Top-performing buck brings $1,400

(L-R) Troy Probst and Craig Adams and family

The top-performing buck of the 2010 Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test brought $1,400 during silent auction on October 2.  The buyer was Troy Probst from Lock Haven, Pennsylvania.  The consignor was Craig Adams from Litchfield, Illinois.

Adams had both the top-performing buck and the top consignment of bucks in the 2009 and 2010 tests.  He received plaques for these honors.

This year's top buck, a purebred Kiko, excelled in almost every performance category.  His 0.217 per day ADG was twice as much as the test average and quite amazing when you consider this year’s pathetic drought-ravaged pastures.

The buck never required deworming and his fecal egg count averaged a mere 154 eggs per gram.  According to ultrasound, the buck had the largest rib eye in the test.  Two other bucks had the same measurement, but these bucks were more than ten pounds heavier on the day of scanning.

Read more about the W. MD Goat Field Day, Sale, & Skillathon =>

Joe Frey honored as Shepherd of the Year

By Steve & Joan Hobbs
2009 Shepherds of theYear

At the annual Maryland Sheep Breeders Association meeting held in October, Joe Frey was named “Shepherd of the Year” for his dedication and years of service to the association.

(L-R) Joe Frey, Steve and Joan Hobbs Image by Debbie Frey

Joe is a long-time resident of Washington County. He started out shearing sheep many years ago with his father.  He now shears approximately eight hundred head a year and also works a full time job.

Joe later became involved with breeding sheep when he and his daughter began showing Dorset sheep at the local fairs. He and his wife Debbie now raise 4-H club lambs and Dorset sheep.

Joe has been active with the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association for many years. He held the office of Vice President for two years and President for three years, with previous terms on the Executive Board.

Joe is on several Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival committees, spending many hours working at the shepherd equipment auction. He also assists in sorting, weighing, and baling wool at the yearly Maryland Wool Pool.

Congratulations to Joe!

From Start to Finish

From Lancaster Farming, Southern Edition, November 20, 2010

Meat goat producers from eight states gathered on November 6 for the rare opportunity to learn the process of grading live goats, watch a goat harvest, and evaluate whole carcasses ready for market.  Participants followed two goats – one grass-fed and one grain-fed – from start to finish.

Dr. Bob Herr, owner of Nix Besser Livestock Co, in Narvon, PA, a livestock dealer and order buyer of sheep and goats at the New Holland Sales Stables taught the group how to separate goats into three grades: Selection 1-3. He said, "the arm muscle is an indicator of muscle the rest of the way down."

According to Herr, there is no one size goat that is perfect for every holiday, because different ethnic groups require different goat sexes and size.  However, he says, “an 80-lb. billy is hard to beat.”  Herr recommends taking goats to market the week before a holiday.

“A lot of people pride themselves on having all pasture-fed goats, but putting them on grain a little will bring you double at the sale barn,” Herr said.  In contrast, he said most high-placing show goats are over-finished.  According to Herr, “there is no one right way to raise goats."

The workshop was held at LambCo, LLC, a USDA/custom slaughter facility in New Windsor, Maryland.  It was sponsored by the MPWV Meat Goat Producers Association.

According to President Pam Adams, MPWV works very hard to bring programs to producers to add value to their goats. For more information about MPWV, contact Pam at (410) 549-2539 or visit their web site at www.meatgoat.biz.

Read full article at http://lfg.live.mediaspanonline.com/assets/5445256/S02LFWE-112010_1.pdf.

New publications: Johne's disease Q & A

The National Johne's Disease Working Group has prepared Q & A booklets about Johne's Disease in sheep and goats. The publications may be downloaded from Johne’s Information Central at www.johnesdisease.org.

The Maryland Department of Agriculture has provided some hard copies of the publications for distribution to Maryland producers.  Contact Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu to request a copy of the Johne’s Disease Q & A for either sheep or goat owners.

Sheep with Johne's disease Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Johne's (pronounced "YO-knees") is a fatal gastrointestinal disease of sheep, goats, and other ruminants. It is caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis. 

Also known as paratuberculosis, the infection is contagious and can spread in a flock. The primary source of infection is manure.

Due to lack of testing and reporting, it is not known how widespread Johne's disease is in sheep and goats in the United States. However, it has been confirmed in sheep flocks and goat herds throughout the country.

Johne's Disease Q & A for Goat Owners
Johne's Disease Q & A for Sheep Owners

Other links to Johne's disease =>

Do your sheep have footrot?

University of Maine Cooperative Extension is partnering with other Northeast states to recruit sheep flocks for a new SARE*-funded Sheep Foot Health Project.  The purpose of the project is to help producers eliminate footrot from their flocks and keep it from reoccurring.

Visit the Sheep Foot Health Project web site at http://umaine.edu/sheep to learn more about the project and the benefits and requirements of flock participation.

An application packet is available on the web site.  All information submitted by participants about their flock and farm will be held in strict confidence.

Though only a limited number of sheep flocks can be active participants in the project, all sheep and goat producers will benefit from the educational programs and materials that the Sheep Foot Health Project will generate in the next several years.

Footrot is one of the most insidious diseases affecting sheep and goats.  It is both preventable and curable. It presents itself as lame sheep, sheep that kneel to graze, or sheep with hoof separation. 

*Sustainable Agriculture Research & Education

Sheep Foot Health Research & Education =>
Hoof care and diseases page =>

New and innovative uses of wool

by Susan Schoenian

Wool is being used to make more and more useful products.  It is an eco-friendly alternative to many existing materials and its unique properties lend itself well to advanced manufacturing technologies.

An entrepreneur in England has created packaging material (for temperature sensitive items) out of leftover wool.  Not only are the wool-insulated boxes more environmentally-friendly, but they have out-performed traditional poly-based insulating materials, keeping items twice as cool.

[www.woolcool.com]

Prince Charles is suggesting that people be buried in woolen coffins. The Prince points out that wool is natural, sustainable, and biodegradable. The company also manufactures woolen caskets for cremated ashes.

[www.hainsworth.co.uk]

Several companies are using wool to make building insulation.  Wool has a higher R value than fiberglass, cellulose, or mineral wood.  It is not irritating to the respiratory system or skin like other insulating materials. It is resistant to mold and permanently traps troublesome  substances.

[www.sheepwoolinsulation.ie; www.oregonshepherd.com; www.terralana.co.nz]

Mulch pads made from wool offer an environmentally-friendly alternative to traditional plastic mulches. Wool mulch suppresses weeds, while retaining moisture and protecting plants from temperature extremes. 

[www.mlwp.com/woolch.htm]

Bricks reinforced with wool (and seaweed) are less toxic than those reinforced with traditional building materials.  Plus, they’re stronger and more suitable for adverse climatic conditions.

[woolbricks.com]

Eco-friendly babies wear wool diaper covers instead of traditional plastic covers.  Wool diaper covers keep moisture in, but allow air to circulate keeping babies warm and dry. Wool helps prevent against diaper rash and infections.

[www.betterforbabies.com]

Wool has long been championed for its utility in cleaning up oil and other chemical spills.  Wool soaks up to 40 times its weight in oil.  Instead of absorbing the oil, it traps it, enabling the wool pads to be recycled for re-use.

Nanotechnology is being used to further improve wool’s natural qualities. Scientists are using wool proteins  to create new wound dressings,  bone graft implants, and medical suture technology. 

The last month

by Susan Schoenian

The last month in which a ewe or doe is pregnant is very important.  Seventy percent of fetal growth occurs during this last trimester. At the same time, the female's udder tissue is developing and her rumen capacity is decreasing. Extra nutrition is usually required to support a successful pregnancy.

Energy (TDN) is the nutrient most likely to be deficient during the last month of pregnancy.  Some grain is usually fed to pregnant females because grain is the most concentrated source of energy.  Often, it is not possible for high-producing females to consume enough forage (fresh or dry) to meet their late gestation nutritional requirements. 

The exact amount of nutrients (or feed) that a pregnant ewe or doe needs depends upon her age, size (weight), breed (sometimes), and expected level of production (number of fetuses). Overfeeding and underfeeding can both have negative consequences on the outcome of a pregnancy and the female’s subsequent lactation.

Insufficient nutrition may lead to pregnancy toxemia (also called ketosis), the birth of small and weak babies, higher neonatal mortality, reduced quantity and quality of colostrum, poor milk yield, and reduced fiber production (in the offspring via fewer secondary follicles).

Fat females are also more prone to pregnancy toxemia, as broken-down fat produces toxic ketone bodies.  Fat females are more likely to prolapse their vaginas and have difficulty delivering their offspring.  While some males may sire oversized fetuses, the more common cause of oversized fetuses (and subsequent dystocia) is overfeeding during the final month of pregnancy.

Calcium
The female's requirements for calcium virtually double during late gestation.  An insufficient intake of calcium may result in milk fever (hypocalcaemia).  Milk fever can also result from the female's inability to mobilize calcium reserves from her bones.  This is usually caused by excessive calcium in the diet. 

Grains are usually poor sources of calcium, while legume hays tend to be rich in calcium.  Ground limestone can be added to the ration to increase the calcium content.  Milk fever and pregnancy toxemia present similar symptoms.  Diagnosis is usually made on the basis of the animal’s response to treatment (calcium vs. propylene glycol).

Selenium
Inadequate intake of selenium (and/or vitamin E) may result in poor reproductive performance, retained placentas, and white muscle disease in lambs and kids.  A mineral mix that contains the legal limit of selenium should be fed to ewes and does, especially during the last month of pregnancy.

Dietary supplementation of selenium is always preferred to injections. Injections are often given (to lambs and kids) if dietary sources of selenium fail to prevent white muscle disease. Under normal circumstances, it is not usually necessary to inject newborns with selenium and/or vitamin E.  Injectable selenium must be obtained from a licensed veterinarian.

Vaccinations
Ewes and does should be vaccinated for clostridium perfringins type C and D (overeating disease) and tetanus approximately one month before lambing and kidding.  This way, newborns will acquire passive immunity when they drink the colostrum, the dam’s first milk.  In fact, vaccinating the pregnant female is the only way to protect young lambs and kids from type C and tetanus. 

Internal Parasites
The periparturient rise in worm eggs is a natural phenomenon whereby small ruminant females suffer a temporary loss of immunity to internal parasites (worms) at the time of parturition (birthing).  In spring-lambing flocks, this periparturient rise often coincides with the “awakening” of previously arrested worm larvae, further worsening the problem.  In addition, the worm eggs deposited by the dam are the primary source of infection for young lambs and kids.

There are several strategies for dealing with the peri-parturient egg rise. Previously, it was recommended that all ewes and does be dewormed prior to lambing and kidding.   All of the anthelmintics are deemed safe for pregnant females, with the exception of Valbazen, which should not be given during the first 30 days of pregnancy or ram removal.

Nowadays, FAMACHA©, body condition scores, and other criteria can be used to make selective deworming decisions at the time of parturition. Another strategy is to increase the protein level of the ration.  Extra protein in late gestation has been shown to reduce the periparturient rise of eggs in ewes.

It always is a good idea to feed a coccidiostat (e.g. Bovatec® or Rumensin®) to ewes and does during their last month of pregnancy.  This will reduce the number of coccidia oocysts in the lambing and kidding environment, which will help young lambs and kids to develop immunity to coccidia without developing clinical disease. An added benefit is that coccidiostats may aid in preventing abortions caused by toxoplasmosis (cat coccidia). 

Abortions
If there is a history (or high risk) of abortions, antibiotics can be fed to ewes during the last month of pregnancy.  Chlortetracycline has been FDA-approved for use in sheep to prevent abortions caused by Chlymidia sp. and  Campylobacter sp.  Its use in goats requires veterinary approval.

Certain mineral deficiencies can cause abortions and affect newborn viability. Goats that are housed with sheep and/or fed sheep feeds and/or mineral mixes may be copper deficient and require copper supplementation .  As with copper toxicity in sheep, copper deficiency in goats (and sheep) is complicated.  There are various environmental factors and interactions with other minerals involved.

Shearing
It is generally recommended that fiber-producing animals be shorn approximately one month prior to parturition.  Shearing offers numerous advantages to both the female and her offspring.  At the same time, freshly-shorn animals need proper shelter and have higher nutrient requirements than fully-fleeced animals.  

Crutching, a short modification of shearing in which wool around the vulva and udder is removed, is recommended when fully-fleeced animals are not sheared.

Facilities
For the last month of pregnancy, ewes and does should be kept at the location where they will lamb and kid. Unfamiliar groups of females should not be mixed.  Females should not be unduly stressed in any way. Lambing and kidding facilities should be prepared at least one week before the first lambs and kids are due to be born.

It goes without saying that ewes and does need a clean, dry, draft-free place to give birth and bond with their babies.  If lambing and kidding will occur on pasture, it should be on a clean, well-rested pasture with access to shelter.  Pastured animals have higher nutritional requirements than housed animals, especially during cold and/or wet weather.

Supplies needed for lambing and kidding should be accumulated ahead of time.  One of the most important supplies to have on hand  is a source of colostrum and a supply of  lamb and/or kid milk replacer.

Proper nutrition and management during the last month of gestation will go a long way towards ensuring a successful lambing and kidding season.  Poor nutrition and management may result in a disastrous lambing and kidding season.

Featured breed: East Friesian

The East Friesian is a breed of dairy sheep that originated in the Friesland area of Germany and Holland, the same region where Friesian cattle (Holstein) were developed.

The East Friesian is the best milking sheep in the world.  Their average milk production can exceed 450-500 kg (992-1,102 lbs) of milk per 220 to 240-day lactation.  However, compared to other breeds, their milk has a lower fat and protein content, a disadvantage when making cheese.

The East Friesian has a high level of prolificacy. The Spooner Research Center in Wisconsin reported an average prolificacy of 200 and 230 percent, respectively, for 12-month old and mature East Friesian ewes.  Though , they are seasonal in their breeding habits.

	East Friesian ram (L) and ewes (R)
Images courtesy of Canadian Sheep Breeders Association

Due to their high level of milk production and fecundity, the East Friesian is a very efficient lamb producer. Though not known for their carcass conformation, they produce growthy lambs with desirable carcass traits when crossed with terminal sire breeds such as Suffolk or Texel.

Like most breeds with outstanding reproductive qualities, East Friesians are probably best-utilized in a crossbreeding program. Crossbreeding with the East Friesian will improve milk production substantially. For example, 1, 2, and 3-year old Dorset x East Friesian ewes at the Spooner Station lactated 30 to 40 days longer than Dorset-type ewes and produced more than twice as much milk. 

East Friesians are considered to be a high maintenance breed. They do not usually perform well in extensive pasture systems or in harsh climates.  Consequently, they are often crossed with local breeds to improve hardiness and adaptability. 

In Israel, the East Friesian was crossed with the Awassi to create the Assaf breed.  In Canada, they were used in the development of the highly-productive Rideau Arcott. In Wisconsin, it has become common to cross the East Friesian with the Lacaune, a hardier French dairy sheep.

East Friesians are a polled, whiteface sheep, with pink noses and pale hooves.  Their heads and legs are free from wool.  Their wool is coarse, 29-33  microns.  The breed’s most unique physical feature is its “rat” tail:  long, thin, and free from wool.  It is not usually necessary to dock East Friesian lambs.

East Friesians were introduced to North America in the 1990’s.  They are the most popular breed in the fledgling U.S. dairy sheep industry. They are a docile breed that adapts well to intensive parlor milking systems.

Sources:  Oklahoma State University Breeds of Livestock; and Breeds of Sheep for Commercial Milk production (Yves Berger, University of Wisconsin).

Ewe and doe management webinar series

A series of weekly webinars has been scheduled to help small ruminant producers manage ewes and does from late gestation through weaning.

Jan 13 - Late gestation     (pre-register online)
Jan 20 - Vaccinations     (pre-register online)
Feb 3 - Parturition    (pre-register online)
Feb 10 - Neonatal care     (pre-register online)
Feb 17 – Lactation    (pre-register online)
Feb 24 - Weaning    (pre-register online)

All of the webinars will be held on Thursday evenings, beginning at 7 p.m.  They will last for approximately one hour.  The primary (but not only) instructor will be Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland Extension Sheep & Goat Specialist.

Pre-registration is requested by noon the day of the webinar. To pre-register for one or more of the webinars, use the links above or contact Pam Thomas at pthomas@umd.edu or (301) 432-2767 ext. 315. Participants will be given instructions on how to participate in the webinars.

A webinar is an online conference. Each person sits at his or her own computer and is connected to other participants, including the speaker, via the internet. High speed access is recommended, but not required. There is some audience interaction in webinars.

What's new in the world of worms?

Moxidectin use in goats: oral vs. injectable

by the Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control (www.wormx.org)

Moxidectin (Cydectin®) is not FDA-approved for use in goats; therefore, there are no established withdrawal times (WDT) for meat and milk. 

FARAD, a national USDA-sponsored cooperative project whose primary mission is to prevent or mitigate illegal residues of drugs, pesticides, and other chemicals in foods of animal origins, makes recommendations for extra-label drug use in food animal and these regulations serve as the defacto WDT guidelines that should be followed. 

Recently, FARAD came out with a 120-130 day recommended WDT for meat following use of injectable moxidectin.  The WDT for the oral route is 23 days. Without data specifically demonstrating that the injectable provides superior efficacy, the Southern Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control decided it best to withdrawal their recommendation for using injectable moxidectin.

Although the blood level data indicates injectable may be the preferred route, whether or not this translates to better efficacy depends on the amount of drug actually getting into the worm. It makes sense that it would since Haemonchus feeds on blood, but it is possible that the oral route might still be better if high levels of the drug are getting into the worm via direct contact in the stomach.

The University of Georgia had planned to do a study (in 2010 to compare the efficacy of the oral and injectable routes, but not a single farm in Georgia could be found with moxidectin susceptible worms.  Without clinical proof, the SCSRPC feels that it is better to stick with the oral route (if the worms are susceptible) since this route has a reasonable withdrawal time of 23 days. 

Furthermore, it is important to only use products that are designed for oral administration.  Thus, only the sheep oral drench product should be used; the pour-on form for cattle (given orally) should not be used, and is not allowed under extra-label drug use law.

Editor’s note:  It goes without saying that only the oral sheep drench product should be administered to sheep.  The pour-on (given orally) or injectable moxidectin (given orally) products are not allowed under extra-label drug use law.

CARLA® Saliva Test

Source:  AgResearch (www.carlasalivatest.co.nz)

Editor’s note:  Before the test is released outside of New Zealand, validation trials in other major sheep raising environments, including the U.S., will be done. Planned discussions with a Veterinary Diagnostic Company in the U.S. may eventually lead to the test being available to U.S. producers.

Two new sheep drenches in pipeline

Until last year, the last new anthelmintic (dewormer) class that was introduced to the market was macrocylic lactones (i.e. Ivomec) by Merck in 1981. But since last year, two new sheep drenches have entered the pipeline:  Zolvix® and Startect®.

Zolvix® (monepantel) was released by Novartis last fall in New Zealand. It is now available to producers in Australia, Europe, and South America. Startect® (derquantel + abamectin) was recently released by Pfizer. Currently, it is available only in New Zealand.

Both new sheep drenches represent new anthelmintic classes. They have different modes of action than current anthelmintics. Consequently, they are effective against worms that are resistant to other classes and combinations of anthelmintics.

When (and if) these anthelmintics become available in the United States is anyone's best guess. It is often too expensive for the drug companies to get approvals for drugs that have limited market potential. 

Perhaps, the Minor Use/Minor Species Act will facilitate the approval of these two new drenches for U.S. producers. The purpose of the act is to find innovative ways to bring products for small populations to market and is designed to help pharmaceutical companies overcome the financial roadblocks they face in providing limited-demand animal drugs.

www.zolvix.com
www.startect.co.nz

Scrapie eradication is in sight!

Scrapie eradication is in sight, and producers are the key to finding the last cases. There are three ways that sheep and goat producers can lead in the fight against scrapie:

1. Correctly identify sheep and goats.
   The Scrapie Eradication Program is a mandatory program which requires sheep and goat producers, dealers, markets, and slaughter plants to officially identify certain sheep and goats. Most sheep and goats must be officially identified prior to selling them or transporting them from their place of birth. To get your free official ear tags (and an applicator), call 866-USDA-TAG.
   
   

2. Protect your flock or herd.
   There are several precautions that producers can take to minimize the risk of getting scrapie in their flock or herd:  1) Close the herd to female additions; 2) Use RR rams; 3) Remove placentas and bedding soiled by birth fluids from birthing areas right away and thoroughly clean birthing areas; 4) Buy sheep and goats from flocks that have reached the certified level of the National Scrapie Flock Certification Program; and 5) Quarantine all new animals to observe for any signs of scrapie.
   
   
3. Report suspect sheep and goats.
   If any signs of scrapie are noticed in a sheep or goat over 18 months of age that continue for several weeks or if a mature sheep or goat dies after showing some signs, report it to your veterinarian, state veterinarian, or USDA's Veterinary Services at (866) 873-2824.
   

Recognize the signs
Scrapie is a degenerative and eventually fatal brain disease of sheep and goats. It is in the same class of diseases as BSE in cattle and Chronic Wasting Disease in elk and deer. Transmission of the disease occurs primarily from an infected dam to her offspring and other lambs or kids exposed to the birth fluids, placenta, or bedding soiled by the birth fluids.

Scrapie can be a tough disease to diagnose, and it can take several years for an infected sheep or goat to show signs, which include:

• Subtle changes in behavior or temperament;
• Intense frequent rubbing against fixed objects to relieve itching;
• Gait abnormalities such as incoordination, stumbling, high stepping of forelegs, hopping like a rabbit, and swaying of the back end;
• Weight loss despite displaying a “normal” appetite;
• Weakness such as difficulty getting up or falling down;
• Biting at feet and legs;
• Lip smacking;
• Normal behavior at rest, but if stimulated by sudden noises or excessive movement, the animal may tremble or fall down.

After the onset of clinical signs, death occurs within a few weeks to several months.

Source: Scrapie Eradication is in Sight:  You are the key to finding the last cases!, American Sheep Industry Association and USDA-APHIS, 2010.

Scrapie links =>

Accidental discovery of a new test for scrapie

Scientists at Iowa State University have discovered a way to detect scrapie in sheep using fluorescence spectroscopy. The eyes of sheep infected with scrapie return an intense, almost-white glow when they're illuminated with blue excitation light, says Jacob Petrich.

The accidental discovery occurred while Petrich and his collaborators were developing a fluorescence spectroscopy device used in slaughterhouses to test livestock carcasses for possible E. coli contamination.

The findings suggest technologies and techniques can be developed to quickly and non-invasively test for transmissible spongiform encephalopathies. Petrich, in fact, is working to develop a testing device.

Petrich and a team of researchers began studying the feasibility of a fluorescence test. The researchers collected 140 eyeballs from 73 sheep. Thirty five of those sheep were infected with scrapie; 38 were not. The researchers took fluorescence readings from various parts of the eyes of all the sheep. "The bottom line is the scrapie-positive retinas fluoresced like crazy," Petrich said. "And the scrapie-negative ones did not.”

A previously published study reported that the function and structure of retinas are altered in cattle infected with transmissible mink encephalopathy. Other studies have reported that lipofuscin, an intracellular fluorescent pigment, accumulates in the eyes of animals infected with neurological diseases.

Source:  OptoIQ.com

New spreadsheet for evaluating meat goat rations

An Excel spreadsheet that allows the user to evaluate feed rations for meat goats has been developed by Susan Schoenian, University of Maryland Extension Sheep & Goat Specialist. The spreadsheet incorporates the latest nutrient requirements for goats. 

Nutrient Requirements of Small Ruminants was published in 2007 by the National Research Council.  In the book, nutrient requirements are delineated by type and size (weight) of goat, with separate tables for dairy, meat, and fiber goats.

Among meat goats, there are different requirement tables for Boer (i.e. improved meat goat breeds) and local indigenous breeds.  There are also different requirement tables for females and wethers vs. intact males.

The new spreadsheet can be downloaded from www.sheepandgoat.com/spreadsheets.html. A CD-ROM copy of the spreadsheet is also available. Contact Susan Schoenian or Pam Thomas at (301) 432-2767 x343 or x315. A similar spreadsheet is being developed for dairy goats. An updated spreadsheet is being developed for sheep.

http://www.sheepandgoat.com/spreadsheets/UMEMeatGoatRationEvaluator2011.xlsx (for Mozilla and Chrome)
http://www.sheepandgoat.com/spreadsheets/UMEMeatGoatRationEvaluator2011b.xls (for MS Explorer)

2011 Maryland-Delaware Sheep Shearing School

There will be a Shearing School for Beginners on Friday and Saturday, March 18-19, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Ridgely Thompson Farm at 1942 Uniontown Road, Westminster, MD 21157.

The registration fee is $80 per person and includes a copy of ASI's Sheep Shearing Notebook and an instructional DVD. Pre-registration is required. No registrations will be accepted after March 14. Participation is limited to the first 25. The minimum age is 16.

The New Zealand method of shearing will be taught. Shearing machines will be provided.  Blade shearing will not be taught. Instructors are David Greene, Dr. Richard Barczewski, and Aaron Geiman.

The schools are sponsored by University of Maryland and Delaware Extension, the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association, and the Delaware Sheep and Wool Producers Association.

Checks should be made payable to the Carroll County Extension Advisory Council and mailed to David L. Greene, 2014 White Hall Road, White Hall, MD  21161-9712.

Western Maryland Goat Field Day & Sale

(L-R) Don Smith and Jeanne Dietz-Band Image by Jeff Semler

Five year consigners recognized

Two consignors to the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test were awarded plaques for having consigned bucks to each of the first five years of the test, 2006-2010.

Jeanne Dietz-Band  from Many Rocks Farm  in Keedysville received a plaque.  Jeanne had the top-performing buck in the 2006 test. Don Smith from Charlottesville, Virginia was also awarded a plaque.  Don had the top-performing buck in the 2007 test.

The Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test would not be possible without the support of consignors such as Jeanne and Don.  Congratulations to both of them.

Carcass cutting demonstration

Dr. Paul Kuber

While youth participated in a skillathon and top bucks from the meat goat test went on the silent auction block, Dr. Paul Kuber, a research animal scientist from The Ohio State University showed field day participants how to process a goat carcass and prepare dishes featuring chevon.

Kuber told producers they should eat their own product before marketing meat to consumers.  He said that marketing goat meat and processing goats into cuts is all new territory. While some ethnic groups prefer their goat meat processed into chunks with no concern for different cuts, traditional markets may be the next step for the goat industry, according to Kuber.

Participants sampled the goat meat prepared by Dr. Kuber.  It was delicious.

Special thanks to Merritt Burke from Delaware for providing a goat for the demonstration.

Another cutting demonstration during Delaware Ag Week

Dr. Paul Kuber will be giving a similar goat carcass cutting demonstration during Delaware Ag Week.  The demonstration will be held Tuesday, January 18, 2011,  in the Exhibition Hall Board Room at the Delaware State Fairgrounds in Harrington, Delaware. 

For more information, contact Dr. Dahlia O’Brien at (302) 857-6490 or djjackson@desu.edu or visit the Delaware Ag Week web site at http://rec.udel.edu/agweek/home.htm.

Carcass evaluation

One of the goals of the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test is to evaluate and compare carcass characteristics of meat goats consuming a pasture-only diet.  This year, ten bucks from ten different consignors were selected for harvest and deboning at LambCo LLC, a USDA/custom-inspected abattoir in New Windsor, Maryland.

The ten carcasses were very lean, with little visible fat.  Carcass yields were similar to those in last year’s carcass evaluation:  25.3 percent.  A yield of 25 percent means that 25 percent of the live goat’s weight is boneless, fat-free meat. Among the ten mostly Kiko goats, carcass yields ranged from 22.0. to 30.9 percent.  Dressing percentages were higher than last year(48.1 vs. 43.1 percent ), but this was because organs (lung, heart, and testicles) were left in the hanging carcasses.

Warren and Liz Barnes, consigners from Summersville, Missouri, had the goat with the best carcass (highest lean yield).  Their 72-lb Kiko buck had a lean meat yield of 30.9 percent, 5.3 percent above the group average. It had the largest rib eye at 1.8 square inches. The group average for rib eye area was 1.0 square inch.  The dressing percentage of the Barnes’ buck was an impressive 52.9 percent.  Its carcass looked very good.

You can read a full article about the carcass evaluation and see all the data at http://www.sheepandgoat.com/programs/GoatTest/2010/10carcassevaluation.html. 

Next year, we plan to feed a separate group  of goats (full or half-sibs to the bucks on test) so we can compare the carcasses from pasture vs. pen-fed  goats.

2011 Goat Test

The Western Maryland Pasture Based Meat Goat Performance Test was initiated in 2006 at the University of Maryland’s Western Maryland Research & Education Center. The purpose of  the test is to evaluate the post-weaning performance of bucklings  managed in a pasture environment with no supplemental feed.

The test is open to male goats of any breed or breed cross, with or without registration eligibility.  For the 2011 test, bucks (or wethers) must be born between December 15, 2010, and March 20, 2011, and weigh between 35 and 70  lbs. upon delivery to the test site on June 4 or 5. 

Goat breeders from any state may consign up to five goats to the test. In fact, five is recommended. The annual nomination period is April 1 through May 15. The testing fee is $85 per goat. A $20 deposit is due at the time of nomination.

Bucks  meeting Gold, Silver, and Bronze standards of performance for growth and parasite resistance and resilience and minimum standards for reproductive soundness and structural correctness will be eligible to sell via public auction.  Does may also be consigned to the sale.

The Annual Western Maryland Goat Field Day, Sale, and Junior Goat Skillathon will be held on either Saturday, September 24 or Saturday, October 1 at the Washington County Agricultural Education Center near Boonsboro, Maryland. There is currently a scheduling conflict, so please hold both dates.

For more information about the goat test, visit the blog at http://mdgoattest.blogspot.com.

Junior Goat Skillathon

Twenty-eight youth from Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina competed in the 2nd Junior Goat Skillathon, held in conjunction with the annual Western Maryland Goat Field Day &  Sale.

The goat skillathon tests youth on all aspects of goat production:  meat, dairy, and fiber.  In this year’s skillathon, there were five stations (Feed/forage ID, Equipment ID, Breed ID, Body Parts, and Potluck), a judging class (Kiko bucklings from the goat test), and a written test.

Junior winners

1. Jacqaline Ware (West Virginia)
2. Cameron Lafervere (West Virginia)
3. Danielle  Flinn (Maryland)

(L-R) Jacqaline Ware, Cameron Lafervere, and Danielle Flinn (image by Jeff Semler)

Intermediate winners

1. Kendell Williams (Virginia)
2. Carlie Ryman (West Virginia)
3. Maggie Goodmuth (Maryland)

(L-R) Kendell Williams, Carlie Ryman, and Maggie Goodmuth (image by Jeff Semler)

Senior winners

1. Victoria Crabtree (North Carolina)
2. Matt Kerner (Maryland)
3. Marisa Linton (North Carolina)

(L-R) Victoria Crabtree, Matt Kerner, and Marisa Linton (image by Jeff Semler)

Congratulations to all the winners and thanks to Mary Beth Bennett, David Gordon, Shannon Uzelac, and Chris Anderson (and others) for helping with the Skillathon.

Junior Goat Skillathon @ Western Maryland Goat Field Day

Christmas and Goats

Goats figure prominently in many “Christmas” traditions.  The Yule goat (Julbock) is one of the oldest Scandinavian and Northern European Christmas symbols and traditions. 

Its origins might go as far back as pre-Christian days when goats were connected to the Norse god Thor, who rode through the sky in a chariot drawn by two goats:  Tanngrisnir (“Gap-tooth”) and Tanngnjóstr (“Tooth-grinder”).  Thor frequently slaughtered and ate Tanngrisnir and Tanngnjóstr, knowing they’d be returned to life the following morning.

According to one interpretation of the Santa Claus myth, Santa’s sleigh was probably meant to be pulled by goats, but since goats tended to be associated with the Christian devil, the job was given to reindeer instead.  Pre-Christian religions honored goats during the winter season because they provided meat and milk during the most difficult times of the year.

The function of the Yule goat differed throughout the ages, from an ugly creature that frightened children and demanded gifts at Christmas to a man disguised as a goat who went from house-to-house entertaining families with song and dance.  Another tradition is that children (one disguised as a goat) would go from house to house to perform small plays or sing Yule goat songs. 

During the 18th century, the Yule goat began to be replaced by Santa Claus. But in Scandinavia, the Yule goat was never forgotten.  People started making Yule goats out of straw and wrapping red ribbons around them.  They used them to decorate their houses during Christmas time, as a reminder of the old days when the Yule goat visited their homes.

Nowadays, Yule goats are often placed under the Christmas tree or hung as Christmas ornaments.  A star at the top of the Christmas tree and the Yule goat under the tree represents the struggle between good and evil. In older Scandinavian society, a popular prank was to place the Yule Goat in a neighbor's house without them noticing.  The family successfully pranked had to get rid of it in the same way.

Large versions of the Yule goat are frequently erected in towns and cities around Christmas time.  These goats tend to be illegally set on fire before Christmas. The Gävle goat was the first of these goats and remains the most famous. In fact, there is a web site for it:  www.christmasgoat.se and you can view the famous straw goat via a web cam.

Source:  Wikipedia and Associated Content

Dijon Rack of Lamb

Ingredients
2 American Racks Of Lamb
6 oz Dijon Mustard
2 Cups Italian Bread Crumbs
Salt and Pepper to Taste
Fresh Parsley

Preparation
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.Cut the racks in half, making four rib servings. Spread the Dijon mustard evenly over the top of the lamb. Season with the salt and pepper. Roast in the oven at 350 degrees until medium rare (interior meat temperature of 150 degrees). Remove from the oven and pat breadcrumbs into the mustard. Return to the oven and place under the broiler until browned. Garnish with fresh‐snipped parsley and serve immediately.

Source: Superior Farms

Calendar of Events

January 13
Ewe and doe management webinar - Late Gestation
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.

January 14-15
Future Harvest CASA Annual Conference
Pearlstone Center and Kayam Farm, Reicesterstown, Maryland
Info: www.futureharvestcasa.org or (410) 549-7878

January 15
Virginia Shepherd’s Symposium
Augusta County Government Center, Verona, Virginia
Info:  Scott Greiner at (540) 231-9164 or sgreiner@vt.edu

January 15
Kentucky Small Ruminant Grazing Conference
Hardin County Extension Office, E-Town, Kentucky
Info: http://www.uky.edu/Ag/Forage/Small%20Ruminant%20Grazing%20Conference%202011.pdf

January 18
Delaware Ag Week:  Small Ruminant Session (goat carcass cutting demo)
Exhibition Hall Board Room, Delaware State Fairgrounds, Harrington, Delaware
Info: http://rec.udel.edu/agweek/home.htm

January 19-22
American Sheep Industry Association Annual Convention
John Ascuaga’s Nugget, Reno, Nevada
Info: www.sheepusa.org

January 20
Tri-State Hay & Pasture Conference
Salisbury Fire Hall, Salisbury, Pennsylvania
Info: Garrett County Extension Office at (301) 334-6960 or Les Vough at vough@umd.edu.

January 20
Ewe and doe management webinar - Vaccinations
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.

January 27
Care of the lacating ewe/doe
Washington County Extension Office, Boonsboro, Maryland
Info: Jeff Semler at (301) 791-1304 or jsemler@umd.edu.

February 2-5
PASA 20th Annual Farming for the Future Conference
Penn Stater Conference Center, State College, Pennsylvania
Info:  www.pasa-farming.org

February 3
Ewe and doe management webinar - Parturition
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.

February 10
2011 Ewe and doe management webinar - Neonatal care
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.

February 17
Ewe and doe management webinar - Lactation
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.

February 24
Ewe and doe management webinar - Weaning
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.

March 18-19
Maryland-Delaware Sheep Shearing School for Beginners
Ridgely Thompson Farm, Westminster, Maryland
Info: David Greene at greelamb@gmail.com.

May 8
Junior Sheep & Wool Skillathon @ Maryland Sheep & Wool Festival
Howard County Fairgrounds, West Friendship, Maryland
Info:  Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu

September 24 or October 1 (scheduling conflict has not been resolved yet)
Western Maryland Goat Day (field day, sale, and junior skillathon)
Washington County Agricultural Education Center, Boonsboro, Maryland
Info: Susan Schoenian at (301) 432-2767 x343 or sschoen@umd.edu.

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Inside this issue ...

• Top buck brings $1400
• Shepherd of the Year
• From start to finish
• Johne's disease Q & A
• Do your sheep
  have footrot?
• New and innovative
  uses of wool
• The last month
• Featured breed:
  East Friesian
• Webinar series
• Moxidectin use in goats
• CARLA® saliva test
• Two new drenches
• Scrapie eradication
• New test for scrapie
• New spreadsheet for
  meat goat rations
• Junior Goat Skillathon
• Christmas and Goats
• Rack of lamb recipe
• Calendar of Events
  
  Last issue
  Previous issues
  
  

Contact Us ...

• SUSAN SCHOENIAN
  
• Dr. E. Nelson Escobar
• Dr. Dahlia O'Brien
• Willie Lantz
• Jeff Semler
• David Gordon
• Chris Anderson
• Erroll Mattox
• Pam Thomas

SUGGESTED LINKS ...

MD Small Ruminant Page
Shepherd's Notebook Blog
Meat Goat Test Blog
SheepGoatMarketing.info
Sheep 101 | Sheep 201
Flickr™ sheep, goat images
Univ. of Maryland Extension
MD Sheep & Wool Festival
MPWV Meat Goat Assoc.
MD Dairy Goat Assoc.
Maryland State Fair
MD Dept. of Agriculture
MarylandAgriculture.info
MD Ag Marketing
MD Rural Enterprise
U. Maine Sheep Foot Health
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