By Andi Anderson
The 2025 Small Ruminant Webinar Series is underway, providing farmers with essential knowledge on managing small ruminants. Hosted on the fourth Thursday of each month until April, the webinars feature expert speakers sharing research updates and practical strategies for improving sheep and goat operations.
Each session runs from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. Central time. The next webinar is scheduled for February 27. The series is designed to address challenges faced by small ruminant producers and offer solutions for better herd management.
Carolyn Ihde, a small ruminant outreach specialist with Iowa State University Extension and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Extension, emphasized the value of the series. “Each session will provide useful insights to help producers make informed decisions,” she said.
The webinar lineup includes:
- February 27: Kelsey Bentley from Kansas State University will discuss genetic selection for parasite resistance in sheep. She will focus on post-weaning fecal egg counts and improving health through breeding.
- March 27: A panel of five entrepreneurs will share their experiences with value-added sheep products and services, including wool mills, tannery operations, and specialty sheep breeding.
- April 24: Cody Gifford from the University of Wyoming will cover carcass traits, meat quality, and best practices for producing high-quality sheep meat.
Farmers interested in attending must register online for each session to receive the webinar link. This series offers a great opportunity to learn from industry experts and improve small ruminant management practices.
Photo Credit: istock-globalp
Categories: Iowa, Livestock