Sixty Bucks Participate in 2009 Buck Test
Sixty bucks participated in the 2009 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test. The test was initiated in 2006 at the University of Maryland's Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville, Maryland.
The purpose of the test is to evaluate the performance of meat goats consuming a pasture-only diet, with natural exposure to internal parasites. While on test, the bucks are evaluated for growth, parasite resistance, parasite resilience, and carcass merit. This was the first year that any bucks were harvested to collect actual carcass data.
The bucks were consigned by 17 breeders from 11 states. They included 46 New Zealand, purebred, and percentage Kikos, 5 Kiko x Boer crosses, 6 fullblood and percentage Boers, 2 Composite Tennessee Mountain Meat Goats (Boer x Kiko x Spanish), and 1 Myotonic.
The top-performing buck in the 2009 Test was a purebred Kiko buck consigned by Craig Adams from Litchfield, Illinois. A first-time consigner to the test, Adams had four of the top bucks in the test. He was the test's top consigner.
Top Performing Bucks
of 2009 Test (sold for $750 and $825, respectively)
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John Smith from Petersburg, Virginia, the consigner of last year’s top buck, had three of the top bucks in the 2009 test. He was in close contention for top consignment (top 3 buck) honors. The top Maryland buck was a Kiko consigned by Jeanne Dietz-Band from Keedysville, Maryland.
The 2009 test lasted 100 days, from June 18 until September 26. There was a 12-day adjustment period. Starting weights ranged from 25 to 69 lbs. and averaged 48.1 lbs. Ending weights ranged from 38 to 83 lbs. and averaged 61.9 lbs. Average daily gains ranged from -0.03 to 0.28 lbs. per day and averaged 0.14 lbs. per day. The buck with the highest average daily gain was a crossbred Kiko buck consigned by Merritt Burke from Nassau, Delaware.
Internal parasites (worms) were not a significant problem in this year's test. Fecal egg counts did not get high until towards the end of the test in late-September. The buck with the lowest average fecal egg counts was a percentage Boer consigned by Aaron and Levi Lantz from Oakland, Maryland.
During the duration of the test, Hamonchus contortus (the barber pole worm) comprised more than 80 percent of the worm infection, almost 100 percent of the infection in August and September. Only 11 anthelmintic treatments were administered to the bucks after the initial double deworming (moxidectin + levamisole) at the start of the test.
The buck with the lowest average FAMACHA© score was a Kiko buck consigned by Kendell and Dana Barnes from Winchester, Kentucky. It had a FAMACHA© score of 1 each time it was checked. The Barneses were the top consigner in last year's test.
Bucks meeting Gold, Silver, and Bronze standards of performance for growth, parasite resistance, and parasite resilience and minimum standards for structural correctness and reproductive soundness were deemed the top-performing bucks in the test and were eligible to sell via auction.
Eleven bucks qualified. Nine sold via silent auction on October 3rd at the 2nd annual Western Maryland Goat Sale & Field Day. Prices ranged from $200 to $1050 and averaged $514. The bucks meeting the Gold standards of performance sold for $750 and $825, respectively.
Top Selling Buck (L-R) P.J. Murphy and Craig Adams (sold for $1050)
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The sale also included an invitational doe sale. Consigners to the buck test were eligible to consign does to the sale. Nineteen Kiko and Boer does sold for an average price of $269. The high-selling doe was a Kiko consigned by John Smith. It brought $575.
A silent auction proved to be a good method to sell the goats. It put more emphasis on performance and allowed buyers to make more thoughtful purchases.
Dr. Richard Browning, a Research Animal Scientist from Tennessee State University, was the featured speaker at the field day. Dr. Browning discussed his multi-year meat goat breed comparison study and on-farm performance testing. His participation as a speaker was sponsored by Northeast SARE.
The event also hosted the first Goat Skillathon for youth. Twenty-eight youth competed for top honors. The skillathon will be expanded next year.
Nine bucks were harvested at LambCo LLC to collect carcass data. The highest yielding goat was a purebred Kiko consigned by Craig Adams. Next year, we would like to harvest more goats from the test and perhaps incorporate a carcass contest into the performance testing program.
Information and data from the 2009 Test can be viewed or downloaded from the blog at http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com.
http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com
A survey has been developed to evaluate the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Testing Program. Results of the survey will be used to improve and expand the testing program and to ensure that the program is meeting the needs of the meat goat industry.
Anyone interested in meat goat performance testing is invited to complete the survey: consigners to the test, potential consigners to the test, buck buyers, potential buck buyers, commercial producers, purebred breeders, and anyone else interested in meat goat performance testing.
The url for the survey is http://www.surveyshare.com/survey/take/?sid=95954.
http://www.surveyshare.com/survey/take/?sid=95954
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Table of Contents
Ten Ways to Get More Grass Production from Pasture
by Steve Barnhart and Dan Morrical
Iowa State University Extension
- Assess your pasture resources.
Be realistic. Are your grasses and legumes suited for production when you need them? Most of our pastures grow best during the ‘cool-season’ and often do not produce well during hot or dry periods. If there are anticipated shortage periods, what strategies exist to make up the deficit - better pasture species, other pasture, supplementation, or reducing stocking? Among the following alternatives, where will investment of money or management yield the greatest return?
- Nitrogen fertilizer boosts grass growth most consistently.
Grass-based pastures respond most quickly to nitrogen fertilizer, particularly the first 40 to 50 lbs/A. Suggestions for Ky. Bluegrass-dominant pastures: early spring, 60-80 lbs N/A; late spring (optional) additional 30-40 lb N/A; and/or late-summer (optional) additional 30-40 lbs N/A.
For tall, cool-season grasses-dominant pastures (such as orchardgrass, smooth bromegrass or tall fescue): early spring, 80-120 lbs N/A; late spring (optional) additional 40-60 lbs N/A, and/or late summer (optional) additional 40-60 lbs N/A.
Mixed legume-grass pastures: if less than 1/3 legume – treat as a grass pasture; if more than 1/3 legume – no nitrogen is recommended. To encourage more legume presence, use modest early spring N and defer some of the seasons total N to late-spring or late-summer.
- Need Phosphorus (P) and Potassium (K)?
Don’t guess – soil test! With fertilizer costs rising, don’t guess how much fertilizer to apply. Soil tests give you a better guide for applying the soil nutrients that you actually need for forage growth response. Grass and pasture legume yield response to P and K is less noticeable than for nitrogen (N).
Yields of grasses can be expected when P or K is applied to pastures with ‘low’ or ‘very low’ soil test indexes. Yields of pasture legumes can be expected when P or K is applied to pastures with ‘low’ or ‘very low’ or ‘optimum’ soil test indexes. Adding more P, K or manure to already fertile sites is not economical.
- Liming pasture.
Lime improves soil pH. Grasses grow well at pH ranges of 6.0 to 7.0. Legumes grow best at pH ranges of 6.5 to 7.0. Sample to a 2- to 3- inch depth for lime needs, and use the soil test for rate recommendations.
Goats grazing cool season grass pasture
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- Consider adding legumes.
Legumes such as clovers or alfalfa improve pasture nutritive value, distribution of growth during the summer months and provide nitrogen to grasses. Legumes can be added to existing pasture sods by frost seeding and interseeding. Frost seeding is broadcasting seed in February or early March in Iowa. Interseeding is done with a no-till drill later in the spring (March and April) or in late summer (August to very early September), if soil moisture conditions are suitable.
Success of these efforts is better when done on a thin or less competitive sod and with follow-up clipping and grazing. The benefits of frost seeding or interseeding are gradual and can be short-lived, unless grazing management is used to allow for ‘development of the new pasture’. Production gains can be erased within a few years by maintaining continuous stocking at high stocking rates on the pasture. More productive grasses can be planted into existing sod with interseeding.
- Start rotational grazing.
Improved grazing management can give practical gains in forage and livestock productivity. Benefits from improved grazing are evident within a few months, but realistically take 2 to 3 years to be fully reached. Plants need ‘rest’ and time to recover from leaf removal so use some kind of rotation grazing to maintain plant vigor and productivity.
Rotational grazing guidelines are to move animals to a new paddock within 6 to 7 days; to give grazed pastures about 30 days of ‘rest’ for recovery; and to leave an average of 2 to 3 inches of residual grass stubble following grazing. Division of a pasture into 4 to 6 smaller paddocks is a good start for accomplishing these (or nearly so). If you can’t go to 4 paddocks, start with 2 paddocks. If you can’t rotate at all, at least use proper stocking rates on continuously grazed pastures to avoid overgrazing.
- Control the weeds.
Dense forage stands, with a good fertility program, proper pH and grazing management, often crowd out weeds. If that doesn’t work, consider the use of selective herbicides.
- Stretch limited pasture.
When grass availability is limited, stretch existing grass supplies by feeding supplemental grain or hay on pasture or in dry lot; or, consider early weaning or reducing stock numbers.
- Extend the season.
Stockpiling is a great way to extend the grazing season. Stop grazing in one or more pastures in your grazing rotation and apply nitrogen to these areas in early August. Let the forage accumulate in these set-aside pasture areas, and turn animals on them later in fall or winter.
- Start over with a new seeding.
The most drastic and costly pasture improvement alternative is to completely renovate the pasture. While ‘starting over’ allows you to make major changes, it often requires a few years for new seedings to become fully productive, and can leave you with low pasture production for a few years while the pasture is establishing. Risks with complete renovation are soil erosion and possible stand damage before seedlings become well established.
Reprinted with permission from Lamb & Wool: A Newsletter for the Iowa Sheep Industry/October 2009.
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New Web Site: Is CL Treatable?
Possible CL abscess
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There is a new web site that seeks to dispel the commonly-held belief that there is no treatment for CL (caseous lymphadenitis). The title of the web site is Use of autogenous vaccine in the treatment of CL in goats. The url is http://www.clgoatcare.org/.
CL is a contagious bacterial disease that affects sheep and goats. It is characterized by abscess formations in the skin, internal and external lymph nodes, and internal organs. It is caused by the bacteria Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis.
In the web site, Susan M. Straumann, owner of a farm sanctuary, shares her experiences treating a CL-infected goat. She has done considerable research into the topic, including researching USDA regulations pertaining to the use of autogenous vaccines. Use of information from the web site is at the user's risk.
www.clgoatcare.org |
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CIDRs Approved For Sheep
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recently announced the approval of the EAZI-Breed CIDR Sheep Insert (progesterone solid matrix) for induction of estrus in ewes (sheep) during seasonal anestrous. This progesterone Controlled Intravaginal Drug Release (CIDR) is a steroid hormone that allows out-of-season breeding in sheep.
The data to support this approval were gathered in collaboration with the National Research Support Project–7 (NRSP-7), a USDA program intended to support the approval of new animal drugs for minor species of agricultural importance.
“Members of the U.S. sheep industry have long cited this type of product as their top priority need,” said, Dr. Meg Oeller, Director, Center for Veterinary Medicine, Office of Minor Use and Minor Species Animal Drug Development.
EAZI-Breed CIDR Sheep Insert is manufactured by Pharmacia and Upjohn, a division of Pfizer, Inc., New York, New York.
Source: FDA Center for Veterinary Medicine News, 11.16.09
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Injection techniques: Part II
by Dr. Clive Dalton & Dr. Majorie Orr
New Zealand
Subcutaneous injection (under the skin)
This is the easiest and quickest form of injection, and it is used for many vaccines and drugs that are non-irritant and are readily absorbed.
With stock held in a race to give a subcutaneous injection, pull up a handful of skin to make a “tent” and slide the needle into the base of the tent under the skin and press the plunger. Check when doing this to make sure the jet from the syringe is not coming out the other side of the tent because you’ve pushed the needle too far through.
With irritant materials as some vaccines can be, a reaction may result producing a lump. This may blemish the carcass when the animal is killed and dressed. In such cases, make the injection at the top and to one side of the neck. Any lump that occurs here can be trimmed off when the carcass is dressed.
Intramuscular injection (into the muscle)
Many drugs have to be injected deep into the muscles to give more rapid absorption and may lead to less irritation.
Where possible the intramuscular injection should be given deep into the muscles of the neck rather than into the big muscle mass of a hind quarter. The reason is that the rear end is where the top-priced meat is on the carcass, and is the last place you want to cause an abscess in the carcass to be found when the sheep is killed or worse still – not found until it reaches the consumer!
When injecting into the neck the sheep can see you coming and often moves, whereas injecting in the rump there is less chance of it being aware of what is going on till afterwards. If the sheep feels pain with the initial jab or when the product is being forced down the syringe, watch for the sheep moving and the needle coming out.
It is important that the injection is not put into subcutaneous fat and actually hits muscle. That’s why it needs to go in deep. Just before pressing the syringe plunger; withdraw it a little and if has inadvertently gone into a blood vessel, blood will show in the barrel of the syringe. If this happens the needle must be moved to a new site so that the injection is intramuscular and not intravenous.
If a spore of some Clostridial organism such as tetanus, blackleg, black disease or malignant edema, is lying harmlessly in the muscle, the disturbance created by the injection may cause it to germinate leading to fatal disease. This is a good reason for keeping Clostridial vaccinations up-to-date.
Intravenous injection (into the vein)
Avoid giving intravenous injections (into the vein) and leave them to your veterinarian as finding a vein and injecting into to it can be tricky, especially on a sheep with long wool.
You can do intravenous injections under veterinary supervision and where you will have to demonstrate to your veterinarian that you are competent to carry out the task.
Intravenous injections are generally given into the jugular vein in the neck and it can be tricky to find. The sheep should be well restrained when locating the vein and when injecting. If the vein is missed, there can be serious bleeding under the skin, and accidental injection of many medications around the vein instead of into it can cause a very nasty reaction, sometimes with sloughing of the skin.
There are many medications that could kill or do serious damage if injected into a vein and run in too quickly. For example, when injecting calcium solutions intravenously, a veterinarian may listen to the heartbeat to gauge the rate of injection by the response of the heart. Without this, sudden deaths may occur.
For large volumes e.g. for milk fever or grass staggers, injections come in bottles or sachets with a long rubber tube attached to the needle so that the solution is gravity fed and the rate must be controlled by the height at which you hold the container.
Because the rapid injection of any medication into a vein can be lethal, all intravenous injections are given very slowly. The sheep must also be well restrained.
Intramammary injection (into the udder)
In sheep, antibiotics for mastitis are normally given intramuscularly but you may need to give an Intramammary injection to get antibiotics into the udder via the teat canal.
These are really “infusions” using the long neck on the tube rather than a needle to deliver the treatment. Remember the teat sphincter muscle that opens into the teat canal are very delicate structures and the teat is a very sensitive part of the sheep so work gently and with care.
A sheep’s teat canal is much smaller and more delicate than that of a cow. After the full tube has been emptied into the teat, it’s no longer recommended to hold the teat end and massage the product up into the udder.
It is also important to clean the end of the teat with meths before you insert the tube. Use cotton wool swabs and keep using them until they show no more dirt from the teat end. This may take quite a few rubs. If you don’t clean the teat end - all you’ll do is to push dirt and bugs into the teat and cause more problems.
Reprinted with permission from the Wool Shed 1 (woolshed1.blogspot.com).
Part I of this article was published in the Fall 2009 issue of Wild & Woolly.
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28 Youth Compete in First Goat Skillathon
The Western Maryland Goat Field Day and Sale, held October 3 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center, hosted a goat skillathon for youth. Twenty-eight youth participated in the inaugural event. Youth from Berkeley County, West Virginia, and Howard County did especially well.
In the junior division (8-10), Kameron Dorsey from Frederick County won first place. Maggie Goodmuth (Howard County) and Cameron Lafevre (Berkeley County) won second and third place, respectively.
Tara Burner from Berkeley County was the first place intermediate (11-13). Jared Hoffman, also from Berkeley County, won second place. The third place winner was Ryan Hevner from Carroll County.
In the senior division (14-18), Ashely Butler (Berkeley County) won first place. Hannah Goodmuth from Howard County was second place and T.J. Morgan from Berkeley County was third.
Goat Skillathon winners
(L-R) Kameron Dorsey, Tara Burner, and Ashley Butler
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The goat skillathon consisted of six stations: feed and forage ID; breed ID; equipment ID; health and management; anything goes (potluck); and a written test. Next year's goat skillathon will be expanded to include more stations.
Thanks to Shannon Uzelac, Mary Beth Bennett, Sheryl Bennett, and Chris Anderson for running the skillathon.
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/skillathon/goatskillathon.html
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by Elizabeth Crook
Graduate Student,
Delaware State University
Recently, research was conducted at Delaware State University to determine the most prevalent gastrointestinal worms of sheep and goats in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. and to determine which dewormers were effective or ineffective against parasites in this region. The states tested included Delaware (DE), Maryland (MD), Virginia (VA), West Virginia (WV) and Pennsylvania (PA).
This research was funded by a USDA capacity building grant and would not have been possible without the combined effort of Dr. Dahlia J. O’Brien, her graduate student Elizabeth Crook, and several other graduate and undergraduate student technicians. The producers who were willing to allow us to come onto their farms and sample sheep and goats were also an invaluable asset.
Thirty-two farms in this region (19 goat; 13 sheep) were tested for dewormer resistance with the larval development assay performed by Dr. Ray Kaplan’s laboratory at the University of Georgia. This laboratory also conducted the larval identification to determine which parasites were on each farm.
Fecal samples were collected rectally from at least 10 goats and sheep on farms in the Mid-Atlantic and then shipped overnight to the University of Georgia. Haemonchus contortus (barber pole worm) was the most common parasite on 84% of the farms tested. This was followed by Trichostrongylus colubriformis (bankrupt worm).
This finding suggests that use of the FAMACHA© scoring system may be an effective means to selectively treat animals in this region because it measures the degree of anemia caused by the barber pole worm.
Elizabeth Crook, DSU Graduate Student
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On all farms tested benzimidazoles (white drenches, Safeguard®) were ineffective on 97% of farms tested. There was one exception where parasites on one farm only had a low level of resistance to benzimidazoles. This test did not include Valbazen®, which is also a benzimidazole. Resistance to ivermectin (Ivomec®) was reported on 56% of farms tested.
Moxidectin (Cydectin®) was not far behind the related drug ivermectin, with 50% of farms tested having resistance to the dewormer. The dewormer that still had some effectiveness was levamisole (Prohibit™) with only 28% of farms showing resistance to this dewormer.
The amount of resistance found is alarming with some of these farms having resistance to all three classes of dewormers. Therefore, it is essential to implement selective treatment techniques to prevent the further development of dewormer resistance.
It is advisable that all producers determine the level of resistance in their own herd. This will allow you to choose a dewormer that is most effective to be included in your deworming program. This knowledge in an integrated parasite management approach (FAMACHA, fecal egg counts, pasture management, etc.) can allow one to more effectively control parasites on their farm.
If you would like more information on this research and others conducted at DSU, please do not hesitate to contact Dr. Dahlia O’Brien at (302) 857– 6490 or djjackson@desu.edu. In addition, please contact her if you’d like to give your opinion about the type of research and programs that you would like to see conducted at Delaware State University.
Editor's note: Levamisole is currently off the market.
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New Book: Getting Your Goat
Getting Your Goat: The Gourmet Guide
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Goats have been a major source of food since time immemorial. Goat meat can be stewed, curried, baked, grilled, barbecued, minced, canned, or made into sausage. Goat milk and the cheese made from it has remained popular throughout history and still is consumed on a more extensive basis worldwide than cow’s milk.
Getting Your Goat: The Gourmet Guide is the name of a new cook book that has goat meat and cheese recipes from all over the world. It is written by Patricia Moore and Jill Charlotte Stanford and published by Evertype.
The book is available online from amazon.com and barnesandnoble.com. Local book stores can probably order it.
Try their recipe for Porcupine Meatballs.
Porcupine Meatballs
2 lb (900g) ground goat meat
1/2 cup (120 ml) raw white rice
2 tablespoons (30 ml) onion, minced
2 teaspoons (10 ml) salt
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) black pepper
1 cup (240 ml) tomato juice
2 tablespoons (30 ml) ketchup
1 tablespoon (15 ml) horseradish
1/2 teaspoon (2.5 ml) Worcestershire sauce
Mix the ground goat meat, rice, onion, salt and pepper, and shape into 1/2” (1.24 cm) or 1” (2.5 cm) meatballs and place them in an oven-proof casserole dish.
Mix the tomato juice with the rest of the ingredients. Pour over the meatballs and bake at 350°F/180°C/Gas 2, covered, for 45 minutes
Recipe reprinted with permission from Evertype.
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Table of Contents
Judging sheep in Europe
by David Gordon
Montgomery County 4-H/Ag Extension Agent
David Gordon, Livestock
Judging Team Coach
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The 2008 Maryland, 4-H Livestock Judging Team had the opportunity this summer to travel to Europe and represent America at the Royal Highland Show in Edinburgh Scotland. We are deeply indebted to many of you for the support both financial and otherwise that helped make the trip a reality. We would like to share with you some of the highlights of their year and the trip this summer, of course with a focus on sheep.
The team finished as one of the most highly-decorated Maryland Livestock Judging Teams ever. The members of the team included Drew Cashman, Lukas Ziegler, and Claire and Troy Bennett, all 4-H members from Carroll County.
The team won two National Contests, never finished out of the top 5 and tied for second at the National 4-H Contest in Louisville. In addition, we had the high individual at two of these contests and had two members, Drew Cashman and Claire Bennett, named All-Americans at the national contest.
That was last November; the team spent the next several months holding fundraisers to raise the money for the international trip in June. Then on June 24th, a group of 13 Marylanders (youth, parents, and coaches) meet at BWI to embark on the trip of a lifetime. When we touched down in Scotland on June 25th, jackets came out as the temperatures were reaching a high of around 65°F. After touring Edinburgh in the morning, we arrived at the Royal Highland for a tutorial on how to judge sheep and cattle since it is very different than in the U.S.
Many of the sheep breeds are similar to our U.S. breeds. However, these breeds looked nothing like their counterparts here in America. I can now truly say I know what a traditional Hampshire head looks like with an extreme amount of wool on the head and in the eye channels. None of their Suffolks would stand higher than your waist and had bone and foot size that would make some cattle jealous.
Then there were the breeds that many of us had never seen before like the Blue du Maine, Charollais, Rouge, and many others. We had to opportunity to see the Champion Texel ewe that was as wide and heavy muscled a sheep as I had ever seen. They told us that the ram that sired her sold last year for 60,000 pounds which is a little over $99,000 and that to buy her you would need well over £30,000.
2008 Maryland 4-H Livestock Judging Team (L-R)
Drew
Cashman, Claire Bennett, Troy Bennett, and Lukas Ziegler
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In general, the Scottish sheep are shorter, wider, have more wool and have an extreme amount of muscle and bone. Much of this we were told is attributed to the difference in environment. While we graze sheep in pastures on plains, they graze sheep literally on the side of mountains. The sheep are shorter and stouter to deal with the more rugged terrain.
The wool is protection from the elements as it is much cooler and moist in Scotland. In addition, there is no grain grown in Scotland to feed sheep so their sheep do what sheep were really intended to do, eat grass. Larger sheep would need to eat so much more to gain weight so these moderate sheep are more efficient and have been selected.
The most interesting part of learning about judging sheep was how they gave reasons. When asked to give a sample set of reasons on a ewe our guide went into how bright-eyed the ewe was, how wide she was between the eyes and how powerfully muzzled she was. These were all things that we never discuss in America other than to say she has a feminine head or is too masculine. Our guide told us that they talk so much about it because a sheep’s job is to graze and a strong, powerful head and muzzle helps them to intake the most forage.
Learning new reasons was only part of the fun. They show and judge sheep differently than we do too. In watching a one of the sheep shows, everyone with a ewe in the class brought her to the ring and simply turned them loose. When the judge places your sheep, you have to go catch them and stand in your place.
In the judging class, we are use to numbering animals 1, 2, 3, or 4. In Scotland they use A, B, X and Y. We asked several people why they used A, B, X and Y but no one could really tell us. Another oddity was that the kids where lab coats, like doctors, to show and judge in. An interesting fashion statement but I think our kids made it look good.
British sheep breeds: Suffolk and Texel
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The kids had to break up in pairs to judge so two of them judged beef, Claire and Troy, and two of them judged sheep, Lukas and Drew. The judging classes were pretty much like in America. The sheep are loose in pens with ties around their necks to identify each animal. However, timing is much different. In America, you have 12 minutes for a regular class and 15 minutes for a reasons class. In the Scotland contest there were only 8 minutes for each class so our kids said they felt a little rushed.
In the sheep classes, there is also close inspection and handling. So the kids start outside the barricade but when close inspection is called, they all jump into the ring catch the sheep and start handling them. This was a little odd for our kids. Still, they took everything in stride and represented Maryland very well by finishing as the 3rd high placing sheep team.
Learning about sheep in Scotland was phenomenal experience. Along with judging, we also go to see shearing contests and dog herding trials. In a country with about one sheep for every person, the prominence of sheep was everywhere. While it was very different from what we were use to in the United States it was great to see how their breeds, industry and management practices have evolved.
Each of our countries has advantages in our animals and management practices and each of our differences work for us. Like we told our kids when we first talked about the trip, many things will be different in Europe. That doesn’t mean it is better or worse, just different. We found this same motto applied to their sheep industry as well.
Congratulations to Maryland's 2008 4-H Livestock Judging Team! |
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Calendar of Events
January 8
Sheep Management 101 (all-day hands-on clinic for beginning shepherds)
Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena, Virginia Tech, Blackburg, Virginia
Info: Dr. Scott Greiner at (540) 231-9163 or sgreiner@vt.edu
January 9
Virginia-North Carolina Shepherd's Symposium
Alphin-Stuart Livestock Arena, Virginia Tech, Blackburg, Virginia
Info: Dr. Scott Greiner at (540) 231-9163 or sgreiner@vt.edu
January 12 and January 19 (7 to 9:30 p.m. )
Advanced Sheep & Goat Care
Washington County Extension Office, Boonsboro, Maryland
For info and to register: Jeff Semler at (301) 791-1304 or jsemler@umd.edu
January 13, 20, & 27 and February 3 (6:30 to 8:45 p.m.)
Introduction to Sheep and Goat Production
Baltimore County Extension Office, Timonium, Maryland
For info and to register: (410) 666-1022 or pmoore@umd.edu
January 15-16
2010 Future Harvest - CASA Annual Conference
[includes pre-conference seminar: small ruminant enterprises]
National Conservation Training Center (NCTC), Shepherdstown, West Virginia
Info: (410) 549-7878 or futureharvestcasa@gmail.com
January 20-23
American Sheep Industry Association Annual Convention (ASI)
Sheraton Nashville Downtown, Nashville, Tennessee
Info: www.sheepusa.org
January 21
Tri-State Hay and Pasture Conference
Garrett College Continuing Education, McHenry, Maryland
For info or to register: Willie Lantz at (301) 334-6960 or wlantz@umd.edu
January 27 – March 7 (Wednesdays, 6 to 9 p.m.)
Annie’s Project (farm management classes for women)
Nine locations in Maryland and Delaware
Info: www.anniesproject.umd.edu or (410) 758-0166.
February 4-6
PASA’s 19th Annual Farming for the Future Conference
Penn State Conference Center Hotel,
State College, Pennsylvania
Info: www.pasafarming.org
February 12
Profiting from a Few Acres Conference - Dairy Goats
Delaware State University, Dover, Delaware
Info: (302) 857 6462
March 6-10
Wisconsin Dairy Sheep School
Spooner Agricultural Research Center, Spooner, Wisconsin
Info: (608) 332-2889 or clairemikolay@gmail.com
May 1-2
Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, Maryland
Info: www.sheepandwool.org
October 2 --SAVE THE DATE--
Western Maryland Goat Field Day, Sale, and Skillathon
Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Boonsboro, Maryland
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu
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Table of Contents
 Wild
& Woolly is published quarterly by the University of Maryland
Extension. It is edited by Susan Schoenian, Sheep
and Goat Specialist at the Western Maryland Research & Education
Center in Keedysville, Maryland.
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Comments and suggestions regarding the newsletter are always
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Articles may be reprinted with permission of the author(s). Article
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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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