Sheep Resources for Small Farms

This page provides information for the sheep producer. Some of the topics available are production, breeds, reproduction, lambing, nutrition, health, and other sheep resources.

Production

Sheep: Sustainable and Organic Production

This publication introduces concerns and practices specifically related to sustainable sheep production. Topics covered include breed selection, controlled grazing, pasture lambing, alternative health management, and innovative marketing of meat and wool products. A list of further resources is also included.

Ann Barlett, Chelsey Ahrens | Apr 2010 | Online resource

Tips for marketing dairy sheep and goat products

The sale of sheep milk or milk products is often more profitable than selling only lamb or wool. This content explores the dairy sheep business and helps producers decide whether it is a viable option for their farms. Regulations governing the milk products industry are discussed. The resource also addresses production issues, animal health, stock selection and nutrition issues surrounding dairy sheep.

Margo Hale, Linda Coffey | Apr 2025 | Online resource

Breeds, Reproduction & Lambing

Sheep Breeds

Selection for wool type, flocking instinct and other economically important traits over the centuries has resulted in more than 200 distinct breeds of sheep occurring worldwide. Modern breeding schemes have also resulted in an increasing number of composite or synthetic breeds which are the result of a crossing of two or more established breeds.

Apr 2018 | Online resource

Nutrition & Health

Feeding Sheep

Nutrition plays a major role in the overall productivity, health, and well-being of the sheep flock. Because feed costs account for a large cost of production on sheep farms, it is important that producers consider nutrition management a top priority.

Steven H. Umberger | Apr 2018 | Online resource

Nutritional Management of the Sheep Flock

Feed for the ewe flock represents the largest production cost in a sheep enterprise. This means over-nutrition and using costly feedstuffs and ingredients is expensive and undesirable. At the same time, under-nutrition is also expensive due to lost productivity. Therefore, it is important to develop a nutritional management program for your flock that optimizes production while minimizing feed costs.

K. A. Johnson | Apr 2018 | Online resource

Apr 2018

Want to learn more about this topic? Explore more resources from OSU Extension: Sheep and goats

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