The National Institute of Food and Agriculture recognizes that modern farms and agriculture operations work far differently than those a few decades ago. While scientific and mechanical strides may be seen most prevalently on large commercial operations, smaller producers too benefit from technical advances.

On May 18, University of Kentucky (UK) and Kentucky State University (KYSU)Cooperative Extension partners joined forces with other agencies to offer a joint Agriculture Field Day in the rural Roundhill community of Edmonson County. With an emphasis on small scale animal production, segments were delivered on soil fertility, pasture and forage management, nutrition and handling equipment. 

KYSU unveiled its new "free to rent" small ruminant handling equipment that consists of corral panels, a scaled unit and a tilting head chute. Small Farm and ANR agents assisted the host farm sheep producer demonstrate use of this equipment to the 58 attendees. Designed to mitigate fatigue to the farmer while increasing safety, the chute also reduces stress to the animal and allows for expedient trimming of hooves and a thorough physical examination of the animal including Famacha parasite scoring by visually inspecting the pigment in the eye. Providing deworming or vaccinations too is facilitated.

Housed at the Hardin County Cooperative Extension Office, the equipment, complete with a utility trailer for transport, can be checked out for no cost and used by small, limited resource or minority goat and sheep producers throughout Central and West Kentucky.