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American Sheep Industry Discusses Compliance with New Federal Rules Regarding Antibiotics in Sheep Food and Drinking Water (VFD)

3/8/2017

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ASI Discusses New VFD Protocol at 2017 Convention

ASI Discusses New VFD Protocol for Antibiotics in Sheep Food & Water at 2017 Annual Convention in Denver
You may have heard, but on January 1, 2017 new federal rules were enacted which affect those raising sheep in the US. The Veterinary Feed Directive (or VFD), requires that antibiotics commonly used to treat diseases in humans are not incorporated in food and water given to meat animals raised in the United States unless a written VFD order is obtained from a local veterinarian.

If the grain and other sheep food you feed your flock have contained these antibiotics in the past, or if you've added antibiotics as supplement to your flock's food supply, you don't necessarily have to change what you feed your flock. Those drugs that shepherds have traditionally used will still be available in the United States ... the new rule simply requires that you obtain a written VFD order from a local veterinarian to continue feeding your flock as you have in the past.

If you don't supplement your flock or add antibiotics to the food or water your sheep consume, this rule won't affect you.


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Farm Feature: Little Whisker Blue Texels

8/25/2015

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Farm Feature: Little Whisker Blue Texels

Today Janet Carson of Little Whisker Blue Texels in Northern Ireland shares her experience raising Blue Texel sheep.
Blue Texel Sheep
In 2012 we started off with 6 pedigree Blue Texel ewes and a ram that we imported from Holland. We lambed them the following year and found them to be very docile, great mothers and easily lambed.

The breed originate from Texel Island off the coast of Northern Holland. They came about from the mating of 2 white Texel sheep that carried a recessive gene, the agouti gene, which gives the beautiful blue steely color of the fleece.

Blue Texels have a finer bone structure than the white Texel with a narrower head thus being easily lambed. Above you can see a photo of some of our sheep.



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What is a Baby Sheep Called?

7/25/2015

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What is a Baby Sheep Called?

What is a Baby Sheep Called
If you've ever asked yourself "What is a Baby Sheep Called?" you aren't alone, and the truth is that there are several different names for baby sheep used around the world. The most common (and the most accurate) name for a baby sheep is lamb, but the "lamb" term can accurately be used to describe any sheep which is under a year old. The word lamb is also used to describe the meat of any sheep under a year of age, which is why it can get a bit confusing for folks who are new to sheep.


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How to Shear a Sheep

7/6/2015

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Sheep Shearing Video: How to Shear a Sheep

Sheep Shearing Video: How to Shear Sheep
In the high-quality sheep shearing video below, Mike Fournier from the Bucks County Penn State Extension demonstrates how to shear a sheep with a step-by-step breakdown on the six positions you must master if you want to comfortably shear a sheep with minimal effort. 

Learning these six shearing positions will allow you to keep the sheep safe and comfortable while also letting your legs do the work for you (saving your back). We've also included an exciting bonus at the end of this post ... a complete step-by-step sheep shearing guide, detailing each of the 6 steps you'll see in this video. This information is available to read within the body of this article and you can also take it with you in PDF format to print out and keep as a reference in the barn (pictures included in the free guide at the end of this post).


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Largest Sheep Breed

5/27/2015

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What is the Largest Sheep Breed in the World?

Largest Sheep Breed in the World
If you've ever wondered what the biggest sheep breed is you're not alone, and while many meat sheep breeds grow to an impressive height, length and weight, the Suffolk is considered to be the largest sheep breed in the world. Though you may see some large Hampshire or Columbia rams which give the Suffolk a run for its money as the largest breed of sheep, on average Suffolk sheep still come out on top in terms of size and weight - one of the reasons this massive breed is valued as a terminal sire ... producing large-framed, fast-gaining lambs in commercial crossbred flocks.


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Sheeps Milk Cheese

3/25/2015

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Sheeps Milk Cheese Information & Facts

Sheeps Milk Cheese
There's no question that sheeps milk cheese is gaining popularity. This delicious cheese tends to be sweeter than cheese made from cow or goat's milk and it is packed with more protein, fat and calcium to boot. While there are numerous different types of cheeses made from sheep milk, the most popular type in the United States is Pecorino Romano cheese - a hardened sheep cheese of Italian origin commonly used as a replacement for Parmesan, grated on pastas, vegetables or bread. Sheeps milk cheese is popular to serve with savory dishes and it complements many different types of wine very well. In this short article we'll provide some interesting facts and nutrition information about cheese made from sheep's milk.


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Cheap Sheep Halters

3/19/2015

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Can You Use Cheap Sheep Halters in the Show Ring?

Cheap Sheep Halters
Many people with young kids in 4-H or FFA wonder if it's ok to use a halter in the show ring. Whether you use cheap sheep halters or more expensive leather or nylon brands - the answer is yes - there's nothing wrong with younger kids using a sheep halter to make it easier to handle or keep control of their lamb in the ring. In fact - it's always better to use a halter and not need it than to send your child into the ring without a halter and watch in  horror as their lamb gets spooked and bolts across the arena, causing embarrassment and possibly getting injured in the process.

With that said, we have a few tips for how you can dress up cheap sheep halters when you or your child uses them in the show ring.


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Common Sheep Lambing Signs

3/19/2015

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5 Sheep Lambing Signs Too Obvious to Miss

Sheep Lambing Signs
While there are many resources which detail common sheep lambing signs, we thought it would be useful to offer the most important and the clearest signals in a short and clear list. From changes in behavior (like pawing at the ground) to physical changes like bagging up and the swelling of teats - there are plenty of clear signals that can save you time (and late night trips to the barn) if you know what to look for.


While using a lambing calculator or sheep gestation table is helpful, when the big day is near watching for these obvious signs of lambing will let you know if your ewe is getting ready.


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Sheep Facts: What is a Male Sheep Called?

11/17/2014

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What is a Male Sheep Called? (White Horned Ram)

What is a Male Sheep Called?

Male Sheep What is it Called?
Young Male Sheep Ram Lamb
Castrated Male Sheep Wether
Adult Male Sheep Ram
Slang for Adult Male Sheep Buck
Name for Male Sheep in the UK Tup
Male Sheep Without Horns Polled
Male Sheep With Horns Horned

The Names for Different Types of Male Sheep

While many people group male sheep and female sheep together under the umbrella term "sheep" - did you know that male sheep are called many different things? The age and even the location on the globe can dictate what a male sheep is called.

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Preparing Sheep Pasture for Winter

11/6/2014

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Preparing Sheep Pasture for Winter
It’s November and whether you have had your first snowfall or you live in a southern climate where the nights are simply getting a bit cooler this time of year, November means that the growth of the grass in your pastures has slowed or stopped altogether. Whether you have a handful of sheep on a small family farm or own and manage a larger flock, responsible shepherds understand that this is the time of year to prepare your pastures so that they can bounce back and provide excellent forage for your flock next year.

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