Small Ruminant Programs at the University of Tennessee

08/04/2026

The importance of clean, fresh water cannot be overstated!

💧 Tuesday Tip: Water Quality Matters

Animals that have consistent access to clean and fresh water are more likely to maintain feed intake, support proper digestion, regulate body temperature, and perform at their best during breeding, gestation, and lactation.

As temperatures remain high, take a few minutes to inspect your water sources:
✔️ Clean algae and debris from tanks and buckets
✔️ Ensure water is cool, fresh, and readily available
✔️ Check for leaks or low flow rates that could limit intake

📘Download our Production Management Guide to learn more about water intake and the impact it has on your program: https://reprospecialty.com/production-phase-management-guide/

A simple management practice like maintaining water quality can have a lasting impact on flock and herd health.

07/23/2026

Have questions about dewormers and how to use them? This article details proper dewormer usage and gives great explanations!

https://60f7303d-ac52-4cac-b7fb-6050f500b0b6.filesusr.com/ugd/6ef604_26d7565ceac447ba9af4228fbe0a3755.pdf

07/21/2026

07/14/2026

Artificial insemination for sheep and goats is more complicated then it is for cattle, but that hasn’t stopped it from becoming a common practice.

07/14/2026

We are one week away from the Clay County Small Ruminant Series!

The first meeting in this series will be held on Tuesday, July 21st at the Clay County Fair Grounds!

This course will overview nutrition needs for your flock as well as reproductive timing and record keeping methods.

To register for this event please see the flyer above.

Thank you all and have a great day!

07/09/2026

5th National Goat Conference in Oklahoma: On September 28-30th of, 2026, the National Goat Consortium will host its 5th National Goat Conference (NGC) in Langston & Edmond, Oklahoma. At this year's event, attendees can look forward to classroom and hands-on activities across topics including goat production, product development, parasite management, and marketing.
More information: https://ngcgoats.wixsite.com/1890ngc/copy-of-conference-information?fbclid=IwY2xjawS8yFhleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETF5a0RnYzF5amtza01wTTFGc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHjrugAzPRWZ1qkO35EsvgbMp6BFhuqtPE4pm9C8KpXX2JCHZZTVN-kiCuRPA_aem_zHkHHJEcgenRgDSP47JdTg

06/30/2026

WEEKLY RESEARCH SHARE

A multimodal pharmacological treatment of Incomplete cervical dilation and softening ('Ringwomb') in ewes: Effects on delivery outcome, survival, and animal welfare

HIGHLIGHTS
•Multimodal therapy (oxytocin, Ca/Mg, glucose) resolved 52.9% of ICDS.
•Labor over 12 hrs increases fetal mortality and reduces ewes survival.
•ICDS in multiparous ewes reflects metabolic exhaustion, not hormonal failure alone.
•Breed did not predict ICDS outcome; larger litters significantly raised fetal loss.
•Treatment mode did not affect pregnancy rate or ICDS recurrence in surviving ewes.

ABSTRACT
Incomplete cervical dilation and softening (ICDS), commonly referred to as “Ringwomb”, remains a significant cause of dystocia and neonatal mortality in sheep. This study evaluated the clinical efficacy of various pharmacological protocols and the impact of labor duration and breed on maternal and fetal outcomes in 64 ewes over a seven-year period (2019–2025). Ewes were distributed into four groups: Group A (oxytocin), Group B (calcium/magnesium), Group C (multimodal: oxytocin, calcium/magnesium, glucose and glucose precursors), and Group D (control). Results indicated that the multimodal protocol in Group C was significantly more effective in facilitating vaginal delivery (52.9%) compared to other groups (p = 0.031). Labor duration was identified as the most critical predictor of survival; fetal mortality escalated from 10.0% in interventions occurring within 6 h to 52.5% in cases exceeding 12 h (p = 0.001). Maternal survival similarly declined from 92.6% to 68.8% over the same interval (p = 0.048). While litter size significantly influenced fetal mortality (p = 0.046), ewe breed did not significantly affect clinical success or survival rates (p > 0.05). Longitudinal analysis revealed that neither the mode of delivery nor the treatment protocol impacted subsequent pregnancy rates or the recurrence of ICDS (17.5% average). These findings suggest that early intervention with a multimodal approach can effectively resolve ICDS, reducing the requirement for surgical intervention and improving overall animal welfare.

SOURCE: Small Ruminant Research, June 2026

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0921448826000635?via%3Dihub

06/26/2026

Here's how goats are helping clear invasive plants in South Knoxville >> https://tinyurl.com/mrxuxnjs

06/26/2026

https://solutions.tennessee.edu/publication/W1390/

06/26/2026

Have you seen a veterinarian or farmer check a sheep or goat’s lower eyelid with a card like this?

This technique is called FAMACHA scoring. It is an on-farm tool used to help assess anemia, or a low number of red blood cells, in small ruminants such as sheep and goats. Anemia in these animals can be associated with parasites, including the barber pole worm (Haemonchus contortus).

The scoring process involves gently examining the color of the lower eyelid, called the conjunctiva, and comparing it with a standardized chart. The chart uses a 1 to 5 scale. Paler color may indicate a greater concern for anemia and can help inform whether parasite control should be considered.

Why not deworm the whole herd every time?

Targeted parasite control can help:
• Reduce unnecessary treatments
• Save money
• Support herd health
• Help slow drug resistance

FAMACHA scoring should be used as part of a herd health plan developed with a veterinarian or trained animal health professional.

Purdue Agriculture Purdue Extension Purdue University Purdue Animal Sciences Indiana State Board of Animal Health