2022 Upcoming Sheep Husbandry/ Wool Production Courses:
It’s a Wormy Deal -Learn sheep and goat parasite strategies and the FAMACHA certification method during this in-person event – 3 locations and dates in April
April 18 – PSU Extension’s It’s A Wormy Deal Workshop – Oberholtzer Farm in East Earl, Penn. – Register at extension.psu.edu/its-a-wormy-
April 19 – PSU Extension’s It’s A Wormy Deal Workshop – Dotterer Farm in Mill Hall, Penn. – Register at extension.psu.edu/its-a-wormy-
April 30 – PSU Extension’s It’s A Wormy Deal Workshop – Wherry Farm in Scenery Hill, Penn. – Register at extension.psu.edu/its-a-wormy-
Penn State Extension will hold a workshop titled It’s a Wormy Deal at three locations this spring for sheep and goat producers.
The first will take place on April 18 at the Oberholtzer Farm in East Earl, Penn. The second workshop will be held on April 19 at the Dotterer Farm in Mill Hall, Penn. The third is set for April 30 at the Wherry Farm in Scenery Hill, Penn.
“The workshop is named the way it is because it’s a wormy deal for sheep and goat producers throughout the grazing season in Pennsylvania,” said Melanie Barkley, senior extension educator based in Bedford County, who is coordinating the workshops. “Wet weather leads to ideal conditions for internal parasites to flourish in pasture systems and leads to infected animals. Producers can learn how to better manage internal parasites at these workshops.”
Featured topics include an overview of the internal parasite life cycle and techniques to prevent parasite infection, according to Barkley. The workshop also will include information on how to use FAMACHA to assess anemia levels in sheep and goats. The FAMACHA score allows producers to determine the need to treat individual animals. Producers will demonstrate the procedure as part of the workshop.
The cost to attend one of the workshops is $25 and includes handout materials, refreshments and a FAMACHA card. Registration is requested by April 15. To register for a workshop, call 877-345-0691 or go to extension.psu.edu/its-a-
For more information about the workshops, contact Barkley at 814-623-4800 or Camren Maierle at 724-662-3141.
Source: ASI Weekly
Livestock Conservancy Online Training for Fiber Producers : https://livestockconservancy.teachable.com/
Marketing your Fiber Products (Deborah Niemann ) : https://livestockconservancy.teachable.com/p/marketing-your-fiber-products
From Farm to Fiber Folk – Everything You Need to Know When Buying and Selling Wool (Deborah Robson): https://livestockconservancy.teachable.com/p/from-farm-to-fiber-folk
How to Wash Fleece (pdf): https://livestockconservancy.org/images/uploads/docs/OneWayToWashAFleece.pdf
Heritage Sheep Brochure: https://livestockconservancy.org/images/uploads/docs/Heritage_Sheep_Brochure_2020.pdf
Shear Em to Save Em Program Brochure: https://livestockconservancy.org/images/uploads/docs/SE2_Brochure_051520.pdf
ASI Research Update Podcast: Shearing 101 (from ASI Weekly Feb. 5, 2021): https://soundcloud.com/user-637754734/asi-research-update-shearing-101
Australian shearer Mike Pora regularly teaches shearing schools in the United States and was the guest on the January edition of the ASI Research Update Podcast to discuss Shearing 101.
National Health Monitoring System Sheep Studies (USDA APHIS) :
https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/monitoring-and-surveillance/nahms/nahms_sheep_studies/
NAHMS Sheep 2011
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- Sheep 2011 Part IV: Changes in Health and Production Practices in the U.S. Sheep Industry, 1996-2011 (4/13)
- Sheep 2011 Part III: Health and Management Practices on U.S. Sheep Operations, 2011 (9/13)
- Sheep 2011: Part II: Reference of Marketing and Death Loss on U.S. Sheep Operations (12/12)
- Sheep 2011: Part I: Reference of Sheep Management Practices in the United States, 2011 (5/12)
Info Sheets:
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- Mycoplasma ovipneumonia on U.S. Sheep Operations (6/15)
- Producer Disease Awareness on U.S. Sheep Operations, 2011 (6/15)
- Health Management and Biosecurity Practices on U.S. Sheep Operations (6/15)
- Campylobacter on U.S. Sheep and Lamb Operations (7/14)
- Toxoplasma on U.S. Sheep Operations (7/14)
- Enterococcus on U.S. Sheep and Lamb Operations (5/14)
- Sheep and Lamb Death Loss in the United States, 2011 (5/14)
- Lambing Management Practices on U.S. Sheep Operations, 2011 (1/14)
- Vaccination Practices on U.S. Sheep Operations, 2011 (1/14)
- Salmonella on U.S. Sheep Operations, 2011 (7/13)
- Highlights of NAHMS Sheep 2011 “Part II: Reference of Marketing and Death Loss on U.S. Sheep Operations in the United States” (5/13)
- Highlights of NAHMS Sheep 2011 “Part I: Reference of Sheep Management Practices in the United States” (10/12)
- Lambing Management Practices on U.S. Sheep Operations, 2011 (10/12)
- Record-keeping Practices on U.S. Sheep Operations (10/12)
Data from 2001 and 1996 studies also available from the same web page.
Bill Sims Wool & Mohair Research Laboratory (Texas A&M AgriLife Research, San Angelo TX): https://sanangelo.tamu.edu/bsl/
Texas A&M AgriLife Research’s wool lab is one of just two academic wool labs in the country, and is partnering with the American Sheep Industry (ASI) Association to upgrade their testing equipment to service the entire nation’s commercial wool industry testing needs. The commercial American wool industry relies on labs overseas for testing since the closure of the sole domestic testing facility in 2020. The Bill Sims Wool & Mohair Research Lab can test for physical properties of wool, mohair, cashmere, alpaca as well as other types of fibers.
Secure Sheep and Wool Supply Plan (SSWS) March 2nd Webinar Recording (USDA, APHIS & ASI): https://www.aphis.usda.gov/aphis/ourfocus/animalhealth/training-and-development/video-gallery/2021/secure-sheep-wool-supply
Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle described the aspects of the plan that are consistent with other secure food supply plans and highlighted the unique aspects given the lack of clinical signs of Foot and Mouth Disease in sheep, achieving enhanced biosecurity in certain management situations, and wool handling recommendations.