Sometimes the biggest pests are those you can’t even see. This is true for sheep and goat producers who tackle the challenges of internal parasites within their flocks and herds each year. These parasites cause anemia and decreased appetite leading to lowered performance and even death. The common parasites producers should be aware of are […]
Progressive Lamb Producer Relies on Nutrition to Help Achieve Goals
Any progressive sheep breeder knows the keys to success start with a sound reproductive program, and that reproductive health starts with the overall health and nutrition of your animals. Progressive club lamb producer Tyler Pickinpaugh started his flock on his family’s ranch near Torrington, Wyoming, but has since relocated Pickinpaugh Livestock to Lincoln, Nebraska, where he and his wife run about […]
A Guide to Bloat in Sheep
Bloat. It’s that uncomfortable feeling that you might experience at the first holiday potluck at your future in-laws. You’ve grazed your way through the day, munching on wonderful specialties from the wonderful cooks’ and bakers’. At the end of the day, you are miserable, full beyond belief, perhaps even bloated, but you didn’t die. However, when sheep experience bloat and it isn’t treated, it […]
How to Combat Heat Stress in Sheep and Goats
June 2021 went on record as the hottest June recorded since data has been tracked. According to the experts, the rest of the summer isn’t looking to cool off much either. Excessive heat across the country means that your sheep flocks and goat herds are likely to experience some extra heat stress, especially when those […]
3 Preventative Measures Against Cache Valley Virus
When we think mosquitos, we typically think of the foul odor of insect repellant and trying to keep those pesky creatures from landing on and biting our skin, causing itching and welts. However, if you are a sheep or goat producer who breeds ewes and does in the summer, your concerns for mosquitoes are likely to increase as you might […]
Ram Health, Proper Semen Handling Leads to Increased Conception Rates
When it comes to getting your flock bred, having reproductively sound ewes is just 50% of the equation. It is also imperative to have rams that are structurally and reproductively sound, and as an increased number of producers are moving to advanced technologies like A.I. and embryo transfer, knowing how to properly handle semen is […]
How to Control Insects in your Sheep, Goats
If you own livestock, you’ve got insects. And, if you’ve got sheep or goats, you’ve not only got flies, but ticks and other bugs that can lead to economic losses and physical harm and discomfort to your animals. Summer heat and rains create ideal breeding conditions for many of these pests, but with some planning […]
Preparing for Summertime Breeding
We typically think of springtime as a time of birth and growth. Gardens are planted, flowers bloom and newborn lambs and kids are jumping around on the farm. However, with changes in technology and the evolving demand for lambs and goats at various times of the year, more and more producers have started breeding in […]
Tips for Grazing Sheep & Goats
Sheep and goats are natural grazers. In most areas grass and other forages are abundant, yet need managed, which is best done naturally through proper grazing. Land stewardship is really an example of “care that comes full circle,” as humans and animals take care of the land, while it provides feed and nutrients to the […]
Lessons Learned in a Livestock Lab
The world should be considered a classroom where daily learning takes place, as long as you seize the opportunities given to you. If you’re fortunate enough to study Animal Science at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, your labs might even extend into one of the farm units, where hands-on learning takes place for students. The […]
