Below is a compiled list of on-line resources gathered by members of the LLSBA to help our breeders enhance their shepherding skills.
Get your questions answered!
If in doubt, don’t hesitate to reach out to fellow breeders or a shepherd near you!
There is a wealth of information out there!
For more specialized information on breeding, culling practices and genetic management of a rare breed, please refer to
“Dr. Sponenburg’s Corner” found at the top Main Navigation!
Wormx: Highly recommend this be on everyone’s bookmark list! Coordinated by the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control this site brings together the country’s top experts in the field for the most up to date research. You will find blogs, podcasts, a video library, fact sheets and more. Topics include on-line FAMACHA certification (yes you can do this), fecal egg counting techniques, barber pole worm, grazing practices for parasite control, and a host of other parasite related topics.
CAROLANN’S SHEPHERDING SHORTCUT: “One excellent source that I have printed and it stays in my barn is their Sheep Dewormer Chart. It gives recommended doses for a variety of wormers based on sheep weight.”
University of Maryland extension service provides a number of resources
Wild and Wooly Newsletter: Contains current and seasonal articles on sheep (and goat) management. Sign up and it comes to you!
CAROLANN’S SHEPHERDING SHORTCUTS include the following (direct click-through links for UofMD in bold):
Webinar Short Courses (4 to 6 webinars each) are held every winter and cover various aspects of sheep and goat production (management, nutrition, genetics, and health). Recordings of past webinars are available for viewing. The PowerPoint presentations that accompany individual webinars are also available for viewing and/or downloading. You can subscribe to the webinar listserv to receive notification of upcoming webinars.
UME Small Ruminant Program on Facebook The University of Maryland Extension Small Ruminant Program has a presence on the world’s largest social networking site. Facebook is another method for sheep and goat producers (and others) to receive timely information pertaining to sheep and goat production.
Presentations on SlideShare: Over 100 PowerPoint presentations and documents have been uploaded to SlideShare, a public presentation-sharing web site. Presentations are available for producers, students, scientists, and educators to view and/or download.
Cornell’s extension service provides a wide range of resources from sheep dairying, economics, out of season breeding (their STAR program), health, reproduction, and breeding among other topics
Free educational material, powerpoints, downloads, and podcasts on a wide range of topics including health, nutrition, and management, grazing techniques, breeding, body condition scoring, illness and more. Much of the material is to help zero in focus management and instill critical thinking toward making your operation sustainable and successful.
AATRA - NCAT EDUCATIONAL SHORTCUTS (click-through links in bold):
Small Ruminant Toolbox : All your shepherding resources on one page, including a free downloadable and printable resource manual.
Podcasts: Listen, Learn, and be Inspired on the go! A wide variety of farm topics for both the beginner and seasoned shepherd.
Events: Find an AATRA - NCAT event/presentation near you. Events can be browsed by region to help narrow down options. FAMACHA certifications included!
Grants: Find funding opportunities to help your farm grow!
Marketing Your Wool: A compiled list of links and tips to help you market your wool (SPOILER: Contains a link to the Livestock Conservancy’s Shave ‘em to Save ‘em Program for rare and endangered breeds)
Youth “Illustrated Guide to Small Ruminant”: this FREE 20 page illustrated download/printable introduction to small ruminants is great for involving youth!
All about honing your grazing including various topics on: planning your farm, fencing, water, pasture management, weed management through grazing, regenerative agriculture, soil health, silvopasture, leasing land, marketing, and more! Keep in mind, many of their topics concerning cattle grazing can cross over into sheep, such as many of their weed management articles. All topics are conveniently organized in the “Sections” navigation tab on their page.
On Pasture’s Free Handouts for your Event
Connecting and developing regional fiber systems that build soil and support the biosphere; Fibershed is helping producers connect with their fiber community by offering a directory and resources. Find our what is available near you, or reach out to become an affiliate branch going! This is also a great opportunity to find sheep producers near you that can act as mentors that may be most familiar with your area.
Find a shearer near you, plus other useful material and downloads.
Check out their calendar for shearing schools and other fiber events near you!
List of books for shepherds:
“Storey’s Guide to Raising Sheep” by Paula Simmons and Carol Ekarius
“Managing Your Ewe” and “Lamb Problems” by Laura Lawson (she also has several specialized pamphlets available)
These links are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by the LLSBA or any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. The LLSBA bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Please contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.