Division of Extension
The small ruminant webinar series provides remote education for sheep producers across Wisconsin. The webinars are a new spin from the long-standing and widespread sheep ETN meetings that retired Dr. Dave Thomas, sheep specialist, hosted during his tenure at the University of Wisconsin.
Rosie Busch, DVM, UC Davis Cooperative Extension, will cover the common presentations for sick kids and lambs within the first few days of life and practical methods to increase the likelihood of a positive outcome.
This session explains how these pathogens spread, clinical signs, diagnostic strategies, necropsy and sample collection, and prevention practices producers can use to protect flock health.
UW-Madison Extension’s Sheep Operation Enterprise Budget Excel Spreadsheet can estimate the cost of production using your farm’s historical and current data. Utilizing records and an enterprise budget can assist in answering these questions and making informed decisions.
Dr. Robert Van Saun, Penn State University Extension Veterinarian, joins the UW-Madison Division of Extension’s 2023 Small Ruminant Webinar Series. Dr. Van Saun outlines and supports with research, the nutritional needs of ewes and does in late gestation to prevent pregnancy toxemia and to support the creation of high-quality colostrum in adequate amounts.
Gene Schriefer, former University of Wisconsin Division of Extension Agriculture Educator from Iowa County will discuss how to optimize the utilization of forages to meet the nutritional needs of sheep and goats by properly planning grazing systems with forage production, carrying capacity, and paddock size in mind.
Dr. Whit Stewart Assistant Professor and Extension Sheep Specialist from the University of Wyoming joins the UW-Madison Division of Extension’s 2022 Small Ruminant Webinar Series. Dr. Stewart outlines and supports with research, the mineral needs of sheep during the different stages of production and the various regions of the US. Stewart provides insight into how soils affect mineral levels in forages and how testing forages allows producers to balance rations to meet nutritional needs.
UW-Madison Arlington Research Station Sheep Unit Program Manager Todd Taylor discusses the most complex sheep on the farm, the ewe. As the ewe moves through the production cycle, her needs change. Learn about how to care for the ewe before breeding, during gestation, after lambing, and at weaning to ensure she is productive for years to come.
Gene Schriefer, UW-Madison Division of Extension, and Adam Abel, Natural Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) Soil Conservationist discuss planning for intentional grazing of sheep and goats.
Branding represents your message to your consumer about your product. What is it that your product stands for? Branding helps differentiate your product from everyone else’s. When we market our product, we’re selling the brand. This webinar will showcase three producers and different means by which they connect with the consumer to sell meat and fiber.
Consumer demand for lamb and goat from ethnic communities with a cultural bias for lamb and goat consumption is growing. Some demand is seasonal centered around holidays and other demand is more year round. Ethnic consumers are often looking for different type of lamb or goat than the traditional commodity product. Understanding different ethnicities and demand and meeting this market represents a potential profit opportunity for lamb and goat producers.
