Reproductive Technologies for Genetic Improvement

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:6 mins read

  • Loading

Adoption of reproductive technologies (artificial insemination and embryo transfer) is commonplace in the dairy cattle industry, significant in the beef cattle industry, and is becoming more common in the show sheep industry. However, utilization of this technology has been limited in the production-oriented sheep sector. That said, potential exists for rapid genetic improvement and production of elite breeding stock may aid in offsetting added costs. These tools allow breeders to intensify selection for elite genetics and increase genetic turnover. Artificial insemination provides the opportunity for one ram to breed significantly more ewes than he could by natural service and breed…

Continue ReadingReproductive Technologies for Genetic Improvement

Ruminations on Lambing Season – Updated 2025

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:34 mins read

  • Loading

There are a lot of preventable problems that can arise during lambing season, derailing the health and productivity of your ewes and lamb crop. Below is a compilation of management tips to help keep your pregnant ewes healthy, get your lambs off to a good start and decrease the stress and workload for tired shepherds. These tips are compiled from EAPK blogs and newsletters published during 2021-2025. Preparation for lambing Nutrition and exercise Make sure that you are providing adequate nutrition and exercise for your ewe flock to ensure healthy ewes and lambs. Nutritional requirements Ewes have much higher nutritional…

Continue ReadingRuminations on Lambing Season – Updated 2025

Genotype Sampling Strategies: Why Pedigree Still Matters in the Genomic Era

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:4 mins read

  • Loading

Sheep GEMS News Brief 18 – September 2025 In last month’s news brief, we explored how genotyping strategies influence the accuracy of genomic predictions. That article emphasized the value of randomly genotyping animals within a flock to supportmore reliable genomically-enhanced estimated breeding values (GEBV), especially in the early stages of developing a reference population. As a reminder, a reference population is a large group of animals that have both performance and genotype information that is established in the early stages of genotyping in breed. In this follow-up article we focus on another critical factor that influences the success of genomic…

Continue ReadingGenotype Sampling Strategies: Why Pedigree Still Matters in the Genomic Era

Genotype Sampling Strategies: Choosing Who to Genotype

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:4 mins read

  • Loading

Sheep GEMS News Brief 17 – August 2025 Genomic selection is becoming an increasingly important tool for improving sheep genetics. By using DNA (genomic) information, producers can identify top-performing animals earlier and more accurately than using traditional methods. But when it comes to deciding which animals to genotype, the strategy used can make a big difference, especially if the goal is to maximize the accuracy of genomically-enhanced estimated breeding values (GEBV). In a recent study, we evaluated and compared thousands of possible genotyping scenarios. Among the scenarios we considered was to choose animals at random to genotype, or to select…

Continue ReadingGenotype Sampling Strategies: Choosing Who to Genotype

Let’s Make a Grazing Chart Together (Part 1)

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:13 mins read

  • Loading

I hope you enjoyed Troy Bishop’s EAPK monthly webinar on Grazing and Forage Planning. Don’t worry if you missed it, a recording is available at https://easternalliancekatahdins.com/monthly-webinars/ Troy discussed using grazing charts to track and manage your grazing throughout the year. If you are unfamiliar with it, it can be overwhelming imagining having all the information and predicting how your grazing will go when farming is such an unpredictable endeavor.  Think of a grazing chart for your pastures like starting NSIP or farm record keeping. Remember how overwhelming that seemed when you first started out? You started measuring, reviewing EBVs, planning…

Continue ReadingLet’s Make a Grazing Chart Together (Part 1)

Two Brothers: A Journey Through Changing EBVs

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:30 mins read

  • Loading

Let’s go on a journey with two Katahdin full sibling ram lambs and follow them as their EBVs change when their own performance is measured. Along the way I will do my best to explain why their EBVs changed at every step in the journey. We all know EBVs change, especially when you measure traits; hopefully looking at a case study helps you understand a bit better how and when EBVs can change. The data and dates used are real and the EBVs are real as returned by NSIP/LambPlan. The names have been changed to protect the innocent. We start…

Continue ReadingTwo Brothers: A Journey Through Changing EBVs

Selecting the Optimal Sheep for Solar Grazing

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:10 mins read

  • Loading

While this article focuses on solar grazing, the principles discussed are relevant to all low-input, grass-based production systems. This article was originally published in the August 2025 issue of the Sheep Industry News and is reposted with permission. The rise of agrivoltaics—where solar energy production coexists with agricultural practices—has created new opportunities for sheep producers across the United States. As solar developers seek sustainable vegetation management solutions, sheep have emerged as an ideal partner, offering cost-effective and environmentally favorable grazing services. However, success in this dual-purpose system depends on more than just turning sheep loose under panels.A balanced approach to…

Continue ReadingSelecting the Optimal Sheep for Solar Grazing

Producer Profile: Daniel Ulry, Ulry Farms, OH

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:9 mins read

  • Loading

Growing up in 4H, Daniel Ulry is a shepherd who has dabbled in many areas of the sheep industry. His experience spans three decades and many different management styles, as well as breeds of sheep. In the club lamb business, his family takes pride in a large meaty carcass with an eye appealing look for the show ring. Currently Dan has modified that traditional approach pairing it with data and EBVs to raise production oriented, easy keeping Katahdin sheep. He also runs a small herd of beef cattle that they graze with the sheep. Dan runs Ulry Farms in Eastern…

Continue ReadingProducer Profile: Daniel Ulry, Ulry Farms, OH

Why you should NOT use lye as a dewormer

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:6 mins read

  • Loading

There’s been some talk lately on social media about using lye to deworm livestock and you may be wondering if it works. As with so many things in life, if something sounds too easy or too good to be true, it is probably not a good idea. What is lye? Lye is a strong alkali (can be either sodium hydroxide or potassium hydroxide), having a high pH, that is highly corrosive. That means it can burn the skin or eyes upon contact. It is often used to make soap from oils or fats (such as goats milk). Protective gloves, safety…

Continue ReadingWhy you should NOT use lye as a dewormer

The potential of genomic selection for improving ewe longevity

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:4 mins read

  • Loading

Sheep GEMS News Brief 16 – July 2025 In a previous article, we highlighted the need for genetically improving the length of ewe productive life in U.S. sheep based on our studies in Katahdin sheep. Ewe longevity is an example of a trait that will benefit from genomic selection because it is sex limited (only females have records) and measured late in the life of the animals. Therefore, the Sheep GEMS team has conducted genomic studies to support the implementation of genomic selection to improve ewe longevity in U.S. sheep. Using records collected in the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP),…

Continue ReadingThe potential of genomic selection for improving ewe longevity