Success StorySmall Ruminant School
Small Ruminant School
Author: Corinne Belton
Planning Unit: Shelby County CES
Major Program: Small Ruminants (includes sheep, goats) and Exotic animals
Plan of Work: Livestock Production & Profitability
Outcome: Intermediate Outcome
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 this increase in number of producers and their need for basic small ruminant information, Small Ruminant classes are requested annually. Additionally, producers receiving CAIP funding in the small ruminant area are now required to complete Small Ruminant Quality Assurance training. Small Ruminant School was developed and promoted to meet the needs of this audience.
45 participants attended sessions including topics on nutrition, health & parasite control, and facilities & equipment. The series capstone was a hands-on SRQA training, hosted by a local sheep producer. The on-farm finale allowed participants to see practices they had learned about, as well as additional methods, in a real-time practical setting while earning their SRQA certification.
Learning to properly manage flock health, nutrition, reproduction, facilities and more specifically the costly parasite challenges that can be associated with small ruminants, gives producers the tools to minimize losses and maximize profits within their operations.
Stories by Corinne Belton
Breakfast on the Farm
With over 1500 farms generating more than $72 million in agriculture receipts, Shelby County agricul... Read More
Capital Classic Heifer Sale Continues to Offer Improved Genetics
Shelby County, like many other formerly tobacco-dependent counties, has seen an emphasis on quality ... Read More
Stories by Shelby County CES
Master Clothing Volunteers - Sharing Sewing Success
Studies indicate that sewing is not only a productive hobby and life skill, it can reduce stress and... Read More
Master Clothing Volunteers - Sharing Sewing Success
Studies indicate that sewing is not only a productive hobby and life skill, it can reduce stress and... Read More
© 2024 University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment