18 WJTS News Director Bradford Raths joins Superintendent of the Southern Indiana Purdue Agricultural Center (SIPAC) Jason Tower for a tour to see some of the things that go on at SIPAC. Note there is goat information starting at the 4:45 mark.
Month: October 2013
OUR LAMB STORY: MAKING THE CONNECTION FROM PASTURE TO PLATE
There’s a story behind every bite of American lamb you take. Before it ever makes it to your table, American lamb is raised by dedicated producers with a shared connection to the land, the animals, and the local communities they serve across America. But who exactly are the folks raising and cooking your food today? They’re both urban and rural, they are both men and women, and they hold advanced degrees. They range from first-to-fourth-generation farmers and they’re passionate stewards of the environment. They’re family-focused, entrepreneurial and adventurous. And most notably, they are food artisans who care deeply about the origin and nature of their products-real people with real passion for what they do and the final product they deliver. When it comes to the ingredients that are bound for your table, you can rest assured that the individuals raising and preparing American lamb are invested in the entire process, from start to finish.
NIMAN RANCH: COMMITMENT TO QUALITY
AMY TRINIDAD
Niman Ranch may be most well-known for its pork products; however, it was in the 1990s that Niman Ranch started offering lamb to complement their beef line due in part to the dedicated work of Al Medvitz and Jeannie McCormack of California. Today, fewer than a dozen sheep ranching families from a variety of regions produce the lamb the company sells nationwide. Read on to see their secret to success.
STUDY: TERMINAL SHEEP BREEDS FOR USE IN WESTERN RANGE OPERATIONS
DAVID NOTTER, GREG LEWIS, MICHELLE MOUSEL, TIM LEEDS, HENRY ZERBY, STEVE MOELLER, DAVID KIRSCHTEN, AND BRET TAYLOR
Mating systems involving crossing of terminal sire sheep breeds with superiority for production characteristics such as growth rate and feed efficiency with well-adapted maternal breeds provide opportunity to increase lamb carcass value while maintaining acceptable environmental adaptation in the crossbred lambs. Large, lean terminal-sire breeds such as the Suffolk and Columbia have been most typically used in extensive rangeland conditions found in much of the western United States. Intense selection in these breeds for adult body weight and frame size led to correlated increases in growth rate but also concerns regarding fitness and survival rates to weaning in resulting crossbred lambs, and other less-extreme terminal-sire types of most moderate size have been increasingly promoted as alternatives.
COMMON DISEASES AND HEALTH PROBLEMS IN SHEEP AND GOATS
LYNN PEZZANITE, MICHAEL NEARY, TERRY HUTCHENS, PATTY SCHARKO
A sound management program to keep animals healthy is basic to production of both sheep and goats. Producers must observe animals closely to keep individual animals and the whole herd or flock healthy and productive. If the heath status of a herd is compromised, that operation will not be as efficient as
possible.There are some human health risks when dealing with diseased animals. While most diseases affecting sheep and goats do not pose any human health risks, some are zoonotic and it is important to protect not only caretakers, but anyone else that may come in contact with diseased animals.
RANCHERS WONDER IF U.S. SHEEP INDUSTRY HAS BOTTOMED OUT
LUKE RUNYON
Over the last 20 years, the number of sheep in the U.S. has plummeted by half. The sheep industry has actually been declining since the late 1940s, when it hit its peak. The sharp drop in production has left ranchers to wonder, “When are we going to hit the bottom?”
EFFICIENT HANDLING OF MEAT GOATS
SUSAN SCHOENIAN
Goats need to be handled for deworming, vaccinating, hoof trimming, sorting operations, and other occasional tasks. A well-constructed handling system or set or working pens will go a long way in minimizing the stress to both the producer and animals when these various tasks are performed. Reduced stress will improve productivity. In addition, when adequate facilities are lacking, many management tasks get delayed or overlooked. For small producers, a pen where goats can be gathered in close confinement is usually sufficient, whereas larger herds require a more sophisticated system of working facilities.
OFFICIAL ANIMAL ID NECESSARY FOR INTERSTATE EXHIBITION
As exhibitors and their families prepare for two upcoming national livestock shows, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Chris Clark reminds everyone to be aware of the new USDA rule requiring official identification for all interstate commerce.
LACLARE FARMS HOSTS GRAND OPENING OF FARMSTEAD GOAT DAIRY CAFE AND RETAIL STORE NOVEMBER 1-4
LaClare Farms, maker of U.S. Championship Evalon goat’s milk cheese, celebrates new beginnings. Located at W2994 County Road HH, east of the intersection of Highway 151 in tiny Pipe, the facility includes a dairy plant, retail store and café, along with a milking parlor with housing for 600 milking goats. The retail shop offers specialty cheeses, craft beers, wines, ice cream and Wisconsin local foods.
FIRST LAMB & WOOL EXPO TERMED A GREAT SUCCESS
DALE HILDEBRANT
Many associated with the region’s sheep industry flocked to the Stutsman County Fairgrounds in Jamestown, N.D., on Aug. 2, for the first annual Lamb & Wool Expo. Organizer of the event, North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension sheep specialist, Reid Redden, said he was very pleased with the turnout, considering this was the first year for the gathering.
sheepngoats 