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Resources for Sheep & Goats

Title Available As Summary Date ID Author
Common Ticks of Virginia Jan 30, 2022 2906-1396 (ENTO-487NP)
Virginia 4-H Market Goat Project Junior Record Book Jan 24, 2023 4H-144P
Virginia 4-H Market Goat Project Senior Record Book Jan 24, 2023 4H-145P
Virginia 4-H Sheep Flock Project Junior Record Book Jan 24, 2023 4H-150P
Virginia 4-H Sheep Flock Project Senior Record Book Jan 24, 2023 4H-151P
Grass, Goats, and Uninvited Guests! Oct 21, 2022 4H-876P
Control, Treatment, and Elimination of Foot Rot from Sheep May 1, 2009 410-028
Sheep Management Schedule May 1, 2009 410-365
Sheep Grazing Management May 1, 2009 410-366
Feeding Sheep May 1, 2009 410-853
Fencing Materials For Livestock Systems May 1, 2009 442-131
Nutrient Management for Small Farms Dec 17, 2018 442-305 (BSE-241P)
Selecting and Siting Poultry and Livestock Manure Storage Structures on Farms
Manure storage is a critical part of a nutrient management plan in a livestock or poultry operation. It's essential to recognize manure as a valuable resource, rich in organic matter and nutrients that can be used as fertilizer or for energy production. While manure can accumulate rapidly, effective management is key to reducing the potential for odors, surface water, and groundwater contamination. This responsible environmental practice not only mitigates these risks but also allows for a strategic approach to managing and using manure. It provides livestock and poultry operations with the flexibility to schedule its use, maximizing the benefits of the resources it contains. Our publication offers guidelines and information for choosing the type of storage and setting them up for farming operations, emphasizing the importance of this responsibility.
Jul 24, 2024 442-307 (BSE-359P)
Poultry and Livestock Manure Storage: Management and Safety
Storing manure is a common practice on farms and for those who keep animals. However, a well-designed manure storage facility must also be well-managed to prevent environmental concerns from developing. In most cases, manure storages are used when cold weather, wet conditions, and/or a lack of time do not allow field application. To get the most benefit out of the manure, good management practices and observation of safety practices that minimize manure hazards on the farm are crucial. This publication provides guidelines that stress the importance of good management and safety practices for manure storage to inform the safety and security of a farming operation.
Jul 24, 2024 442-308 (BSE-360P)
Manure Management and Environmental Stewardship
If not managed properly, manure can negatively impact the environment. Therefore, regardless of size, all livestock and poultry operations must handle manure effectively for economic benefits and environmental protection. Media reports often highlight community conflicts arising from livestock and poultry odors, fish kills, and the pollution of surface or groundwater due to poor manure management. These issues have strained relationships between the public and animal agriculture and can be minimized responsibly by managing manure and other agricultural wastes. Effective manure management begins with recognizing its value as a nutrient source for crops and understanding its potential negative effects on air, water, and soil. This publication provides general guidelines for managing livestock and poultry manure. It includes a list of resources with detailed information on best practices for manure management and uses that contribute to good environmental stewardship.
Jul 25, 2024 442-309 (BSE-361P)
Starting a Small Scale Dairy (Part I): Raising a Healthy and Future Production Dairy Heifer Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-309NP
Starting a Small Scale Dairy (Part II): Small Scale Dairy with Cows or Goats Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-310NP
Starting a Small Scale Dairy (Part III): The Rest of the Story Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-311NP
Sheep and Goat Production Apr 20, 2023 ALCE-314NP
Eldon Farm's Graze 300 VA System Dec 16, 2022 ANR-290NP
Dewormer Resistance on Virginia Sheep Farms Dec 5, 2017 APSC-141NP
Influence of Breed and Supplementation on Consumer Ratings of Pasture-raised Ground Lamb Dec 11, 2017 APSC-142NP
Preparing for the breeding season in meat goats and hair sheep Feb 20, 2018 APSC-143NP
Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants: Part I. Biology of Reproduction Mar 1, 2020 APSC-157P
Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants Part II: Puberty and Estrous Cycles Mar 1, 2020 APSC-158P
Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants Part III. Breeding and Management Systems Mar 1, 2020 APSC-159P
Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants Part IV: Breed/Selection Mar 1, 2020 APSC-160P
Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants: Part V. Nutrition and Health Mar 1, 2020 APSC-164P
Enhancing Reproductive Performance in Small Ruminants: Part VI. Reproductive Management Techniques Mar 1, 2020 APSC-165P
Using Fecal Egg Counts On Your Farm Sep 17, 2019 APSC-166NP
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for the Use of Above Ground Burial to Manage Catastrophic Livestock Mortality in Non-Disease Situations Aug 4, 2021 APSC-178NP
Activity Lesson Plan for Proper Storage, Labeling, and Accounting for Medications
Purpose: To teach youth how to read a medication label so they are better able to understand how to store and administer medications for different livestock species.
Jun 23, 2021 APSC-99P (APSC-176P)
Asian Longhorned Tick and Theileria Orientalis Ikeda: Current Thoughts and Understandings
This project will be used to disseminate current thoughts and understand the invasive species of Asian Longhorned Tick (ALT) and the spread of Theileria. The Asian Longhorned Tick is a new invasive species that was first found in the US in 2017 and has since spread to 19 states from the Atlantic Coast to the Southeastern region of the US. The ALT is credited with the widespread of Theileria. Theileria is a blood protozoa parasite that has had a negative impact on cattle producers across the state. This article is what we currently understand about the ALT and the spread of Theileria.
Nov 30, 2023 APSC-196P
Ritual Slaughter: An Overview
This fact sheet is intended to introduce ritual slaughter, focusing customs from Islam and Judaism. This fact sheet will introduce individuals to backyard Halal or Kosher meat production.
Dec 10, 2024 APSC-204
Southwest Virginia Agricultural Research and Extension Center Jan 1, 2024 AREC-179NP (AREC-302NP)
Asian Longhorned Tick May 26, 2023 ENTO-282NP (ENTO-560NP)
Tall Fescue, Endophytes and Alkaloids, and Fescue Toxicosis
Fescue is the predominant forage in Virginia because of it is productive, high-quality forage across most of the state. However, the plant's positive agronomic traits are offset by toxins in the plant that cause significant reduction in animal performance and welfare. This article discusses fescue, the sources of toxins and their impacts, and provides some management strategies for addressing toxicosis.
Oct 16, 2024 SPES-114P (SPES-635P)
Catastrophic Livestock and Poultry Carcass Disposal Jun 5, 2019 SPES-138NP
On Farm Mortality Disposal Options for Livestock Producers Jun 3, 2019 SPES-139NP
Stockpile Grazing in Autumn Nov 2, 2023 SPES-29P
Using Grazing Charts
This is a Graze 300 Virginia video which is part of an Extension initiative to enable Virginia farmers to achieve 300 days of livestock grazing by facilitating better pasture management and environmental stewardship. In this video clip, Tim Mize, Extension Agent with Virginia Cooperative Extension, and Norman Bower, a cooperating farmer, share how a grazing chart can be a roadmap for communicating and planning a farm's grazing plan. For more information about Graze 300 VA and Virginia Cooperative Extension, please visit Graze 300. Funding for the video was generously provided by the Agua Fund to encourage sustainable resilient agriculture and the conservation of important natural resources.
Nov 2, 2023 SPES-30P
Temporary Electric Fencing for Small Ruminants with Tim Mize Nov 7, 2022 SPES-438NP
Tree Selection Guide for Mid-Atlantic Silvopastures
This guide provides key information for selecting trees suitable for silvopasture operations in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S. – states include Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia. This guide includes species native to North America with an emphasis on those native to Mid-Atlantic states. Only woody plants over 25 feet tall at maturity that are primarily single stemmed were considered. Both deciduous and evergreens are included.
Oct 11, 2024 SPES-476NP (SPES-615NP)
Managing the Spring Pasture Flush May 8, 2023 SPES-486P
VCE Ag Today: Small Ruminants Nov 10, 2021 VCE-1027-54NP