Preparing for the Storm

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:6 mins read

  • Loading

As many are aware, and many experienced, extreme weather devastated the southeast region last fall. These storms caused significant loss of life and billions of dollars in damages. As we reflect on these losses and look ahead to future extreme weather events, we need to consider the resiliency of our operations. Some questions that I have pondered over the last few months include; how reliant is a flock on outside resources? How adapted are livestock to their environment? If you were shut off from the world for a week, would you and your flock survive? What about for two weeks?…

Continue ReadingPreparing for the Storm

Genetic Aspects of Udder Health

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:4 mins read

  • Loading

Sheep GEMS News Brief 10 – February 2025 In the last Sheep GEMS news brief, we presented the economics of subclinical mastitis in meat and wool ewes. Despite the major production impact that subclinical mastitis poses, the only way to diagnose it involves collecting and testing milk from every ewe. Take it from the guy who has milked the rankest Rambouillet and most cantankerous Katahdin ewes, you don’t want to go down that road! So, we’re at a bit of an impasse; we have a disease that costs us money, but we don’t know which ewes have it. How can…

Continue ReadingGenetic Aspects of Udder Health

Economic Impacts of Udder Diseases

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:4 mins read

  • Loading

Sheep GEMS News Brief 9 – January 2025 A nationwide survey conducted in 2011 by the USDA APHIS estimated that 14% of U.S. ewes (402,000 head) are culled each year. Of ewes culled, 56% are removed for old age. Culling for age is a good thing as these ewes have been productive for years, but we have limited resources and need to make room for younger, genetically superior females. The flip side is that 44% of cull ewes leave the flock early, which is not a good thing. The most common reasons for culling ewes prematurely are failure to lamb…

Continue ReadingEconomic Impacts of Udder Diseases

Efficacy of a Novel Herbal Dewormer on Katahdin Lambs

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:14 mins read

  • Loading

Introduction: Most shepherds are familiar with the need to deworm their sheep and the added stresses that go along with it. Over time, the Barber Pole Worm and other economically devastating parasites have become more resistant to conventional dewormers, creating a quickly growing need for alternative deworming practices. An effective herbal dewormer could be a solution available to sheep farmers, especially those using organic practices. During the summer of 2022, for our senior capstone study at the University of Maine, we tested the novel herbal dewormer Early Bird to evaluate whether it was an effective option. Early Bird is a…

Continue ReadingEfficacy of a Novel Herbal Dewormer on Katahdin Lambs

Using genotypes to reduce susceptibility to Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP)

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:5 mins read

  • Loading

Sheep GEMS News Brief 5 – late-August 2024 In the U.S., the disease Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP) causes extensive welfare and financial losses due to decreased ewe productivity of about 20% and eventual culling or death of breeding stock. Surveys of U.S. sheep have shown that 36% of sheep operations have infected animals and 24% of all animals tested were seropositive. Once infected, sheep remain infected for life, and there is no effective treatment or vaccine. Sheep producers can eradicate OPP from a flock in two ways. First, is by serological testing and removing all infected sheep with the obvious…

Continue ReadingUsing genotypes to reduce susceptibility to Ovine Progressive Pneumonia (OPP)

Biosecurity Testing

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:43 mins read

  • Loading

Sheep can be affected by infectious diseases that affect the productivity of your flock. Some diseases can only be transmitted by close contact between sheep, as the organisms responsible only survive in the environment for a short time. Other diseases can be spread via people, vehicles, birds, insects and wildlife, as the organisms responsible can survive in the environment for extended periods of time. It is easier to keep diseases that are spread directly from one sheep to another out of your flock: Make sure that your animals stay confined to your property Keep other sheep fenced out of your…

Continue ReadingBiosecurity Testing

Three Common Genetic Defects to Look for when Buying or Selling Sheep

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:4 mins read

  • Loading

As the 4th Annual EAPK sale approaches, we’re expecting some very high quality Katahdins available for purchase in our unique sale format.  This hybrid sale gives eligible consignors the option to either physically bring their animals to the EAPK Symposium & Sale or consign them to the online sale only.  Buyers attending the EAPK Symposium will have an advantage in that they will have the opportunity to talk to the breeder and inspect the animals they’re interested in purchasing.  Because some breeders may be unable to attend, they will still have the option of consigning animals to the online auction…

Continue ReadingThree Common Genetic Defects to Look for when Buying or Selling Sheep

Prepubic Tendon Rupture

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:7 mins read

  • Loading

Pregnant ewes experience a tremendous strain on their abdominal muscles and tendons as their lambs grow, especially during the last few weeks of pregnancy. The abdominal muscles and tendons are attached to the ribcage, vertebrae and pelvis (grey lines in picture) with the muscles and tendons forming a hammock (pink) that supports the abdominal organs. As the lambs grow, this hammock stretches and gets thinner and is under more pressure. The prepubic tendon (red X in the picture) is made up of the tendons of multiple abdominal muscles and attaches along the lower rim of the pelvis, just above the…

Continue ReadingPrepubic Tendon Rupture

Orphan Lamb Considerations

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:13 mins read

  • Loading

Sooner or later, nearly every shepherd has a lamb that needs to be supplemented. Whether it's a rejected lamb, one whose dam has died, or simply a lamb whose dam has insufficient milk, identifying these lambs early and getting them off to a good start is essential. Other lambs at special risk include twins out of yearling dams, triplets or quads, and lambs whose dams have or have had mastitis. Start by ensuring they receive adequate colostrum at birth and then supplement with a good quality milk replacer through weaning. It's best, when possible, for a lamb to be raised…

Continue ReadingOrphan Lamb Considerations

Ruminations on Lambing Season

  • Post author:
  • Reading time:23 mins read

  • Loading

Lambing season encompasses the last few weeks of gestation through lambing and early lactation. There are a lot of preventable problems that can arise during this season and derail 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 2021-2023. Preparation for lambing Nutrition and exercise Make sure that you are providing adequate nutrition and exercise for your…

Continue ReadingRuminations on Lambing Season