Small Ruminant Fencing and Facilities

Author: Emma Lee

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

The number of small ruminant producers has been increasing recently in Estill County. I have gotten many calls from new farmers looking for where to start and what they need to do to be successful. On September 24th at 6:00 pm, I had Kelley Yates from the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office come to speak to producers about small ruminant fencing and facilities. There were 12 farmers in attendance who actively participated and asked questions. Kelley was able to give them the guidance they

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Strengthening Small Ruminant Herds in Eastern Kentucky

Author: Rebecca Konopka

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Describe the Issue or Situation.    According to the 2022 Census of Agriculture Carter County has over 1,200 head of sheep and goats.    Sheep and goat producers are always invited to attend our Northeast Area Livestock Association meetings, however, there was a need for specialized information for those small ruminant producers.   The Carter County ANR Agent has offered at least two small ruminant specific programs per year over the past two years.   &nbs

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Goat Getters- Tri-state Homesteading Conference

Author: Regina Utz

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

On October 26th, the Agriculture and Natural Resources agent taught a group of producers from Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio about raising sheep and goats. With 24 participants in the class, we talked about raising sheep and goats. People were interested in learning about parasites, treatments for parasites, facilities and fencing, etc. There were many questions asked, and follow-up needed. Since teaching that class I have had multiple people reach out with questions furthering what they learned fr

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Small Ruminant School

Author: Corinne Belton

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Small farm numbers in Shelby County continue to rapidly increase.  The county has seen steady growth in land ownership in the 1-49 acre range with landowners looking for innovative ways to increase income on small acreage tracts.  Sheep and goat farms are one of the fastest growing segments here, with Shelby County jumping from a #12 ranking in Kentucky sheep production in 2012 to #9 in 2017 and #4 in 2022 with a 12% increase in number of farms raising small ruminants.  Due to thi

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Building Better Flocks: Small Ruminant Bootcamp

Author: Taylor Graves

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Over 40 small ruminant producers gathered for the Small Ruminant Boot Camp, an educational event hosted collaboratively by the Washington, Nelson, and Marion County Cooperative Extension offices and the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office. This event provided producers—both new and experienced—with invaluable hands-on training in core small ruminant management practices, including body condition scoring, FAMACHA eye scoring, and lambing and kidding basics.Kentucky is home to m

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Small Ruminant Boot Camp Field Day Empowers Kentucky Producers

Author: Robert Smith

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Over 50 small ruminant producers gathered for the Small Ruminant Boot Camp, an educational event hosted collaboratively by the Washington, Nelson, and Marion County Cooperative Extension offices and the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office. This event provided producers—both new and experienced—with invaluable hands-on training in core small ruminant management practices, including body condition scoring, FAMACHA eye scoring, and lambing and kidding basics.Kentucky is home to m

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Lambing and Kidding Workshop

Author: Jonathan Oakes

Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals

Sheep and goat producers in Russell County and surrounding areas identified a need for more hands-on education related to successful lambing and kidding practices. Many producers, both new and experienced, sought updated knowledge on how to better prepare for and manage the birthing process to reduce losses and improve the health and survival of newborn animals.In response to this need, the Russell County Extension Office partnered with the Russell County Sheep & Goat Producers Association (

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