CCE Livestock Program Workteam
News, Updates & Recent Publications
Lambing/Kidding Management Calendar and Supplies Needed
Check off which supplies your mentor usually has on hand. Record their suggestions of other supplies to have on hand or particular brands they like to use, etc.
Screening for Diseases when Buying Goats and Sheep
The contagious diseases you initially introduce into your herd or flock will haunt you for years to come. The following are common infectious diseases found in US herds. Be sure to ask sellers directly about the status of these diseases in their herds. People are often more honest when asked directly about specific diseases rather than simply asked “is your herd healthy?”
Sheep Management: The Deadly Barber Pole Worm
When I sell breeding livestock – ewe and ram lambs alike – I now add the following sentence to the sale’s agreement: Seller advises STRONGLY against using Ivomec as a dewormer and recommends Cydectin or Prohibit against barber pole worms and Valbazen against tapeworms.
Understanding Cut Sheets
The page linked here from a butcher in VA offers concise descriptions of what’s possible on lambs, pigs, and cattle, along with sample cut sheets.