Articles

  • Reset Topic Filter

Planning Ahead for Newborn Calf Processing

During the dark and cold of winter, it can be uplifting to think about the new season just around the corner. Spring represents new growth and renewal. The same is true of calving season for our beef operations. While in practice our beef calving seasons vary greatly in timing from farm to farm, it’s always […]

A New Cheese on the Block

It may be common knowledge Wisconsin leads the United States in cheese production, but did you know that Wisconsin is the leader in sheep milk and cheese production? Sheep cheese is not a new culinary concoction, rather a 4000-year-old tradition staking a claim amongst Wisconsin’s dairy producers, cheesemakers, and cheese lovers. Wisconsin’s sheep milk is […]

Parasite Management for Small Ruminants in Grazing Systems

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.

Avian Influenza Concerns: Don’t Let Your Biosecurity Guard Down

There have been several confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in eastern Canada and in a number of U.S. states. Several wild ducks and one commercial turkey flock have tested positive for the virus in the United States. Outbreaks in Canada have affected both commercial and exhibition poultry flocks.  Wild birds infected with […]

Strategic and Cost Effective Mineral Nutrition for Sheep

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.

A New Year, A New Ewe Perspective

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.

Selecting your Replacement Heifers to Meet Long-term Herd Goals

As the seasons come and go, the production cycle of the beef herd also changes. Cows calve, calves grow, and replacement heifers are selected. Selecting replacement heifers using production records, herd goals, and available resources can ensure the correct females are staying in the production system.

Look at all costs, not just daily feed cost, when evaluating feedlot rations

Evaluating different rations and scenarios as prices and situations change to optimize profits using the resources the farm has available is time well spent. When doing so, it is critical to look at all costs impacted by any ration changes, not just ration cost per ton or feed cost per day, to assess costs and returns accurately.