Introduction
Dr. Andrew Weaver, North Carolina University Extension, will cover the basics of nutritional supply and demand; examples will be provided to walk through the process of determining the nutritional demands of the flock and potential corrective actions. Grazing practices will also be discussed to lower input costs while meeting animal nutritional needs.
About this video
In this Small Ruminant Webinar, Dr. Andrew Weaver discussed the critical role nutrition plays in allowing sheep and goats to express their genetic potential. The presentation emphasized that genetic selection alone does not drive performance—without appropriate nutrition, even well‑selected animals will fall short in growth, reproduction, and overall productivity.
Dr. Weaver explained how nutrient requirements change across different stages of production, including growth, gestation, and lactation, and how mismatches between animal needs and feed quality can limit performance. He highlighted the importance of understanding forage quality, energy density, protein availability, and mineral balance when feeding genetically improved flocks, particularly those selected for increased growth or reproductive traits.
The webinar concluded by encouraging producers to view genetics and nutrition as complementary tools rather than separate management decisions. By aligning feeding programs with genetic goals and production systems, producers can improve efficiency, reduce metabolic challenges, and better capture the economic returns of their genetic investments.
Key Points
- Genetics set the potential, but nutrition determines performance
- Improved genetics increase nutrient demand, especially during late gestation and lactation
- Forage quality often limits genetic expression before concentrate supplementation does
- Energy is typically the first limiting nutrient in high‑performing flocks
- Mineral balance and protein availability support reproductive and growth goals
- Feeding strategies should be aligned with genetic selection and production objectives
Published: March 19, 2026
