Sheep and Goat Program

Small Ruminants

Extension educational programs for sheep and goat producers in Western Maryland are conducted by Susan Schoenian, Area Agent. Susan holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in Animal Science from Virginia Tech and Montana State University, respectively. She has been with University of Maryland Cooperative Extension since 1988. Susan currently serves on the MD-DE Scrapie Certification Board, the Goat Committee of the American Sheep Industry Association, and the Board of Directors of the Maryland Sheep Breeders Association as an ex-officio member. She is co-marketing coordinator for the Northeast Sheep & Goat Marketing Project.

OUTREACH AND EXTENSION PROGRAMS

Maryland Small Ruminant Page
The purpose of the Maryland Small Ruminant Page, sheepandgoat.com, is to provide information resources for sheep and goat producers and others interested in the industry. The site consists of original documents and images as well as a comprehensive list of links pertaining to small ruminants.

Maryland Sheep and Goat Producer Newsletter
The Maryland Sheep & Goat Producer is published bi-monthly by the Western Maryland Research & Education Center. It is edited by Susan Schoenian. Contributors include Dr. Niki Whitley, Extension Animal Scientist at the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Willie Lantz, Ag Program Coordinator at Garrett College.

Maryland Sheep and Goat Directory
Maryland Cooperative Extension is developing a directory of sheep and goat producers. The purpose of the directory will be to help producers sell breeding stock, market animals, and other sheep and goat products, and to help potential buyers locate the same. The directory will be open to all breeds of sheep and goats and all products derived from sheep and goats. Directory listings are FREE. Producers in nearby states may have listings in the directory if they conduct business in Maryland.

Small Ruminant IPM
The Western Maryland Research & Education Center recently received a Northeast SARE grant to conduct a three year research and education project related to Integrated Parasite Management (IPM) in sheep and goats. The primary goal of the grant project will be to teach producers how to perform their own fecal egg counts and to apply the FAMACHA technique to their animals to determine the need for anthelmintic treatment. IPM workshops will be held at various locations in Maryland and possibly neighboring states. The project will also involve on-farm studies to test for anthelmintic resistance and to determine the effectiveness of various treatments and management practices.

Northeast Sheep and Goat Marketing Project
The Northeast Sheep & Goat Marketing Program was established at Cornell University in January 2001 to improve the marketing infrastructure for sheep and goat producers in the twelve northeastern states. The program was funded by the Lamb Meat Adjustment Assistance Program. Accomplishments have included regional marketing conferences, development of a sheep and goat marketing web site (http://www.sheepgoatmarketing.org/) and small ruminant listserv, establishment of several marketing pools and tele-auctions, development of a restraining device for religious slaughter, and a poster depicting humane handling and slaughter of sheep and goats.

4-H and Youth Programs
The 4-H/FFA Meat Goat Show at the Maryland State Fair includes fitting and showing classes for children of different ages and classes for market goats and breeding animals. The market classes are open to any doe or wether less than 12 months of age and weighing between 40 and 110 lbs. Breeding classes are open to any breed or crossbreed of goat. No registration papers will be required. There will be classes for junior and senior doe kids, yearling does, does over 2 years of age, and buck kids. Blunted or tipped horns are allowed in all meat goat classes. Six goats will be eligible to sell in the 4-H livestock auction at the state fair, including the market goat having the highest rate of gain. There will also be an award given to the "best" meat goat educational exhibit.

Multi-State Programs
Maryland Cooperative Extension works with other states to conduct educational programs for sheep and goat producers in the Mid-Atlantic.

Susan Schoenian
University of Maryland
Western Maryland Research & Education Center
18330 Keedysville Road
Keedysville, Maryland 21756-1104
Phone: 301-432-2767 x343
Fax: 301-432-4089

For more information, contact Cindy Mason

Last updated: 05/18/2006