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Sheep and Goats

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Featured resources

How to meet the mineral needs of livestock in mixed pastures

Minerals are critically important for the health and well-being of livestock. Cattle, sheep and goats are frequently pastured together, but sheep can be harmed by copper, which cattle and goats need. Options to get animals the ...

Shelby Filley | Sep 2021 | Article

Sheep and Goats Collection

Here is a collection of our favorite resources for sheep and goat production information, including production and management, reproduction, nutrition, lambing, and more.

Aug 2019 | Collection

Humane killing of sheep and goats (in English)

This Humane Slaughter website out of the UK shows shot locations for sheep and goats.

Jul 2020 | Online resource

Living on the Land: Getting Started with Sheep and Goats: Nutrition and Feeding

By Susan Kerr , Ashley Conway , Brian Tuck , Ellen Hammond and Shilah Olson

Sheep and goats require five essential nutrients: water, energy (carbohydrates and fat), protein, vitamins, and minerals. A deficiency in any of these can cause illness, poor growth or performance, and even death. This publication describes ruminant digestion and nutrition.

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Photo by Daniel Robison (Cropped from original)
2 greetng goats
Photo: Candi Bothum

Services - Livestock Auction, Scales, and Marketing

A collection of items concerning livestock auctions, scales, and marketing.

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Latest resources

Tube Feeding Neonatal Small Ruminants: An Essential Skill for Sheep and Goat Farmers (in English)

Lambing and kidding are well under way. It is essential that sheep and goat producers learn how to tube feed young animals. This simple procedure can often save a young animal’s life, thereby increasing lambing and kidding crop rates and enhancing profitability. With a brief amount of instruction and a little practice, even children can perform this crucial task quickly, safely and effectively.

Susan Kerr | Dec 2009 | Online resource

Over-the-counter sale of livestock antibiotics ends June 11, 2023. How can you prepare?

Federal rules in 2023 end the over-the-counter sale of some livestock antibiotics. You will need prescriptions from a veterinarian to treat your animals.

Charles Estill | Mar 2023 | Article

Nutrient Requirements of Sheep

These tables contain the nutrient requirements of sheep in pounds and as a percentage of the diet. Table 1 is for mature ewes, Table 2 is for ewe lambs and ram lambs, and Table 3 is for growing and finishing lambs.

Aug 2019 | Article

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Living on The Land: Getting Started with Sheep and Goats—Building a Flock or Herd

By Susan Kerr , Brian Tuck ​​​​​​, Shilah Olson and Ellen Hammond

This is a second publication in the Living on The Land series on how to make a good start with sheep and goats. It gives more detail on how to choose healthy, high-quality animals, including specific signs of good health; tips on choosing a reputable seller; the diseases to ask a veterinarian to screen for; and managing new animals’ entry into your existing flock.

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Photo: Betsy Hartley (Cropped from original)

Sheep Related Content

How to navigate poor marketing conditions for lambs

Selling lambs during a down market can be a challenge. If you decide to hold your lambs until the market improves, here are some strategies for feeding and maintaining their health.

Shelby Filley | Aug 2019 | Article

Good choices on rams now translate to good flock production later

There is no room for snap judgments when selecting breeding sheep. Next year’s lamb crop depends on careful choices. Taking the time to look closely at prospects will pay off with an improved flock down the road.

James Thompson | Aug 2018 | Article

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Goat Related Content

Price of goats (in English)

What's the price of goats? This USDA Ag. Marketing Service website has prices for goats across the US. Use these as a guide to prices for goats in Oregon.

USDA | Jul 2020 | Online resource

Footrot in sheep and goats (in English)

This publication from Purdue University Extension describes footrot and other foot disorders so that you can make a proper diagnosis of the problem. It also covers treartment and preventive measures such as hoof trimming, foot baths, and culling of animals not responsive to treatments.

Dec 2020 | Online resource

Goat Meat Quality (in English)

This short article from Michigan State University Extension has information on goat meat quality.

Jeannine P. Schweihofer | Jun 2020 | Online resource

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Related news

Despite pandemic, county fairs and livestock shows go on for 4-H exhibitors

Oregon 4-H faculty, staff and volunteers worked throughout the spring and summer to highlight the hard work of 4-H youth exhibitors and provide a quality educational fair experience in a healthy, safe environment.

Shana Withee, Jan Williams, Elli Korthuis, Traci Reed, Dani Annala, Wendy Hein, Erin Hansell-Heideman, Jon Gandy, Amy Derby, Susan Busler, Marilee Anderson | May 2021 | Impact story

Livestock producers embrace progressive tactics for dealing with wolves

Extension’s efforts have allowed members and organizations from the cattle industry to work with other organizations they traditionally avoided.

Ian McGregor | Apr 2021 | Impact story

OSU Extension assists with livestock rescue efforts as Oregonians flee fires

When the fires started raging on Tuesday, OSU Extension employees started preparing barns and other buildings for animals, in addition to sorting through donations of food and water. Since then, they’ve been working day and night.

Chris Branam | Sep 11, 2020 | News story

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