Selecting the Optimal Sheep for Solar Grazing

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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…

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Why you should NOT use lye as a dewormer

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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…

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Genetic Approaches to Parasite Control

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Sheep GEMS News Brief 12 – March 2025 In the last Sheep GEMS news brief, we talked about the impact of parasites on production, and it was eluded that genetic selection can be a very promising means to manage worm parasites. Continuing with the Sheep GEMS theme of breeding for climatic resilience and robustness across environments, parasite resistant sheep express improved fitness. Determining fecal egg counts (FEC) at the time of weaning and post-weaning is a measure of parasite resistance already included in the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). Collaboration with the GEMS innovation flocks and 3 USDA ARS facilities…

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How do Parasites Affect Production?

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Sheep GEMS News Brief 11 – Late February 2025 Gastrointestinal parasites are one of the main health concerns for grazing sheep because available dewormers are largely ineffective due to dewormer resistance. Parasitic worms are a year-round problem in tropical and sub-tropical environments affecting millions of small ruminants world-wide. However, resistance to multiple deworming drugs is common in small ruminants. Infection with gastrointestinal nematode parasites can cause reduced weight gains, fertility, fiber and milk production, as well as cause anemia, diarrhea, and death. The most pathogenic worm species is barber pole worm or Haemonchus contortus is a blood sucker and can…

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Efficacy of a Novel Herbal Dewormer on Katahdin Lambs

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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…

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A Tribute to Dr. Charles Parker, Mentor and Friend

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Dr. Charles Parker (1935-2024) was a sheep specialist, researcher, industry leader and experienced advisor to many of us in the Katahdin breed. As an early supporter of the breed, Charles felt that Katahdins could and should be the Complete Meat Sheep, genetically balanced for reproductive and growth efficiency and easily adapted to diverse production systems. Following his death in July 2024 we decided to compile some of his advice and guidance over the years to share with others. In collaboration with the Piel Farm, Heifer Project and some of the early Katahdin breeders, Charles was instrumental in the development of…

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Buying Parasite Resistance: considerations for greater success

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Often producers interested in adding genetics for parasite resistance to their flock are faced with deciphering the fecal egg count (FEC) EBVs listed on a stall card or catalog at an auction (online or in person). Is that enough information to identify a parasite resistant animal? In my experience, no. Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) provide a wonderful tool to predict animal performance, but when it comes to parasite resistance, the stated EBV often doesn't provide the whole answer. More than other traits, FEC EBVs can be subject to some pretty big changes over time. Partly that's because there is such…

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Meningeal Worm

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Meningeal worm (Parelaphostrongylus tenuis), also known as deer worm or brain worm, is a parasite of white tail deer that typically causes disease in sheep in the late summer and fall. In deer, the adult P. tenuis worms live on the membranes covering their brains, the meninges. In most deer there is no adverse effect from the parasites. Female worms lay eggs on the meningeal membranes, they hatch, the larvae migrate into the bloodstream and travel to the lungs. Here larvae are coughed up and swallowed, passing through the intestinal tract and larvae are excreted with the deer manure. These…

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Grazing Native Warm-Season Grasses: SARE Grant Update

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In my career with USDA-NRCS I've been fortunate to see a lot of different production methods involving a variety of livestock operations across North Carolina. Beginning in 2016, I began working with more producers that had established or wanted to establish native warm-season grasses (NWSGs) in their pasture operations. Those producers mainly worked with beef cattle. These work experiences led me to want to do the same thing on our small 20-acre farm in North Carolina. However, I wanted to do something different by using sheep. Study Design My proposed theory was that I could use NWSGs to lower feed…

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Scours: Causes, Treatment, and Prevention

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Scours or diarrhea is something that most of us probably see in our flocks over the course of a year. Animals scour whenever there is a disturbance in the normal processes that regulate how much fluid is excreted in their manure. Scours is a symptom, sometimes due to a serious disease that requires prompt treatment, but often diet induced and transient, requiring only tincture of time to resolve. Diet plays a large role in manure consistency; expect looser manure for a few days whenever there is an increase in protein and/or energy or a decrease in fiber in their diets.…

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