ASI hosts three to four webinars a year where expert speakers share their insight on specific topics prevalent to the sheep industry.
Presenters:
Introduction: Dr. Jim Logan and Dr. Cindy Wolf, ASI Animal Health Committee Co-Chairs
First Came Scrapie: Dr. Linda Detwiler, USDA/APHIS
Then Came BSE: Paul Rodgers and Dr. Jim Logan
Scrapie in Real Life: Erik Mrozinski
Where We Are Today: Dr. Stephanie Ringler, USDA
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
Through partnerships and hard work, our sheep producers along with our state and federal governments and our animal health researchers (and some trial and error) created and implemented the National Scrapie Eradication Program, which in turn, has allowed us to nearly eradicate the disease from the US. This webinar is the second of a two-part series on Animal Health Management in the sheep industry. It is made possible with funding support from the American Sheep Industry Association and a Cooperative Agreement from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service.
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Presenters:
Introduction: Dr. Jim Logan, ASI Animal Health Committee Co-Chair
Making Animal Health Decisions: Dan Persons, Rafter P Ranch
Antibiotic Recordkeeping: Dr. Larry Goelz, Windy Ridge Veterinary Clinic
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
This is the first of a two-part series on animal health management in the sheep industry. In this webinar, ASI Animal Health Committee Co-Chair, Dr. Jim Logan welcomes Dan Persons (Rafter P Ranch, Minnesota) and Dr. Larry Goelz (Windy Ridge Veterinary Clinic) as they present on Making Animal Health Decisions and Antibiotic Recordkeeping.
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Click Here to download Dan Persons’ slides.
Click Here to download Dr. Larry Goelz’s slides.
Presenters:
Julie Finzel
University of California Cooperative Extension
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
This webinar was the second of a two-part series on using EID technology in the sheep industry. In this webinar, ASI Animal Health Committee Co-Chairs, Dr. Jim Logan and Dr. Cindy Wolf, hosted a presentation by Julie A. Finzel (Livestock and Natural Resources Advisor, University of California Cooperative Extension) followed by a producer panel discussion.
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Presenters:
Dan Persons & Brandon Manning
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
This webinar was the first of a two-part webinar series on using EID technology in the sheep industry. In this webinar, ASI Animal Health Committee Co-Chairs Dr. Jim Logan and Dr. Cindy Wolf hosted presentations by Dan Persons and Brandon Manning to provide an overview of the Electronic Identification technology that is available today and how it is adding benefit to the sheep industry.
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Click Here to download the webinar slides from Brandon Manning.
Presenter:
Dr. Andrew Weaver
North Carolina State University
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
Parasites continue to be a significant challenge for sheep production across the country. The failure of dewormers to adequately treat parasite infections has resulted in the need for alternative parasite management strategies. Unfortunately, there is no single cure. Rather, an integrated approach is needed where multiple strategies are implemented for effective parasite control. These strategies can include environment-based approaches as well as animal-based approaches. In this webinar, parasite biology and host-parasite interactions are highlighted to provide context for parasite management. Discussion follows on various parasite management strategies available and how they can be implemented in a sheep production system. A multifaceted approach to parasite management will be most successful in mitigating infection levels and improving sheep performance and well-being.
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Presenter:
Bridger Feuz
University of Wyoming
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
Keeping track of things is an important but tall task sometimes in the life of a sheep producer. This webinar discusses some of the essential records for making good management decisions. We also look at useful economic tools to help make good decisions focused on farm flocks.
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Presenter:
Woody Lane, Ph.D.
Lane Livestock Services
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
Let’s say you have a flock of 125 ewes in early lactation, all raising twins. You want to move them into a 3-acre field of improved fast-growing pasture. Question: How long can your flock graze in that field? Or a similar question: How many acres do you need to graze those sheep for 5 days? Or another question: How many inches of grass will a ewe eat each day to meet her nutrient requirements?
This webinar provides answers to these questions and more. We focus on “Managed Grazing” – the knowledge of how forages grow combined with the skills of moving sheep, estimating intake, balancing the needs of forages and sheep, and managing pastures by grazing sheep in sustainable and efficient ways. We describe how to decide when to open the gate, when to move sheep off the paddock, and practical tips about stocking density, electric fences, weed control, gate latches, the grazing wedge, and a new way of describing grazing systems. Basically, we describe how to manage improved pastures to capture sunlight efficiently and profitably.
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Presenters:
Tom Boyer, Ben Lehfeldt, Brad Boner and Rusty Burgett
Sheep Genetics USA Board Members
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
One of the production inputs sheep producers have control over are the genetics they choose for their flocks. Sheep Genetics USA is a proactive and collaborative initiative focused on improving genetic tools to enhance profitability. It is designed with action committees representing all industry stakeholders thereby unifying the industry in an effort to maximize demand for American Lamb. In this webinar, Sheep Genetics USA founding board members Brad Boner, Tom Boyer, Rusty Burgett, and Ben Lehfeldt present the founding framework, goals, and objectives of Sheep Genetics USA and answer numerous questions from a live audience.
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Presenter:
Jeannette Beranger
Senior Program Manager
The Livestock Conservancy
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
In this webinar we will explore the amazing diversity of heritage sheep breeds found in America and how many are making a remarkable comeback as interest grows in small scale shepherding and in natural fiber arts. We will learn about the decades long effort to bring rare sheep back from the brink of extinction and current efforts to develop new markets for their products. Join us in this discussion about the conservation work and then listen to experiences of several rare breed sheep farmers as they recount the journey they have undertaken with their amazing sheep breeds.
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Presenter:
Danelle Bickett-Weddle
Associate Director Center for Food Security and Public Health
Iowa State University, College of Veterinary Medicine
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
The most highly contagious disease of livestock is foot and mouth disease and it remains a threat in almost 100 countries in the world. Sheep are referred to as the “silent shedders” among livestock species susceptible to this devastating animal disease. Preparedness and response planning for FMD has taken center stage in recent years. Learn about this disease, how the United States plans to respond should it be diagnosed in North America, and ASI’s Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan for Continuity of Business resources available to protect the flock.
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Presenter:
James Robb, Senior Agricultural Economist
Katelyn McCullock, Director, Senior Economist
Livestock Marketing Information Center
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
This webinar provides an overview of the current U.S. lamb market situation, including the drivers of turbulence so far this year. A brief lamb price outlook discussion follows to provide a look at future expectations. Key factors to monitor are highlighted along with some management considerations. To wrap-up, there is a live moderated question and answer session with the presenters.
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Presenter:
Russell Burgett
Program Director
National Sheep Improvement Program
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
With the industry wide effort to improve production efficiency of the U.S. sheep flock, increasing lambing rate is integral to making improvements. As the industry identifies which ewes are capable of having and rearing multiple births, efficiently raising orphan lambs artificially can have a positive impact on the overall enterprise finances. This webinar will discuss methods to rear lambs artificially in an efficient manner through labor efficiencies, milk replacer selection, weaning strategies and equipment needs. With a well planned system going into lambing, the bonus lambs can go from a nuisance to a secondary profit center for the sheep operation.
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Presenter:
Dr. Ron Lewis
Department of Animal Science
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
NSIP Technical Advisor
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description: Does better genetics equal more profit?
In 2015 the Leading Edge Sheep Production Group conducted a trial in conjunction with Mickel Brothers Sheep Company in Spring City, Utah. Two groups of commercial white-faced ewes were bred to black-faced terminal sire rams drawn from either the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) or industry flocks. The NSIP rams were chosen based on their Estimated Breeding Values (EBV), a measure of their genetic merit, for growth (weight at weaning). The ewes were then managed as a single mob. At weaning, the offspring of the NSIP rams weighed on average 3 lb. more than those from industry rams; that difference coincided with an increased market value of $4.32 per lamb. Clearly, that result was promising and supported the notion that genetic selection works in practice and is profitable.
The Leading Edge Group was keen to do more. Building on this earlier study, a larger effort was undertaken. It had three aims. First, as before, black-faced terminal sire rams from industry and NSIP were compared. This time, however, two categories of NSIP rams were used: rams with high EBV for post-weaning weight, and rams with high EBV for post-weaning muscle depth. Second, the progeny of these three groups of rams were evaluated from birth all the way through harvest. Third, DNA technologies were incorporated into the study; they were used to assign sire parentage. Once again the Mickel Brothers Sheep Company kindly collaborated: they provided 1,100 commercial white-faced ewes for breeding to the 42 black-faced terminal sire rams tested.
In this Webinar, results of this project will be highlighted. The key question to be addressed is did the progeny of the NSIP rams perform as anticipated based on their sires’ EBV? Was that reflected in their weights at weaning and at harvest? Did it impact the quality of their carcasses? How did the progeny of the NSIP rams compare with the industry rams? As hint to the answers, genetic selection does indeed pay.
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Presenter:
Debbie Webster
Small Farm Entrepreneur & Educator
Seneca, South Carolina
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
Debbie Webster bought a few sheep and goats over 20 years ago for a yearly live Nativity. Today, she has the only licensed Sheep milk dairy in South Carolina. Her cheese business has grown tremendously each year. She has a meat handlers license and sells pastured lamb. She started the first 4H Dairy sheep club in the US, her Agri-Tourism program served over 1,000 families last summer, she has classes for small ruminant care, cheese making and uses her sheep for therapy for children with Special Needs. She’s passionate about helping people start farms. She founded the Whispering Pines Foundation, a Non-Profit, dedicated to getting children and youth outdoors and involved in dairy sheep and farming.
This Webinar gives basic information on setting up a homestead to raise milk and meat. There are multiple ideas and comparisons for fences, shelters and other equipment as well as ideas for growth. There’s insight on variations of care and equipment. A common sense approach to supplying your family with proteins on your own land. How to milk share, basic milking equipment for home use as well as steps to grow into a business. Ideas for set up with the whole family involved including the children or a plan for senior adults wanting some supplemental income without too much stress.
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Presenter:
Mike Neary, PhD, Extension Small Ruminant Specialist
Purdue University
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
Predators and footrot have probably caused more sheep producers to leave the business over the years than any other causes. Footrot is costly to deal with in terms of labor costs, health product costs, and reduced performance by animals in the flock. It can also be a humane and animal welfare issue in flocks with a high prevalence of footrot. Footrot is highly contagious and can be difficult to eradicate, yet is entirely preventable. Footrot is caused by the synergistic action of two anaerobic bacteria; Fusobacterium necrophorum and Bacteroides nodosus. The condition is aggravated when environmental conditions such as mud, moisture and warmth are present. This discussion will includes how sheep acquire footrot, how to prevent it, and how to control and eradicate it.
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Presenter:
Lisa Surber, Ph.D.
LM Livestock Services
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
This webinar covers a number of important topics to wool producers including: How the industry determines the quality of wool and what factors influence price; Wool contamination; Marketing wool from a commercial and specialty market perspective; Trends in wool end uses.
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Presenter:
Marlon Knights, PhD
Associate Professor, Reproductive Physiology
Division Animal and Nutritional Sciences
Davis College of Agriculture Natural Resource and Design
West Virginia University
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
In temperate regions, the seasonal nature of reproduction in sheep limits the frequency of lambing to once per year which in turn can result in significant variation in the price, quality and quantity of lamb in the market as well as the lifetime productivity of the ewe. Overcoming seasonality by getting a proportion of your ewes to breed “out-of-season” will not only increase the average number of lambs weaned per ewe per year but can positively impact marketing of lambs. Approaches to improve the fertility of ewes bred out-of-season will include selecting the right breeds and animals within breeds, photoperiod manipulation, melatonin treatment and the introduction of novel males (“male-effect”) in combination with or without progesterone (CIDR) pre-treatment. Other management practices that foster improved fertility in out-of-season bred ewes include weaning lambs and improving the nutritional status of ewes prior to breeding, isolating ewes from rams prior to the breeding season, and, the use of fertile rams with high sexual activity at a high ram to ewe ratio. Implementing practices to manage seasonal reproduction requires a small investment and some change in management practices. However, lambing rates that are equal to or greater than the current national average can be achieved from out-of-season breeding. Lambs derived from ewes bred out-of-season fetch higher prices and will provide consistency in the quality and quantity of lamb in the market place.
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Presenter:
Dr. J. Bret Taylor
Research Leader & Supervisory Scientist
USDA, Agricultural Research Service
Dubois, Idaho
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
The health of your flock is only as good as your vaccination program. Vaccination is the preventative tool to mitigate those pesky to catastrophic disease outbreaks that erode profitability. The appropriate vaccine is only one part of an effective vaccination program. Timing, repetition, devices, and labor force are other critical components. In this webinar, we will discuss the immune response, vaccine efficacy in neonatal lambs, customizing colostrum antibodies, vaccination schedules, and vaccination tools.
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Presenter:
Reid Redden, PhD
Sheep and Goat Specialist
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Time: 8:00 PM Eastern; 7:00 PM Central; 6:00 PM Mountain; 5:00 PM Pacific
Description:
In the US, most lambs are born during the first five months of the year. Yet, commercial lamb harvest remains somewhat constant throughout the year. As a result, there are periods when the supply of lamb is inconsistent. Inconsistent supply creates industry issues: market price volatility, supply of market ready lambs, and irregular supply of carcass size and/or quality. The primary goal of this presentation is to provide information on the current situation of seasonality of lamb supply so that members of the industry can make informed decisions. This will include: (a) factors that affect seasonal supply of US and imported lamb; (b) demand for lamb by season for both traditional and nontraditional markets; (c) factors that influence seasonal supply of lamb from the farm/ranch gate; (d) opportunities to alter the seasonal supply of US lamb; and, (e) case studies of producers who have shifted their season of production to meet a shortage of lamb.
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Presenter:
Cleon Kimberling, DVM
Professor Emeritus, Colorado State University
Geri Parsons, CVT
Optimal Livestock Services
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
Why test your rams for breeding soundness? A breeding soundness examination is an overall assessment of the ram’s potential ability to service and impregnate a given number of ewes during a given period of time. The webinar will cover what good breeding soundness means and the impact it can have on a producer’s bottom line results.
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Presenter:
Susan Schoenian
Sheep and Goat Specialist
University of Maryland Extension
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
The Sheep Roadmap Project identified productivity improvement as one of the American sheep industry’s priorities for survival and expansion. Percent lamb crop has always been the most important factor affecting profitability of a sheep enterprise, yet the national average is little more than one lamb per ewe exposed. It must be the goal of every sheep producer to maximize percent lamb crop, relative to his/her resource base. Deciding which ewe lambs to keep as replacements will have a major effect on achieving this goal. If ewe replacements aren’t genetically superior to the ewes they are replacing, genetic progress will be stalled. Equally important is deciding which ewes to cull from the flock. Underperforming ewes cost money, while adding little or no profit to the bottom line. Selection and culling decisions are guided by many factors and will affect the profitability of the flock for years to come. Sound, productive ewes are the foundation of a successful sheep farm. It’s the ewes that make money.
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Presenter:
Joan M. Burke, Ph.D.
Research Animal Scientist
USDA Agricultural Research Service
Dale Bumpers Small Farms Research Center, Booneville, Ark.
Host:
Dr. Jay Parsons, Department of Agricultural Economics
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Description:
Gastrointestinal parasite infection of sheep and goats is a major health issue that can cause anemia, reduced weight gains, poor performance, mortality and discouragement to farmers. Dewormer resistance limits the ability to control these parasites using available dewormers. Because of moderate heritability, opportunities exist to improve parasite resistance through genetic selection programs. This will be discussed along with scientific background, what to expect and limitations. Climate, rainfall, management, sex of animal, rear type and age will influence parasite infection. Genetic resistance to parasite infection is arguably the best means of gastrointestinal parasite control. It can be achieved through selection of sires with favorable estimated breeding values in programs such as the National Sheep Improvement Program, which will be reflected by lower parasite infection measures in offspring.
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Lamb Meat Quality
Presenter:
Dr. Travis Hoffman
Extension Sheep Specialist
Department of Animal Science
North Dakota State/University of Minnesota
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska
Description:
As consumers continually want to know more about where their food comes from, it is the responsibility of American sheep producers to meet production goals and capitalize on the American Lamb brand. Dr. Hoffman authored the Lamb Quality chapter of the 8th Edition Sheep Production Handbook and focused his Ph.D. research on the 2015 National Lamb Quality Audit. His passion for understanding the production decisions that impact lamb quality, and inevitably striving for production of the highest quality lamb and superior consumer satisfaction will be highlighted in the webinar.
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Presenter:
Dr. David L. Thomas
Professor of Sheep Management and Genetics
University of Wisconsin-Madison
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska
Description:
The U.S. is the leading importing of sheep milk cheeses in the world with over half of all world trade in sheep milk cheeses coming to the U.S. Some common imported 100% sheep milk cheeses are Manchego from Spain, Pecorino-Romano from Italy, and Roquefort from France. Therefore, it would seem that there is ample opportunity for the development of a dairy sheep industry in the U.S. for the production of domestic cheeses to compete with this large influx of imported sheep milk cheeses. However, nothing is ever as simple as it looks. This webinar will discuss the things that are necessary to produce sheep milk efficiently (e.g., breeds, selection, nutrition, management) and some of the major constraints to a successful dairy sheep industry (e.g., unstable sheep milk market, small size of the industry and producer isolation, lack of a national genetic improvement program). Some examples of producer successes in the industry will also be presented.
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Presenter:
Dr. Paul Kenyon
Head of Institute of Veterinary and Professor of Sheep Husbandry with the Department of Animal and Biomedical Sciences
Massey University in New Zealand
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Description:
A multiple year scientific program was undertaken to identify:
- optimal nutritional management prior to breeding and in pregnancy and lactation,
- optimal management of the ram to maximize reproductive results,
- management of the young dam in late pregnancy and in lactation to maximize the survival of the lamb(s),
- live weight and body condition score targets,
- management strategies to maximize the chance that lifetime productivity is increased by breeding her at a young age, and
- examine the productivity of offspring born to ewe lambs.
A management package with clear guidelines, which identifies how to manage these young dams effectively, has been compiled. Kenyon will discuss the package and will briefly outline the current state of the New Zealand sheep industry and where it is heading.
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Presenter:
Reid Redden, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Animal Science and Sheep and Goat Specialist
Texas A&M AgriLife Extension
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Description:
The American sheep industry produces about a 120 percent lamb crop annually. This level of production provides less than half of the American demand for lamb. Because the majority of revenue from sheep operations is based on the sale of lamb, an increase in the lamb crop should improve the profitability of individual sheep producers and the industry as a whole. However, improvements in a lamb crop is a challenging goal to accomplish and producers must implement numerous best management practices to attain higher lamb crops. To assist the industry in making improvements in the national lamb crop, a reproductive efficiency task force developed a factsheet that outlines 12 Best Management Practices to increase flock lamb crop. American sheep farmers and ranchers are all unique and require different types of management based on resources, environment, labor and other factors. However, most sheep operations in the United States should be able to implement at least a few of the 12 recommended best management practices and attain a higher lamb crop in the future.
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Presenter:
Dan Morrical, Ph.D.
Professor of Animal Science
Iowa State Univesity
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Description:
Minerals and Vitamins are not required in very large amounts but inadequate or imbalances of these nutrients can create quite a problem in our flocks. Excess copper is probably the primary toxicity we see in sheep flocks. Increased molybdenum and sulfur can both reduce copper absorption and is an example how minerals interact to impact our sheep. This program is aimed at helping producers understand the current problems that happen when sheep are not appropriately supplemented. Additionally, we will focus on reviewing mineral tags and understanding what it says and how it needs to be fed. The last portion of the presentation will focus on how to make modifications to existing diets to improve the production in our flocks. This webinar is being presented as a follow up to the excellent program given in 2015 by Dr. Robert Van Saun, Dietary Supplements: A Necessity or Folly. That webinar is still available on the Lets Grow webpage.
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Presenter:
Ron Lewis, Ph.D.
Department of Animal Science
University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska at Lincoln
Description:
The efficiency of lamb and wool production has increased substantially worldwide by applying traditional quantitative genetic principles in sheep breeding programs. Accelerating those gains depends on melding state-of-the-art technologies in animal genomics with quantitative genetics approaches to more accurately identify high merit animals. The aim of this webinar will be to demystify these technologies. This will entail a journey – a genomics road trip – beginning with the key terminology and principles of modern biology. Next on the journey will be reflection, considering ways genomics may enhance, yet certainly not replace, the fundamentals of successful sheep breeding programs. The inevitable bumps along the road will then be identified, which include the resource and financial challenges that using genomic tools entail. The sign of a successful journey is to plan the next one. Therefore, the webinar will conclude with an overview of a new project, funded by the Let’s Grow Program of the American Sheep Industry Association, which begins the melding of genomics into U.S. sheep breeding programs.
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Jugular Bleeding Technique for Sheep
Dr. Kelly Heath, Attending Veterinarian at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, demonstrates a jugular bleeding technique that will be used as part of a study funded by the American Sheep Industry Association’s Let’s Grow Program. The goal of the project is to collect blood samples for genomic testing to establish background information in sheep.
Presenters:
Woody Lane, Ph.D.
Livestock Nutritionist and Forage Consultant
Lane Livestock Services
Dave Ollila
Extension Sheep Field Specialist
South Dakota University in Rapid City, SD
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska
Description:
There is nothing else like them – producer groups. New Zealand, Australia, England, South America – shepherds in these areas regularly join and attend producer groups, often for many years. Why? Because producer groups work. Sheep producers and other farmers and ranchers meet on a regular basis, share knowledge and experience, gain up-to-date information from guest speakers and other resources, evaluate their own operations, try new techniques, improve productivity and gain immeasurable knowledge to help their operations expand and be profitable. How do these groups work and what are the results? This session will focus on the nuts and bolts of producer groups, discussing how groups are organized, what they do, how shepherds benefit from being members, how groups can be financed and the critical role of the facilitator.
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Presenter:
Robert Van Saun, Ph.D.
Extension Veterinarian and Professor of Veterinary Science
Penn State University
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska
Description:
This webinar will look more closely at forages in determining if they can meet essential nutrient requirements of sheep at different productive stages. Fiber content of a forage is a function of plant maturity and can potentially limit intake resulting in inadequate energy or protein intake. Forage mineral content is a complex interaction between plant, soil conditions and fertilization practices and that may result in inappropriate mineral content predisposing to disease conditions. The true wild card of forages is trace mineral status. Trace minerals are essential nutrients influencing productivity and immune response. Most forages are deficient in a number of critical trace minerals as well as having high concentrations of interfering minerals resulting in deficiency or toxicity conditions. The goal of the webinar is to provide participants with a better perspective on how their forage may limit or promote their feeding program and the potential role for dietary supplements.
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Presenter:
Dave Notter, Ph.D.
Professor Emeritus, Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences
Virginia Tech University
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska
Description:
To address strategies to use EBVs to achieve breeding goals and manage genetic change in your flock. Topics to be covered include:
- using direct and maternal EBVs to manage changes in body weights from birth through adulthood;
- optimizing litter size to maximize ewe productivity;
- using EBVs to optimize fleece value and the rate of improvement in fleece traits;
- using scanning information to enhance carcass value;
- using worm egg counts to enhance parasite resistance; and
- using EBVs to improve reproductive performance.
Selection indexes provides a convenient mechanism to combine EBVs for different traits into a single measure and are currently available for each of the main NSIP breed types. The presentation will discuss the value of indexes as tools for genetic improvement and consider how to address limitations of available indexes in specific production situations.
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Presenter:
Richard Ehrhardt, Ph.D.
Sheep and Goat Extension Specialist
Michigan State University
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska
Description:
The number of lambs produced per ewe per year is a fundamental productivity and profitability benchmark in sheep production regardless of the production system. Nutritional management has a huge impact on reproductive efficiency at many levels including the onset of puberty in ewe lambs, ovulation rate and out-of-season breeding success. This seminar will discuss feeding programs and better define nutritional targets to improve these reproductive outcomes. Consideration will also be given to practical and feasible ways of improving these outcomes in different production systems.
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Presenter:
Kay Johnson Smith
President and CEO
Animal Agriculture Alliance
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska
Description:
Undercover videos by activist groups targeting modern farming and ranching have increased in the past decade, and have been driving factors for many companies to set or change policies for their suppliers about farm animal care; some have even terminated contracts with farmers over concern for their brand. These campaigns have also driven a great deal of legislation, negatively impacting the farm community. Learn more about what you can do to protect your farm, your animals and your business, and how to proactively plan for a potential crisis.
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Presenter:
Richard Ehrhardt, Ph.D.
Small Ruminant Extension Specialist
Michigan State University
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska
Description:
Accelerated lamb production is a system of management that allows a ewe to give birth more than once per year and in doing so, creates a year round supply of market ready lambs. Creation of a steady, year round supply of lambs is key to building new lamb markets and strengthening existing ones. By increasing reproductive efficiency (number of lambs produced per ewe per year), accelerated production also has the potential to decrease the cost of lamb production. This seminar will cover the basics of accelerated production, indicate resources required for success, identify constraints to successful adoption and provide management strategies to overcome these constraints.
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Presenter:
Dan Morrical, PhD
Sheep Extension Specialist
Iowa State University
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, University of Nebraska & Optimal Ag
Description:
This webinar will focus on key nutrients that sheep need in their rations. I will cover protein, energy, minerals and vitamins, sampling feeds and software available to do the calculations. Some of it will include reading feed tags to know what is in the ration. I will also spend time explaining terminology like dry matter basis and as fed basis, parts per million and milligrams per kilogram. Feed costs are the single largest cost of production and understanding nutrient requirements and meeting them economical is critical to profitable sheep production.
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Presenter:
Dr. Woody Lane
Livestock Nutritionist & Forage Specialist
Lane Livestock Services
Roseburg, Oregon
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, Colorado State University & Optimal Ag Consulting
Description:
Sheep are magnificent animals that evolved to eat grass. A sheep’s rumen allows it to thrive on high-fiber forage and effectively convert sunlight and atmospheric nitrogen (nitrogen “fixed” into forage protein by legumes like clovers and alfalfa) into valuable human products like meat and wool and milk. But how can shepherds use sheep to harvest this forage in a profitable and sustainable way?
By grazing. But good grazing is not just opening the gate and putting sheep into a pasture. Good grazing requires knowledge and good technique. In this Webinar we will discuss how to do this. We will review how forages grow and how to use sheep to manage your forage in a sustainable and efficient way. We will cover the principles of Management Intensive Grazing (MIG). This is not just rotating sheep through small paddocks. MIG is a way of understanding forage growth, relating the amount of pasture to animal requirements, allocating feed, and using sheep to manage forage efficiently and effectively. By properly managing our forages, we can reduce our feed costs, improve pastures, reduce weeds, reduce our break-even price, and increase the chances of turning a profit.
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Presenter:
Dr. Reid Redden
Extension Sheep Specialist and NSIP Chairman
North Dakota State University
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, Colorado State University & Optimal Ag
Description:
The National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) is a nonprofit organization created to develop genetic predictors for production traits relevant to the US sheep and goat industries. This technology generates estimate breeding values (EBVs) based on performance data that is submitted by participating flocks. This program develops EBVs for: 1) Growth Traits: birth, weaning (60 d), postweaning (120 d), and yearling (365 d) weights; 2) Reproductive Traits: number of lambs born and weaned; 3) Carcass Traits: loin muscle and backfat depth; 4) Wool Traits: fleece weight, fiber diameter, and staple length; 5) Parasite Resistance: weaning fecal egg count. In addition, indexes are created that rank the most important traits for the respective breed. EBVs are calculated by making comparisons of lambs among their flock mates; therefore, lambs that outperform their flock mates get positive values for the particular trait and genetically related traits.
Additionally, sire and dam EBVs increase for production of a lamb that is above or below flock average (progeny test). To better serve the entire industry, NSIP needs more seedstock producers to enroll, use the program to its full capacity, and work with other NSIP breeders to develop genetic connections within the breed. Additionally, it requires that commercial producers request that their seedstock providers provide this data and purchase sheep with EBVs that are consistent with the needs of the flock. In summary, NSIP can help the industry make more informed and reliable breeding decisions and lead to more productive and profitable sheep and goat industries.
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Presenters:
Philip Berg, Pipestone Lamb and Wool Program Instructor
Mike Caskey, Pipestone Lamb and Wool Program Instructor
Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Pipestone
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, Colorado State University & Optimal Ag
Description:
Our discussion will identify keys to reducing labor at lambing. This will include labor saving watering, feeding and bedding systems ideas. Examples of warm lambing barn layouts and sheep flow will be presented.
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Presenter:
Nancy A Irlbeck, PhD
Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
College of Agricultural Sciences
Colorado State University
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, Colorado State University & Optimal Ag
Description:
Grazing sheep on green pastures amid the daisies in the sunshine. Immaculate, shining white fleeces of cloud-like personas sliding off the sheep’s backs into waiting bags.True or False? FALSE! Anyone raising sheep for wool – range or farm flock – are very aware that this is not reality. It takes a lot of work and management to acquire a prime fleece, and it sure does not slide off of the sheep’s back. Amazingly, potential fiber production actually begins in utero and continues through the animal’s life. What you feed the animal, when you feed the animal and how much you feed and don’t feed the animal has a large impact on fiber production of an individual animal. This seminar includes a brief primer on genetics, feeding management and husbandry systems to feed animals for wool – and a discussion of what is realistic and what is not.
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Presenters:
Dr. Will Getz, Professor of Animal Science, Extension Specialist
Dr. Thomas H. Terrill, Assistant Professor of Animal Science
Fort Valley State University
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, Colorado State University & Optimal Ag
Description:
We will discuss the current state of thinking on best management practices for control of internal parasites in sheep. This will include reducing dependence upon anthelmintic de-wormers through the use of diagnostic tools that allow targeted selective treatment of only the animals in the flock that actually need it, as well as use of alternative (non-chemical) control technologies in an integrated parasite management (IPM) system.
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Presenter: Dr. Scott Bowdridge, West Virginia University
Host: Dr. Jay Parsons, Colorado State University & Optimal Ag
Description:
Many producers have experienced loss in the form of reduced growth and often death as a result of parasitism within their flock. Development of multi-drug resistance in these worms, especially the southeastern US, has left many producers feeling helpless in the face of gastrointestinal nematode parasitism. As a result some have left the sheep business, others have switched to a dry-lot system for lambs and the rest have tried everything else to keep these lambs growing on pasture. The utilization of selective deworming has resulted in at least maintenance of dewormer efficacy, yet with limited drug choices this option remains one of our best tools. Through the incorporation of parasite-resistant breeds many have observed a less frequent need for treatment. However, concerns about the effect on growth and carcass quality, not to mention the effect on wool quality, have limited the use of parasite-resistant hair breeds of sheep. Parasite-resistant sheep have, however, provided much of our understanding of functional host protective immunity, as these sheep generate a very rapid and robust immune response to worms. It is curious why the same response is not seen when commercial-crossbred sheep become infected. Perhaps parasite management should be equally focused on the host as it is on the pathogen.
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Presenter: Dr. Jay Parsons
Colorado State University & Optimal Ag Consulting
With Special Guests:
Skye Krebs (Oregon), Eric Harlow (Oregon), Jennifer Tucker (Colorado), and Cody Halligan (Nebraska)
Description:
Mentoring is a partnership in two-way learning. Having a quality relationship with a good mentor can be the key to success for a new producer but it can also be a very rewarding experience for the mentor. In this presentation, I will discuss guidelines for forming, maintaining, and completing a good mentoring relationship. Sheep producers will join me as special guests to share their mentoring relationship experiences and to help entertain questions from the audience.
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Presenters: Dr. Rodney Kott and Dr. Lisa Surber
Montana State University
Description:
Proper feeding of ewes has a direct effect on production and represents one of the largest input costs of a producer. This program will focus on ewe nutrition during breeding and pregnancy. Topics covered will include feeding strategies for flushing ewes, feeding during early pregnancy and winter supplementation of range ewes. Differing feeding objectives for ewes in different body compositions will be covered. The webinar will end with a question/answer period regarding sheep nutritional issues around breeding and pregnancy.
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