Intensive Management Systems for Small Ruminants

Summary

Small ruminant producers in White County have been successful in marketing live animals and animals for slaughter to a growing consumer market in Georgia, specifically in the Atlanta area. Increased land values, and parasite health issues found in sheep and goats in the Southeast have additionally given rise for small ruminant producers to evaluate alternative ways to meet consumer demand without sacrificing more land and the health of the animal. To increase the viability of small ruminant producers, the UGA White County Extension Agent collaborated with Michigan State University and the University of Maryland to host a three-part webinar series on raising small ruminant animals in an intensive management system.

Situation

Over the past several years, small acreage farming has continued to increase in popularity in White County and across Northeast Georgia. Small ruminant livestock such as sheep and goats have been popular for many beginning producers in White County. These operations have been successful due to the high demand for lamb and breeding stock in Georgia and the greater Atlanta area. This demand created an interest to further understand various ways one could increase the supply of animal units on limited land. Additional factors, such as increasing land values and parasite management have contributed heavily into additional educational needsof different farm systems that can be sustainable for animal health as well as financially to the farmer while providing an increase in animal production.

Response

The White County Extension Agent hosted a three-part webinar series in coordination with University of Maryland Extension’s small ruminant specialist and Michigan State University’s small ruminant specialist. The three topics were, Raising Small Ruminant Animals Intensively, Design Considerations for Modern Sheep and Goat Farming Infrastructure: Housing, Feeding, and Watering Systems, and Accelerated Lambing and Kidding Production Systems. These webinars provided a broad spectrum of information covering raising sheep in intensive systems and housing and providing a year round supply of lamb with accelerated lambing.” The intensive management concept focuses on raising animals in partial or total confinement. Special consideration was given to the idea that one could repurpose an unused chicken house to house either goats or sheep. The agent sought out small ruminant specialist in these northern states because their experience and knowledge regarding housing of small ruminant animals due to harsh winter environments is vital to southern producers in battling parasite pressures found in our climate.

Impact

A total of 127 live viewers participated in the series, and 1,098 additional viewers have watched the recordings, representing over 20 states and three countries in all. Fifty-seven percent of survey respondents indicated they had a better knowledge of intensive production systems that involves dry lots and infrastructure, and ninety-seven percent would apply some component of what they learned into practice. Locally, all White County sheep producers said they will implement some sort of partial confinement during high risk stages of development of their animals, and this decision was affirmed by these webinars.

State Issue

Animal Production

Details

• Year: 2020
• Geographic Scope: National
• County: White
• Location: College Station, Athens
• Program Areas:
  • Agriculture & Natural Resources