recent years. So when our group of 30 USA sheep producers embarked upon an Agri-Tour across France, we weren’t sure how warm our welcome would be.
Ireland’s Liquid Sunshine
In Ireland, they say its either raining or about to. Unfortunately, the traditional Irish weather pattern stayed true to course during Premier’s 2010 Sheep Tour to the Emerald Isle. Most of the 10-day trip consisted of long periods of clouds and drizzle, punctuated by moments of sunshine. The constant windy conditions allowed the weather to […]
Ferme Auberge
It was six days into our sheep tour through Southern France, and some of us were beginning to feel a bit road weary. France, while stunningly beautiful and charming, presented us with a mirage of logistical challenges such as curvy roads, “unique” French cuisine, overly long meal times, and of course, the language […]
Are parasites a limiting factor in your flock?
The parasites that infest sheep can be an enormous drag on sheep production. Year in and year out, they probably cause more death and disease in some producers’ lamb crops than any other single factor, including predators.