Sheep & Wool Skillathon
There will be a Youth Sheep & Wool Skillathon on Sunday, May
3, 2009, 9 a.m. to 12 noon, at the Maryland
Sheep & Wool Festival at the Howard County Fairgrounds in
West Friendship, Maryland.
Any youth between the ages of 8 and 18 is eligible to compete as
an individual and member of a team. Youth compete according to their
4-H ages: juniors, 8-10; intermediates, 11-13; and seniors, 14 to
18. Teams consist of 3 to 4 youth in the same age category from
the same club, FFA chapter, or county.
A skillathon provides youth with the opportunity to blend knowledge
and skills acquired from livestock projects, livestock judging,
workshops, and exhibition into a single activity.
A skillathon consists of a series of stations where youth are tested
on their knowledge of livestock. In the Sheep & Wool Skillathon,
all stations will pertain to sheep and wool.
Pre-registration is requested by April 27. Teams must be
pre-registered in order to compete. Names and 4-H ages of youth
should be sent to Susan Schoenian at the Western Maryland Research
& Education Center, 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville, MD
21756, tel. (301) 432-2767 x343, fax (301) 432-4089, or sschoen@umd.edu.
Information about the skillathon and skillathon study aids can
be found at www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/skillathon/skillathon.html.
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Table of Contents
Performance of Meat Goats Grazing Tall Fescue
Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea) is the most popular grass
fed to livestock. It is a very hardy cool season grass that persists
when and where other forages perish. However, most tall fescue pastures
are infected with an endophyte that can affect animal performance
and well-being. The effects of fescue toxicosis are well-documented
in cattle and horses, but less so in goats and sheep.
|
|
|
Meat goats grazing MaxQ™ tall fescue
in Western Maryland
|
A 3-year study was undertaken at North Carolina State University
to evaluate the performance of nursing does and their suckling kids
on three tall fescue cultivars: Kentucky 31 infected (K31), Jessup
non-infected, and MaxQ™ novel endophyte fescue.
Kentucky 31 (K31) is the main tall fescue variety. It contains
the endophyte. Jessup is a non-infected strain of fescue, but stands
of Jessup do not persist as well as K31. MaxQ™ contains a "novel"
non-toxic endophyte. The persistence of MaxQ™ tall fescue is
thought to be similar to K31. The seed is more expensive.
The experimental area consisted of 9 (approximately) half-acre
grazing plots: 3 plots for each cultivar. The goats were 7/8 to
full blood Boer.
|
Experiment
details
|
| |
Year 1
|
Year 2
|
Year 3
|
|
Grazing dates
|
4/16 - 5/26
|
3/29 - 5/25
|
4/4 - 5/25
|
|
Pasture crude protein percentage
|
21
|
20
|
21
|
|
Pasture NDF (fiber) percentage
|
56
|
56
|
56
|
|
No. of kids grazed
|
70
|
63
|
72
|
|
Avg. age of kids, days
|
56
|
18
|
24
|
|
Avg. wt. of kids, lbs.
|
27.5
|
16.3
|
18.7
|
|
No. of does grazed
|
45
|
36
|
36
|
Results indicated that suckling kids performed well on fescue pastures,
though kids grazing K31 gained less weight than those grazing the
other cultivars. Suckling kids gained more weight on MaxQ™
and Jessup than K31 in years 1 and 3. Gains were similar in year
2.
Nursing does gained more weight on MaxQ™ and Jessup than on
K31 in year 1 and lost less weight on MaxQ™ and Jessup than
K31 in years 2 and 3. Does grazing K31 were unable to maintain their
body weight and had a dramatic decrease in serum prolactin levels
which could have important reproductive implications (decreased
milk production and reproductive performance).
Source: Abstracts. American Society of Animal Science. Southern
Section. 2009.
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Table of Contents
How Good Are Your Goats?
The Western Maryland Pasture
Based Meat Goat Performance Test was initiated at the University
of Maryland's Western
Maryland Research & Education Center (WMREC) in 2006. The
purpose of the test is to evaluate the performance of meat goats
consuming an all-pasture diet, with natural exposure to internal
parasites (worms).
This year's test will be conducted from June 6 until October 3.
The nomination period is April 1-May 15. Male goats of any breed
or breed cross, with or without registration papers (or eligibility),
are eligible. A breeder may nominate up to 5 goats, preferably from
the same sire. The test is open to goat breeders in any state.
The goats must be born between December 15, 2008, and March 20,
2009 (inclusive), and weigh between 35 and 70 lbs. at the time of
delivery to the test site on June 6. The fee for testing a goat
is $85. $20 is due at the time of nomination.
While on test the goats will be evaluated for growth performance
(average daily gain), parasite resistance (fecal egg counts), parasite
resilience (FAMACHA© eye anemia scores and number of anthelmintic
treatments), carcass traits, reproductive soundness, and structural
correctness.
A field day and sale will be held at Saturday, October 3 at the
nearby Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro,
Maryland. Bucks meeting minimum standards for growth, parasite resistance,
and resilience will be eligible to sell at auction. Consigners to
the test may also nominate does to the sale.
A nomination form and other pertinent documents may be downloaded
from the test's web site at http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com.
For information about the test and/or to request a nomination packet,
contact Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 ext. 343 or sschoen@umd.edu
or Pam Thomas at ext. 315 or pthomas@umd.edu.
Last year, 84 Kiko, Boer, and crossbred buck kids were nominated
for the test. 62 were accepted. 57 finished the test. Ten met the
minimum standards for growth, parasite resistance and resilience.
The test is most suitable for commercial meat goat producers who
raise their kids mostly on pasture or browse, with little or no
grain supplementation. It is recommended that the goats be adapted
to a pasture diet before starting the test.
http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com
West Virginia Small Ruminant Test
Nominations for the 2009 West Virginia Small Ruminant (sheep and
goat) Performance Test are due April 1. Rams and bucks must be delivered
to the WVU Reymann Memorial Farm (near Wardensville) between 8:30
a.m. and 2 p.m. on Monday, April 20.
The test will conclude on July 1, and there will be a sale on July
25.
To be eligible, rams and bucks must be born between January 1,
2009, and February 20, 2009, inclusive. A maximum of 60 rams and
30 bucks will be accepted.
The West Virginia test is the only small ruminant performance test
that utilizes residual feed intake data as a measure of feed efficiency.
Residual feed intake is actual minus (-) expected feed intake (based
on size and growth potential).
For more information, contact Brad Smith at Brad.Smith@mail.wvu.edu
or 304/257-4688 or Sara Hare at Sara.Hare@mail.wvu.edu
or 304/874-3561.
Download 2009 guidelines from http://www.caf.wvu.edu/avs/sheep/PDF/2009RamTest/2009Guidelines.pdf.
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Table of Contents
2009 Maryland-Delaware Shearing Schools
The 2009 Maryland-Delaware Beginning Sheep Shearing School will
be held Friday and Saturday, March 27 and 28, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30
p.m. A school for advanced shearers (those who have attended previous
schools and sheared at least 150 sheep) will be held Saturday, April
4, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Both schools will be held at Ridgely Thompson's
farm at 1942 Uniontown Road, Westminster, MD 21157.
For the beginning school, the registration fee is $80 per person
and includes a copy of ASI's Sheep Shearing Notebook and instructional
DVD. The registration deadline is March 17. Participation is limited
to the first 25.
The registration fee for advanced school is $25 per person. The
registration deadline is March 27. Participation is limited to the
first 10.
The schools are sponsored by University of Maryland and Delaware
Cooperative Extension, the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association,
and the Delaware Sheep and Wool Producers Association.
The New Zealand method of shearing will be taught. Instructors
are David Greene, Dr. Richard Barczewski, and Aaron Geiman. Blade
shearing will not be taught.
For more information, contact David Greene at (410) 329-6241 or
by email at greelamb@gmail.com.
You can download a flyer for the beginning school at
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/SSbeginning09.pdf. A flyer
for the advanced school can be downloaded from http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/SSadvanced09.pdf
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Table of Contents
Implement
Positive Steps to Lessen Spontaneous Abortions
The challenge: Toxoplasmosis is the No. 1 cause of spontaneous
abortions, and there are no vaccines to help prevent Toxoplasmosis.
A helpful solution: Implement preventive measures to help prevent
and control this abortion challenge.
"Toxoplasmosis (caused by the protozoan parasite Toxoplasma
gondii) can be prevented since it is spread by kitten poop,"
stated Dr. Marie Bulgin, Caine Veterinary Teaching Center, University
of Idaho.
Since one of the favorite bathroom facilities for half-grown barn
kittens is the grain bin or feed trough, it is not difficult to
imagine how the bacteria are passed to ewes/does."
Research shows that at least one-third of all cats in the United
States carry Toxoplasmosis oocysts, and about 1 percent of cats
in the population are found to be shedding oocysts at any given
time. Cats, especially kittens under six months of age, pass the
oocysts in their feces when they eat infected rodents, raw meat,
or placentas of Toxoplasmosis-infected animals.
Although adult cats tend to be immune to Toxoplasmosis and free
of the bacteria, kittens under the age of six months pass the oocysts
in their feces when they eat infected rodents, raw meat or placentas
of toxomplasmosis-infected animals. That said, adult cats can come
into play with the spread of Toxoplasmosis oocysts when they bring
back infected birds, rabbits and small rodents to their kittens.
Oocyst Shedding
Although oocysts are shed for only about one or two weeks in the life
of the cat, research shows that the enormous numbers shed assure widespread
contamination of the environment. Under experimental conditions, researchers
have found that infected cats can shed oocysts after reinoculation
with tissue cysts. It is not known whether repeated shedding of oocysts
occurs in nature, but researchers point out that this would greatly
facilitate oocyst spread.
Sporulated oocysts survive for long periods under most ordinary
environmental conditions-- surviving in moist soil, for example,
for months and even years. Oocysts in soil do not always remain
in the soil as invertebrates such as flies, cockroaches, dung beetles
and earthworms can mechanically spread these oocysts and even carry
them onto food. Congenital infection can occur in cats, and congenitally
infected kittens can excrete oocysts, providing another source of
oocysts for contamination.
Infection rates in cats reflect the rate of infection in local
avian and rodent populations because cats are thought to become
infected by eating these animals. The more oocysts there are in
the environment, the more likely it is that prey animals will become
infected, and this results in increased infection rates in cats.
The parasite enters the body through the small intestine and nearby
lymph nodes, then spreads throughout the sheep or goat's system
via the bloodstream. Toxoplasma gondii can be encysted for years
in the sheep/goat's brain, muscles, liver or other vital organs.
Some resistance to future infection (immunity) is usually acquired
by previously infected ewes/does.
Toxoplasmosis-caused abortions usually-but not always-occur during
the first half of gestation. Once the pregnant ewe/doe has been
infected, it takes about two weeks for the parasite to infiltrate
the placenta and kill the fetuses. Blood tests can be performed
on ewes/does immediately after they have aborted. But, a ewe or
doe can test positive for Toxoplasmosis for years after becoming
infected.
Ed Lehigh of Colorado Serum Company notes that it is easier to
prove that the cause was not this protozoan by obtaining a negative
serological (blood) reading. "It is reasonable to conclude
that any doe testing positive for Toxoplasmosis as long as six months
after she has aborted is still highly infected with the disease
and therefore is a threat to the other animals in the herd,"
he states. Although aborted placentas can be tested, getting accurate
results can be difficult.
Lehigh points out that the longer a ewe or doe was infected before
she aborted, the easier it is to determine if Toxoplasmosis was
the cause. He also maintains that, because most producers have no
idea when the actual infection took place, placental testing is
less helpful than blood testing.
A fetal blood test is available and works best during the last
half of the pregnancy. If the fetus is infected when quite young,
antibodies may not appear in the blood, but it could still be harboring
Toxoplasmosis.
Prevention
To help prevent Toxoplasmosis, Dr. Bulgin suggests keeping kittens
out of the barn and feeders during the late pregnancy period of ewes.
She also recommends feeding Rumensin of monensin during the last six
weeks of pregnancy as this will prevent the toxo cysts from hatching
and infecting the tissues, including the fetus and placenta of the
ewe.
Other steps that can be taken to help reduce the spread of Toxoplasmosis
include keeping feed, grain and hay away from cat feces; neutering/spaying
all adult cats; and immediately getting rid of cat feces since the
disease-causing organism "comes alive" after a 24-hour
period.
Another preventive measure is carefully placing containers of rat
bait to keep the rodent populations
as low as possible. Relying on cats to keep the rodent population
down is a Catch-22 as such action could compound the potential of
introducing Toxoplasmosis to your sheep, goats and cats.
Source: Special issue of the Sheep & Goat Health Report,
a National Institute for Animal Agriculture Publication
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Table of Contents
Research
. . .
Garlic Fails to Control Worms in Goats and Sheep
There is some speculation that garlic may stimulate the immune
system of an animal and that long-term exposure to garlic may lead
to a lower susceptibility to gastro-intestinal nematodes (worms).
However, garlic failed to control internal parasites in goats and
sheep in separate studies in Arkansas and Delaware.
In Arkansas, 14 Spanish and Spanish x Boer doe kids were administered
water (control group) or a commercially-available, certified-organic
garlic product, garlic juice. The does were maintained in outside
pens and fed bermudagrass hay and a corn/soybean supplement.
Fecal and blood samples were collected 0, 7, and 14 days after
treatment. There were no significant differences in fecal egg counts
(FEC) or packed cell volume (PCV) between the treatment groups.
In another experiment, 29 Spanish doe kids were administered water,
garlic juice, or fed garlic bulbs. These goats were maintained on
bermudagrass pasture. Fecal and blood samples were collected 0,
7, and 14 days after treatment There were no significant differences
in fecal egg counts (FEC) or packed cell volume (PCV) between the
treatment groups.
Source: Veterinary
Parasitology. February 2009.
* * * * * * * * * *
Two experiments were conducted at Delaware State University to
evaluate the efficacy of garlic in reducing fecal egg counts in
sheep and goats.
In the first experiment, 18 Katahdin ewe lambs were placed in individual
pens and administered either 3 ml of garlic juice or water for 21
days. Weekly fecal samples were collected. There was no effect of
treatment with garlic juice.
In the second experiment, 23 crossbred Boer kids were placed into
treatment groups based on their FAMACHA© scores. 12 goats received
a single treatment of 0.16 ounces of garlic juice; 11 did not. Fecal
egg counts were higher in the garlic-treated goats than the untreated
groups.
Delaware State University will continue to conduct studies to evaluate
the efficacy of potential natural plant dewormers, including garlic.
Sources: Abstracts, American Society of Animal Science Southern
Section. February 2009.
Probiotics Fail to Improve Performance
A probiotic is a nutritional supplement that contains live, active
bacteria that are purported to improve immune and gastrointestinal
function
At the University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES), 63 crossbred
Boer goats were used in five separate experiments to determine the
effects of a commercial probiotic supplement on growth performance,
diet digestibility, carcass traits, and fecal bacterial populations.
The goats were fed a commercial pelleted concentrate diet with
or without supplemental commercial probiotic. Though goats fed the
probiotics grew better in two of the experiments, there was no difference
in performance in the other three experiments.
Probiotic-supplemented diets had no effect on diet digestibility,
carcass traits, or fecal microbial populations. Probiotics failed
to elicit any consistent benefits when included in the diets of
healthy, growing meat goats.
Source: Journal of Animal Science,
February 2009.
Testing for Anthelmintic (Dewormer) Resistance on Delmarva Farms
In 2008, Delaware State University assessed anthelmintic resistance
on nine goat and sheep farms in the Delmarva region. A fecal egg
count reduction test was conducted on each farm to determine the
effectiveness of individual anthelmintics: Albendazole, ALB; Ivermectin,
IVM; Moxidectin, MOX; and Levamisole, LEV.
Prior anthelmintic use was used to determine which anthelmintic(s)
to test on a farm. Resistance is defined as a failure of the anthelmintic
treatment to reduce fecal egg count by 90 percent or more. The data
are presented in the table below.
|
Farm
|
State
|
Species
|
ALB
|
IVM
|
MOX
|
LEV
|
|
A
|
Delaware
|
Goat
|
96.3
|
-
|
100
|
-
|
|
B
|
Delaware
|
Goat
|
-
|
-31*
|
-
|
-
|
|
C
|
Virginia
|
Sheep
|
70*
|
-
|
1.5*
|
99
|
|
D
|
Virginia
|
Sheep
|
79*
|
33*
|
74*
|
100
|
|
E
|
Maryland
|
Goat
|
-
|
-
|
81*
|
-
|
|
F
|
Maryand
|
Goat
|
69*
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
G
|
Maryland
|
Sheep
|
98
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
H
|
Maryland
|
Sheep
|
-
|
-
|
100
|
-
|
|
I
|
Maryland
|
Sheep
|
-
|
86*
|
33*
|
93*
|
|
*worms have developed resistance
|
The data show that anthelmintic resistance is prevalent on Delmarva
goat and sheep farms and that resistance varies by farm. More farms
will be tested in 2009.
Source: Abstracts, American Society of Animal Science Southern
Section. February 2009.
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Table of Contents
Just for Youth . . .
Skillathon Team Places 7th at National Contest
|
|
|
(L-R) Brittany Bowman, Logan Charles, Molly
Hancock, Rachel Manning, and Sheryl Bennett.
|
| |
Congratulations to the Maryland 4-H Livestock Skillathon Team which
placed 7th in the National 4-H Livestock Skillathon Contest held
at the North American Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky.
Team members included Brittany Bowman (Howard County), Logan Charles
(Charles County), Molly Hancock (Charles County), and Rachel Manning
(Calvert County). The team was coached by Sheryl Bennett, Howard
County 4-H Extension Educator.
Rachel Manning placed 13th in the National Contest. Molly Hancock
was 15th. The national skillathon included a fleece judging class
and questions about wool. Both young ladies scored perfect 50's
in the fleece judging class.
Team members also competed in the 2008 Sheep
& Wool Skillathon at the Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival.
Rachel Manning placed first and Brittany Bowman placed 8th overall.
Maryland 4-H Livestock Roundup
A 4-H Livestock Roundup will be held July 6-8 at the Frederick
County 4-H Camp Center. The event is open to all Maryland senior
and intermediate 4-H members.
Activities and events will include guest speakers, barnyard Olympics,
seminars, a junior stockman's event, field trips, a livestock photo
contest, and a dance. There will be four topic tracts: beef, sheep,
swine, and goats.
Registration information is available from local 4-H offices. Participation
will be limited to the first 80.
|
Table of Contents
Featured Web Sites . . .
Maryland Rural Enterprise Development Center
The Maryland Rural Enterprise
Development Center (MREDC) is now the place for the agricultural
and natural resources community to go for valuable information thanks
to the creation of a new website: mredc.umd.edu.
The website was formally introduced at the Maryland Ag Commission
meeting on February 11, 2009.
MREDC was established by the University
of Maryland College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR)
to serve these communities through programming and support. The
need for such an effort was identified through a series of statewide
listening sessions and documented in a Maryland Agriculture Commission
report to the Governor.
Specifically, MREDC's mission is to:
- Serve as a portal for educational and outreach resources in
marketing and business development planning,
- Assist entrepreneurs in agriculture and natural resources
enterprises in developing new marketing plans and opportunities,
- Serve as a launching pad to a wide variety of web-based university,
community, and professional resources for developing profitable,
sustainable businesses.
- Provide new and next-generation farmers with access to training,
mentoring and business development resources.
- Provide continuing education and networking opportunities
for agricultural support agency personnel, Extension staff and
agricultural economic development specialists statewide.
http://www.mredc.umd.edu
Homemade "Cures" for Goats
Many sheep and goat owners are seeking more natural and less expensive
methods to treat their livestock. Clear Creek Farms (in Tennessee)
has published a list of Homemade
Cures (Recipes) for goats on their web site.
The web site gives a homemade recipe for a "Nutri-drench"
type supplement: 1 part corn oil (not canola or vegetable oil),
1 part molasses, and 1 part corn syrup.
There is no guarantee that homemade "cures" will work
or be as effective as traditional drug-based therapies or commercial
products. The advice of a large animal veterinarian or experienced
producer should be sought when livestock are not responding to treatment(s).
http://www.motesclearcreekfarms.com/asp/articles/Homemade-Cures-Recipes.asp
Frederick County Sheep Breeders Association
The Frederick
County Sheep Breeders Association is dedicated to promoting
sheep related activities in Maryland; supporting sheep and the area's
farm flocks; educating its members and the public; supporting youth
shepherds' 4-H activities; and helping to improve the sheep industry.
Their recently expanded web site provides a wealth of information
pertaining to sheep and sheep-raising, including links to news,
events (a calendar), members, photos, officers and committees, and
membership.
http://www.fredericksheepbreeders.com
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Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Maryland Niche Meat Marketing Initiative
Niche meats are growing in popularity as consumers hunger for exotic
flavors, such as grass-fed beef, goat, sheep and other livestock;
while others seek to support small-scale farming and conservation;
and health-conscious consumers pursue more nutritious meat produced
and processed using non-conventional methods. But moving into niche
meat production can be complicated.
The University of Maryland Extension Ag Marketing Program [www.agmarketing.umd.edu]
is organizing a Maryland niche meats and poultry marketing initiative.
The goals of this initiative include:
- Developing a searchable, geographic product database to facilitate
product searches by consumers, restaurants, and institutional
buyers- this effort will supplement, not replace the "Maryland's
Best" directory and other on-line listings.
- Providing information and resources for product development,
regulatory issues, and collaborative marketing efforts.
- Offering training and economic analysis to determine "best
fit" business structures and the profit potential of niche
meat markets in the Mid-Atlantic region.
If you're a Maryland farmer and interested in carving out a marketing
niche for your specialty meat and poultry products, fill out and
return the Maryland Niche Meat & Poultry Producers' Marketing
Initiative Interest & Directory Form. The form can be downloaded
from the web at www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/MarylandNicheMeat.pdf.
|
Table of Contents
Free Online Business Planning Software
According to anecdotal evidence, those who prepare a business plan
are 10 to 20 times more profitable than those who don't.
Recently, the Center for Farm
Financial Management (CFFM) at the University of Minnesota released
free online software for creating business plans at www.agplan.umn.edu.
AgPlan™ helps rural business owners develop business plans.
It includes templates for commodity-based agriculture, value-added
agriculture, small rural businesses, and commercial fishing. The
software is suitable for both large and small operators.
Business planning is an important part of successful farming, especially
during these difficult economic times.
www.agplan.umn.edu
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Table of Contents
USDA Establishes Naturally-Raised Meat Marketing Claim
In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a voluntary
standard for naturally-raised livestock and meat marketing claims.
USDA previously established voluntary standards for organic and
grass-fed livestock and meats.
The naturally-raised marketing claim standard states that livestock
used for the production of meat and meat products have been raised
entirely without growth promotants, antibiotics (except for ionophores
used as coccidiostats for parasite control), and have never been
fed animal by-products.
In establishing the naturally-raised marketing claim, USDA analyzed
over 44,000 comments received from producers, processors, consumers,
and other interested parties.
The naturally-raised marketing claim standard was published in
the January 21, 2009, Federal Register.
|
Table of Contents
Calendar of Events
March 20
Southeast Project Grass
Workshop
Register ($5) by March 18 or pay $10 at the door
Berks County Ag Center, Leesport, Pennsylvania.
Info: (610) 378-1327 or download
flyer.
March 27-28
Maryland-Delaware Beginning Shearing School
Ridgely Thompson Farm, Westminster, Maryland.
Info: David Greene at greelamb@gmail.com
or (410) 329-6241 or download
flyer.
April 4
Maryland-Delaware Advanced Shearing School
Ridgely Thompson Farm, Westminster, Maryland.
Info: David Greene at greelamb@gmail.com
or (410) 329-6241 or download
flyer.
April 19
Maryland Sale of Stars (club lamb sale)
Lippy Brothers Blue Barn, Hampstead, Maryland.
Info: Brad Rill at (443) 974-2020 or John Hall at (410) 708-8781
or download
flyer.
May 2-3
Maryland Sheep & Wool
Festival
Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, Maryland.
Info: http://www.sheepandwool.org
May 29-30
West Virginia Ram, Ewe, Club Lamb & Goat Show and Sale
Tri-County Fairgrounds, Petersburg, West Virginia.
Info: Lucy Kimble at (301) 257-1442 or Dennis Miller at (540) 896-3053.
June 6
Start of Western Maryland
Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test
Western Maryland Research & Education Center, Keedysville, Maryland.
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.
July 6-8
Maryland 4-H Livestock Roundup
Frederick County 4-H Camp, 5 miles south of Frederick, Maryland
Info: local Maryland 4-H extension offices
June 17
Maryland Wool Pool
Maryland State Fairgrounds, Timonium, Maryland.
Info: Dr. Rich Barczewski at (302) 857-6410 (day time) or (302)
659-1211 (evenings, before 9 p.m.) or rbarczewski@desu.edu.
July 25
West Virginia Performance Tested Ram and Buck Sale
WVU Reymann Memorial Farm, near Wardensville, West Virginia.
Info: Brad Smith at (304) 257-4689 or Brad.Smith@mail.wvu.edu
or Sara Hare at (304) 874-3561 or Sara.Hare@mail.wvu.edu.
August 1 (tentative)
Pennsylvania Performance-Tested Ram and Buck Sale
PA Livestock Evaluation Center, PA Furnace, Pennsylvania.
Info: Glenn Eberly at (814) 238-2527 or geberly@state.pa.us.
September 11-12
Scott County (Virginia) Hair Sheep Association Field Day and Private
Treaty Sale
Natural Tunnel State Park
and Cove Ridge Center, near Duffield, Virginia.
Info: Ted Fletcher at (276) 940-4051 or www.hairsheep.us.
October 3
Western Maryland Goat Field Day and Sale
Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Boonsboro, Maryland.
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.
October 24
Annual Mid-Atlantic Hair Sheep Sale
Mifflin County Fairgrounds, Reedsville, Pennsylvania.
Info: http://hairsheepsale.blogspot.com
Go to Calendar of Events at SheepGoatMarketing.info
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Table of Contents
 Wild
& Woolly is published quarterly by University of Maryland
Cooperative Extension. It is written and edited by Susan Schoenian,
Sheep and Goat Specialist at the Western Maryland Research &
Education Center in Keedysville.
To receive the newsletter, contact the Western Maryland Research
& Education Center at 18330 Keedysville Road, Keedysville,
MD 21756, (301) 432-2767 ext. 343 or 315, fax (301) 432-4089;
or e-mail: sschoen@umd.edu
or Pam Thomas, administrative assistant, at pthomas@umd.edu.
The cost of receiving the newsletter via mail is $10 per year
payable to the University of Maryland. The newsletter is free
when accessed via the Internet. Ask to be added to the e-mail
reflector list to receive an e-mail message when a new issue of
the newsletter has been posted to the web at www.sheepandgoat.com/news/index.html.
Comments and suggestions regarding the newsletter are always
welcome. References to commercial products or trade names are
made with the understanding that no discrimination is intended
and no endorsement by University of Maryland Cooperative Extension
is implied. Articles may be reprinted with permission of the author(s).
Article submissions are welcomed.
More information on sheep and goats is available on the web at
http://www.sheep101.info,
http://mdsheepgoat.blogspot.com,
and http://www.sheepgoatmarketing.info.
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