OSU Sheep Team

We invite you to join us for the Sheep Grazing tour on July 10, 2009 in Noble County. For the past two years, Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council have sponsored a pre-Sheep Day tour with Small Farm Institute, OSU Extension, OSU Sheep and Forage Teams, NRCS and Ohio Sheep Improvement Association. The cost for the day tour will be $30.00 for OFGC members and $35.00 for non members. It includes the bus, lunch and other refreshments. Reservations are needed by July 2, 2009. Send your check and reservations to Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council, P.O. Box 488, Coshocton, OH 43812. You can download a registration form off www.smallfarminstitute.org website. If you have questions, please call 740.545.6349 or email leah@smallfarminstitute.org.

The tour starts at Caldwell Elementary school by boarding the bus at 9:00 a.m. The elementary school’s address is 44350 Fairground Rd., Caldwell, Ohio. Parking will be available at the school. The tour is all day. The hosts for our tour are Chuck and Lisa Rodenfels, Shawn and Kim Ray, and Wayne Shriver Family. The following is a description of each farm:

Somerhill Farm- This farm is owned and operated by Chuck and Lisa Rodenfels. The Rodenfels have been shepherds for more than 20 years. One of the interesting sights on this tour will be a rare breed of sheep, the Bluefaced Leicester. The Rodenfels were one of the first people in the US to raise this breed of sheep. While still quite rare here, the BFL is the maternal sire of the “mule”, the backbone of the British commercial sheep industry. Over the years, the Rodenfels have used semen from several imported sires, and have had laparoscopic artificial insemination performed at their farm. Besides the BFLs, there is also a flock of Katahdins, a breed of hairsheep. These sheep are pasture lambed in May. Both breeds of sheep are rotationally grazed on a year round basis using electric netting. The Rodenfels direct market their wool products by a website, internet sales, as well at local fiber events. They have also sold lamb meat at a farm market

The Ray Family Farm – Shawn and Kim, along with their children Etta, William, and Hannah; and his parents Gene and Carole, raise sheep and goats on two farms in Noble County totaling 179 acres. The sheep flock consists of ~100 Dorset cross commercial ewes and their lambs. The goat herd includes ~30 Boer/Spanish cross commercial does and their kids. The goats are barn lambed in March and then rotationally grazed until weaning and direct sale in late fall, timed for ethnic holiday. The sheep are pasture lambed April 20th through ~May 20th; jugged, then rotationally grazed and never seeing feed after the jug. Lambs are usually weaned mid to late July and continue to be rotationally grazed. Ideally like to begin grazing turnips in late September and begin marketing lambs directly off of turnips from late October through mid December. (Drought last two falls have changed that approach). The Ray’s have participated in some USDA programs and have done several practices including subdivision fencing, spring development, controlled stream crossings, stream exclusion fencing, woodland exclusion fencing, extensive waterline, automatic waterers and/or frost-free hydrants, heavy use feeding pads and farm lane construction.

Shriver Farms – The farm is diversified livestock and forage operation. The farm combines commercial cattle enterprises and commercial sheep on a large scale. The farming operations are spread over several areas with the commercial ewe operation near the home farm in Buffalo and the majority of cattle located near Summerfield. The primary forage utilized for grazing is fescue. Reclaimed strip-mine ground represents the all of the pasture utilized at the Summerfield operation. Various sections of the farms have utilized EQIP funds to develop water systems, fencing and stream crossings.

PASTURE MEASUREMENT

Rory Lewandowski, Extension Educator AthensCounty

Pasture measurement allows a grazier to determine an estimate of how much forage dry matter (DM) is available in a pasture paddock. Once forage DM is estimated, then the grazier can figure out how many animals can be grazed in that paddock for a given period of time. This is something that experienced graziers gain an eye for over time with practice. For beginning graziers pasture measurement can help to take some of the guesswork out of allocating pasture forage and it can help to reduce the slope of the learning curve associated with management intensive grazing.

To get the most benefit from pasture measurement, it must be done on a consistent basis. Think in terms of measuring pasture on a weekly basis. For the grazier serious about increasing pasture use and efficiency, weekly pasture measurement is not something that is added or squeezed in to an already busy schedule, but rather is a necessary management task. Pasture measurement done on a weekly basis will help the grazier to make decisions about how to best use pasture paddocks and over time will provide a trend of how much forage DM is being produced per week. Using this type of information can help a grazier plan the livestock rotation for periods of rapid growth as well as periods of slow growth. The trend can provide an early warning system in a drought year and help the grazier plan accordingly.

Taking a single pasture measurement in a paddock is not advisable because of the variability that typically exists in pasture growth and density across a paddock. Take 20 to 30 separate, random measurements across the paddock. The more that are taken, the more accurate your estimate of forage DM will be.

How will you decide which paddock to measure on a weekly basis? One strategy is to measure the same paddock each week. If that paddock is due to be grazed, then measure before animals are turned in and when animals are turned out. These additional measurements will give you information about how you are managing plant residual, an important part of how quickly a plant recovers from a grazing pass. Most pastures should be managed so there is 1200 to 1400 lbs of DM after animals have grazed. The other advantage of this strategy is that you will get a good idea of pasture growth rate in terms of how much DM is being added per acre each week.

Another measurement strategy is to measure a paddock that is due to be grazed each week. This will help to give you an idea about your rotation speed. If you are consistently measuring 2400 to 3000 lbs of forage DM per acre in paddocks about to be grazed, this indicates the rest period has been long enough. If forage DM is less than 2200 lbs per acre then rotation speed should be slowed down to allow the pasture more time to recover and grow.

The next question is: what is used to make pasture measurements? The most economical option is the pasture stick, which costs about $5.00 to $7.00 and is generally provided to participants of grazing schools. The current model of the pasture stick being used in Ohio has a scale to measure forage height, a scale to estimate forage density, a table of lbs of DM/inch for various pasture forage types, information about length of grazing rotations and information about calculating the lbs of DM available for grazing. The basic steps involved in using the grazing stick are:

• Measure pasture height in 20-30 random areas of the paddock. Record those heights.
• Add the measurements to get a total and then divide that total by the number of measurements. This will give you average pasture height.
• Estimate pasture density using the dot scale on the pasture stick. This will allow you to estimate the lbs of DM per inch.
• Multiply the average height (inches) by the pasture density (lbs of DM/inch). This will give you the total DM per acre in that paddock.
• Subtract the amount of residual DM you want to leave in the paddock. This is plant height after grazing times the lbs of DM/inch. If you plan for a 3 to 4 inch residual, 1200-1400 lbs is about right. Consider the result of total DM minus residual DM to be the forage available for grazing.
• Figure out the amount of utilizable forage. All of the forage available for grazing will not actually get grazed. There will be waste. The smaller the paddock size and the fewer days animals spend in that paddock the higher the grazing efficiency. If you are moving animals every 3-4 days use a 60% grazing efficiency to begin with. Multiply the available forage DM by the grazing efficiency expressed as a decimal. For example 1500 lbs DM x 0.60 = 900 lbs of utilizable forage DM/acre.
• Figure out the livestock need in lbs of DM/day. Most livestock will consume between 2.5 to 3.0 % of their body weight in DM per day. You will need to know the average body weights of your livestock. Multiply the DM/day requirement for an individual animal by the total number of animals that will graze in that paddock. Example 30 head of sheep that average 150 lbs, consuming 2.75% of body weight in DM/day. 150 x .0275 = 4.1 lbs of DM/day. 4.1 x 30 head = 123 lbs of DM/day needed.
• Figure out what the paddock can support. Divide the utilizable forage by the livestock requirement to get how many days of grazing the paddock will provide. In our example: 900 lbs of utilizable DM divided by 123 lbs of DM needed /day = 7.3. There should be about a weeks worth of grazing in this paddock.
• Make adjustments based on the measurement calculations. For example if my goal is to rotate every 3-4 days and in our example we found that one acre is providing 7 days worth of grazing for 30 head of sheep, then provide about 0.5 acres every 3 days.

Another option to measure pastures is the rising plate meter. This is a simple instrument developed in New Zealand that has a counter built in. Record the beginning number on the counter, make 30 measurements and record the end number. Subtract the end number from the beginning number and divide that result by the number of measurements to get an average. Multiply this average by a conversion factor (currently 107.04) for cool season grass pastures. Use this number as the total forage DM/acre and follow the steps outlined for the pasture stick to make the remaining animal use calculations. The plate meter is quicker, but the cost of this instrument is about $450.

In the end, whatever method is used to measure pastures has value only if those measurements are used and applied to doing a better job of managing pastures.

The Ohio Sheep Improvement Association is once again offering the Ralph Grimshaw Memorial Scholarship to young college-age sheep producers in 2009. The $1,000.00 scholarship that has been made available to our young people involved in sheep production and management. Contributions for the scholarship have been provided by Ohio Sheep Improvement Association member contributions and the silent auction at the annual Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium. Requirements for the scholarship are listed on the application. If you are a interested in applying, you can go to www.ohiosheep.org for a scholarship application or you can call Regina Mayhugh at the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association office at 614-246-8285.

Steve Boyles, OSU Extension Beef Specialist

Livestock producers, medical researchers, pet owners and others who practice Animal Husbandry are continually questioned about the care they provide their animals. Certain groups may be targeting Ohio in regards to the elimination of gestation stalls for sows, veal crates and cages for layers through legislation or a ballot initiative. Livestock producers, teachers, students and their parents need to be informed about current livestock animal care policies.

The following links go to a Q & A fact sheet and a flyer the OLC (Ohio Livestock Coalition) hopes to have posted at all Fairs this year. These pieces were both provided by Sandy Kuhn at OLC and are housed on the OSU Beef Team website. They are well done and you might find them useful as questions are asked about why we do what we do in the livestock industry. As questions and concerns arise, OLC will be developing additional “fact based” materials for reference: http://beef.osu.edu/AnCare/AnimalQA.pdf and http://beef.osu.edu/AnCare/ManageStand.pdf

April 6, 15, and 20-Montgomery County Grazing School. For more information and to register, go to http://montgomery.osu.edu

April 14, 16, 21, and 25-Athens County Grazing School. For more information and to register, go to http://athens.osu.edu

May 23-24-Great Lakes Fiber Show and Sheep Show and Sale, Wooster. For more information, visit their website at http://www.greatlakesfibershow.com

May 28-Champaign County Pasture Walk. For more information log onto http://champaign.osu.edu

June 20-Scanning lambs for loin eye and back fat measurements. To sign your lambs up, please contact Bill and Susan Schultz at bunkerhillfarm@gmail.com

July 11-Ohio Sheep Day. For more information visit the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association’s web site at http://ohiosheep.org

Dr. Bill Shulaw, OSU Extension Veterinarian

A FAMACHA training session will be held at the Great Lakes Fiber Show at
the Wayne County fairgrounds in Wooster, OH, on May 23. The schedule and
more information about the event can be found at
http://www.greatlakesfibershow.com/shows-sales.htm
For information about registering for the FAMACHA training contact Marlene & Carl Gruetter: 740-256-1866 or e-mail at trf@trfohio.com.

Curt Cline, Director for Commercial Flock Owners, Co-Chairman of Membership Services Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and Daryl Clark, Director for Lamb Feeders, Co-Chairman of Membership Services Ohio Sheep Improvement Association

As I begin to embark on this subject, I can’t help but think I should have changed the title to, “Where are the resources available to improve your sheep operation?” Maybe I should begin by explaining what type of resource I am talking about. Natural resources are well, natural if you will. Financial resources come in many shapes. I suppose most people would consider a financial resource as a bank or a lending institution, I know my children would place me in this category, as well I as did my father when I was a youngster. Some would consider a financial resource as an investor or a broker which puzzles me a little, why do we call the person we invest and entrust with our money a “broker”? Shouldn’t they be called a multiplier? Anyway, I feel the most important resource to improve your sheep operation comes from other sheep producers. Whether it is at an official meeting, evening educational program or at Ohio Sheep Day, one cannot under estimate the value of talking with other like minded producers.

One thing that comes to mind when I mention the value of these programs is the efforts of Ohio Sheep Improvement Association (OSIA). This organization is the united voice of all Ohio Shepherds whether it be club lamb, purebred, commercial, breeding stock, or lamb feeder. Without the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, there would be no legislative voice for Ohio sheep producers, no Buckeye Shepherd Symposium, and without this organizations’ financial support, it would be difficult for OSU Extension to have Ohio Sheep Day and the District programs that take place around the state during the winter.

There are many levels of resources available to Ohio shepherds that are in place because of Ohio Sheep Improvements Association (OSIA). There is $1,000.00 of scholarship funds available yearly through the Ralph Grimshaw scholarship program. There is support for our Ohio youth by working with the Ohio FFA Foundation to sponsor the Ohio FFA Sheep Proficiency award. Educational programs such as Ohio Sheep Day, Buckeye Shepherd Symposium, District programs, Make It with Wool contest, The Ohio Sheep Producer newsletter, ASI newsletters, the list goes on with much, much more. And you, as an Ohio Shepherd can tap into these resources by joining Ohio Sheep Improvement Association to help make sure they are here for our future. For a small fee of $30.00 for individual, or $35.00 for a farm membership you get all these benefits listed plus reduced fees to participate in educational programs. Members also receive membership to The American Sheep Industry as well when joining OSIA.

Last, but certainly not least is the positive impacts OSIA has through legislative work at the state and national level to help protect our industry from special interest groups seeking to take sound, scientific backed management practices away from shepherds. Legislative work is funded and backed by membership numbers within OSIA. Two things have an impact when talking with legislators, financial impact on the area represented by them as well as how many people (potential voters) are being represented by the association. It dose not matter if you have 5 or 500 head (remember the average size flock in Ohio is about 26 head!). OSIA is there to represent you but we need your membership to do that. This is where you come into the picture by joining to help OSIA represent all sheep producers in Ohio.

Visit our web site at www.ohiosheep.org or call The OSIA at 1-614-246-8293 to join. If you join by April 20th you/your farm will be represented in our member directory for free that is distributed to all members in OSIA. Please help the Ohio Sheep Industry and do your duty as a shepherd to help protect your flock by joining today.

The Ohio Sheep Improvement Association
280 N. High St.
Columbus Ohio 43218
1-614-246-8293

Tim Fine, Extension Program Assistant, Miami County, Bob Hendershot, NRCS Grazing Specialist

There are two grazing schools coming up in April for graziers in different areas of Ohio. The first series of classes will be held April 6, 15, and 20 in Montgomery County and the second series will be held in Athens County on April 14, 16, 21, and 25.
For more information on the Montgomery County school, log onto http://montgomery.osu.edu and for the Athens County school, go to http://athens.osu.edu.

Roger High, Ohio Sheep Extension Program Specialist and Rory Lewandowski, Athens County Extension Educator

Plans are underway for the third Ohio Forage and Grasslands Sheep Farm Bus Tour to be held on Friday, July 10, 2009 in the Noble County area. This is of course the day before the Ohio Sheep Day event. The Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council, in cooperation with the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association is pleased to be able to bring this educational event to our sheep producers. As we continue the planning process, more information will be made available. Please visit our website at http://www.ohiosheep.org for more information.

Roger High, Ohio Sheep Extension Program Specialist and Rory Lewandowski, Athens County Extension Educator

What: Ohio Sheep Day
When: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Where: Eastern Agricultural Research Station (EARS)
16870 TR 126
Caldwell, OH 43724

The 2009 Ohio Sheep Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2009. It will be held on the Eastern Agricultural Research Station, located just outside of Caldwell, Ohio in Noble County. The Eastern Agricultural Research Station (EARS) formally named the Eastern Ohio Research and Development Center (EORDC) is the location of several Ohio Sheep Day programs held in the 1980’s. It was also the location of the Ohio Tested Ram Sale that was held for several years.

The Eastern Agricultural Research Station (EARS) was created to increase the agricultural income from the hills of eastern Ohio. To do so, scientists are making use of the region’s vast natural resources. Much of the land in this area not covered with timber but is best suited for production of forage grasses and legumes. Production of quality forages at low costs is a key factor for profitability in the area’s livestock enterprises.

Currently, the beef and sheep industries are top priorities at the Eastern Research Station. Scientists are studying forage management schemes that will extend the grazing season reducing the need for mechanically harvested forages. One group of 40 beef cows on an extended grazing rotation is under evaluation for nutrition and growth rates. Alternative forages such as grazing corn have also been analyzed.

Visitors to EARS during Ohio Sheep Day can expect to hear about the importance of economic analysis as a base to decision making.

The 2009 Ohio Sheep Day at the EARS operation will focus on forage demonstrations, grazing management and stored forage use. A partial list of what visitors will see includes:
• EARS Land and Facility Tour and Management Discussion
• Managing Coyotes and Black Vultures in Ohio
• Lamb Carcass Cuts and Lamb Cooking Demonstrations
• Utilization of Annuals and Perennials in a Pasture Management System
• Ruminant Nutritional Programs utilizing Dried Distillers Grains
• Marketing to the Ethnic Population
• Genetics of the EARS Sheep Operation
• Health Programs

There will also be vendors/exhibitors dealing with all aspects of sheep production.

Ohio Sheep Day will offer visitors the opportunity to visit a research farming operation that is dedicated to sheep and beef cattle production in a profitable way. Sheep owners and anyone interested in sheep management is cordially invited to Ohio Sheep Day at the EARS farm in the rolling hills of Noble County.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for July 10 as well as once again the Ohio Forage and Grassland Council will be sponsoring a pre Ohio Sheep Day tour of some area farms. More details will follow.
Ohio Sheep Day is sponsored by the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, Ohio Sheep and Wool Program, OSU Sheep Team, Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio State University Animal Sciences Department.
We look forward to seeing many sheep producers at the Ohio Sheep Day; it will be a day of
learning and gathering with other sheep friends. If you have any questions regarding Ohio Sheep
Day activities, please contact Roger A. High at (614)292-0589 or by email at high.1@osu,edu.
More Ohio Sheep Day information can be found on the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association
website at www.ohiosheep.org. A lamb luncheon is included as part of registration for the OhioSheep Day event.

Directions to Ohio Sheep Day:
From the west take U.S. 70 East to the Cambridge area and then U.S. 77 South to the Belle Valley Exit. 2 miles east of Belle Valley Exit off I-77 on SR 215 (Noble County, Ohio)
From the east take U.S. 70 West to the Cambridge area and then U.S. 77 South to the Belle Valley Exit. 2 miles east of Belle Valley Exit off I-77 on SR 215 (Noble County, Ohio)