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From Lambing School to Risk Management Education: Building Sheep and Goat Programming in Utah

Animal Science

Ashley Longmore
Extension Assistant Professor
Utah State University
Brigham City

Abstract

The growing number of small-scale and beginning sheep and goat producers in Utah often lack access to practical training in flock management, newborn veterinary care, and risk management strategies. To address this need, Utah State University Extension adapted a hands-on educational framework originally developed by JJ Jones at Oklahoma State University to create statewide Lambing and Kidding Schools. These two-day workshops combined classroom instruction with on-farm experiential learning in reproduction, disease management, nutrition, genetics, enterprise budgeting, and lambing and kidding procedures. The workshops were delivered at three locations across Utah in counties with the highest regional sheep populations, using adjacent university or producer flocks during peak lambing season to provide hands-on experiences. The initial workshops reached more than 90 producers from Utah and neighboring states, with most reporting increased knowledge and confidence in lambing and kidding management. Each participant received a lambing and kidding kit valued at approximately $80 containing essential supplies to assist with neonatal care during the first 48 hours of life. These kits allowed participants to immediately apply skills learned during the workshop to improve newborn survival and animal health outcomes. Post-program evaluations demonstrated strong producer interest in additional advanced training, with participants identifying parasite management, reproductive efficiency, and marketing as priority topics. Building on this demand, Utah State University Extension secured funding through the Western Extension Risk Management Education program to expand programming into a comprehensive sheep and goat educational series. The expanded program includes six workshops addressing reproduction, marketing and carcass evaluation, herd health, lambing and kidding management, nutrition, and parasite control. Each workshop incorporates subject matter specialists from across the region and country to provide advanced technical instruction and hands-on demonstrations. This presentation highlights program development, curriculum design, statewide delivery strategies, and lessons learned in building a scalable educational model for small ruminant producers. Attendees will gain practical insight into replicating the program in other states, including strategies for partnerships, hands-on demonstrations, lambing and kidding kits, and funding support for producer education.

Authors: Ashley Longmore, Chad Page, Ryan Spurling, Jacob Hadfield, Josh Dallin, Ryan Fuez
  1. Ashley Longmore Extension Assistant Professor- Box Elder County Agriculture and Natural Resources, Utah State University, Utah, 84302
  2. Chad Page Assistant Professor, Extension Specialist Small Ruminants, Utah State University, Utah, 84322
  3. Ryan Spurling PhD Candidate, Utah State University, Utah, 84322
  4. Jacob Hadfield Extension Associate Professor- Utah County Agriculture and Natural Resources, Utah State University, Utah, 84322
  5. Josh Dallin Extension Associate Professor- Bastian Center Director, Utah State University, Utah, 84095
  6. Ryan Fuez Assistant Professor, Applied Economics, Utah State University, Utah, 84322