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farmer feeding a herd of sheep on a farm

Preface

Dairy goat and sheep production is one of the fastest-growing agricultural industries in Alabama and the Southeast in general. This guide offers a general overview of the industry along with best management practices. It was developed as a resource for producers, Extension personnel, and industry leaders.

While detailed, this guide is not an exhaustive source of information related to these industries. The goal is to answer common questions and concerns related to management practices and to provide additional resources producers may consult. The authors do not assume any responsibility, make any guarantees, or offer any warranties regarding the results obtained from the use of any management practices or suggestions made in this guide.

Special thanks goes to Oksana K. Singh for researching, editing, writing, and locating sources needed for this guide. Her hard work and dedication has led to a guide that will benefit the dairy goat and sheep industry for years to come.

Contents

Reproductive Management

Parasite Control

Resources

American Dairy Goat Association, adga.org

American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control, www.wormx.info/famacha

Dairy Records Management Systems, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC

Langston University, Goat Research Center, Dairy Herd Improvement Lab

Sheep101.info

Contributors

Chance L. Armstrong, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, School of Veterinary Medicine, Louisiana State University

Jenna Bayne, Clinical Lecturer, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University

Boyd Brady, Extension Specialist, Dairy Science, Department of Animal Science, Auburn University

Maria Lenira Leite-Browning, Extension Specialist, Animal Science, Alabama A&M University

Paul Dyce, Assistant Professor, Reproductive Development Biology, Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University

Misty A. Edmondson, Associate Professor, Farm Animal Section, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University

G. M. (Jim) Gallaspy, Director, Milk and Food Processing Branch, Alabama Public Health Department

Jenny Isham, Extension Intern, Undergraduate Assistant Dairy, Auburn University

W. Kenneth Kelley, Regional Extension Agent, Farm and Agribusiness Management, Auburn University

Kim Mullenix, Extension Beef Cattle Systems Specialist, Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University

Benjamin Newcomer, Assistant Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, Auburn University

W. F. “Frank” Owsley, Professor and Department Head, Animal Science and Veterinary Technology, Tarleton State University

Thomas Passler, Associate Professor, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University

Soren Rodning, Extension Specialist, Associate Professor, Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University

Max W. Runge, Extension Economist, Farm and Agribusiness Management, Auburn University

Julie Gard Schnuelle, Professor, Large Animal/Food Animal, Department of Clinical Sciences, College of Veterinary Medicine, Auburn University

Oksana K. Singh, Master of Agriculture, Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University

Robert Spencer, Urban Regional Extension Specialist, Alabama A&M University

Katie Sowell, Graduate Research Assistant, Department of Animal Sciences, Auburn University

Acknowledgments:

  • Cindy Brasfield, Designated Scrapie Epidemiologist, USDA/Veterinary Service
  • Carol Cook, 2 Nannies Dairy Goats
  • Tony Frazier, State Veterinarian, Alabama Department of Agriculture and Industries
  • Ana Kelley, Dayspring Dairy, LLC
  • Emery Tschetter, Director, Extension Communications and Marketing, Auburn University
  • Guy Hall, Director, Alabama Farmer’s Federation Dairy Division
  • Nate Jaeger, Director, Alabama Farmer’s Federation Meat Goat and Sheep Division

 

Download a PDF of Dairy Goat and Sheep Operations in the Southeast Production Guide, ANR-2457.