Spring is still the time when the majority of lambs and kids are born in the U.S., according to Dr. Angela Varnum, University of Minnesota Extension educator and livestock veterinarian. That also makes it a good time of year to help producers prepare for what can sometimes be a stressful time.
Watch a short video on this topic on Extension's YouTube channel.
To create a low-stress environment in which even difficult births end in learning rather than loss, Varnum and other Extension educators make use of a lambing simulator, a life-sized fiberglass sheep with three lambs that can be placed inside to mimic the time of giving birth. “I’m very thankful to the American Sheep Industry and their Young and Emerging Entrepreneur Committee that lent us the simulator so we could put on these workshops,” says Varnum.
This spring, Extension hosted lambing and kidding workshops in Buffalo, Jordan, Long Prairie and Owatonna. No more workshops are planned at the moment, but interested parties may want to subscribe to Extension’s Small Farms newsletter to learn of future offerings.
Working with veterinarians
The experience helps small ruminant producers understand the difference between normal and abnormal situations. Sheep and goats have multiple young born at the same time, and they can become tangled, among other situations. With the simulator, participants learn to reach into the reproductive tract to identify and feel animal parts, and sometimes correct their placement in the womb.
Educated clients also help keep work manageable for veterinarians, who Varnum says are spread thin these days. “I've been in private veterinary practice,” says Varnum. “I’d like to help veterinarians to help more people. Clients who have been through this kind of hands-on education may be able to consult with the veterinarian over the phone, and be more confident in knowing when they do or don't need help.”
Another concern for producers is having the confidence to know when something requires a veterinarian’s help, or when this is a normal birthing process. “It’s about being able to understand the puzzle that tangled lambs or kids present before trying to pull and remove those in an emergency,” says Varnum.
For all experience levels
Katelyn Koplen raises goats with her family and for her 4-H projects as a member of the Helping Hands 4-H Club in Scott County. Two of her does are pregnant right now. “I came here to make myself more confident if I’m the only one home when it starts happening,” she says.
Most participants had less than five years of experience with sheep and goats and owned between one and 25 head. 4-H’ers have a lot of interest in sheep and goats.
“Oftentimes, they are the ones who are watching their sheep or their goats the closest,” says Varnum. “They know when something looks wrong, and even though they may not have all of the tools to be able to fix a really challenging birth, they can have the tools to be able to decide when they need to call for help or not.”
The workshops reach experienced producers, too. Star Nelson, coordinator at MN Grazing Lands Conservation Association, and Denny Nelson, who works in livestock nutrition and is also very experienced, attended the workshop in Jordan. They shared their knowledge with less experienced participants. They also practiced some challenging scenarios they have faced before – without any of the panic of the real-life situation.
“The hands-on experience is really helpful,” says Star.
Success boosts farm productivity
When small ruminants successfully give birth, especially to multiple animals, that's more potential wool, meat or milk per ewe or doe.
Survivability is a big factor in how productive our farms are, how many of our young animals survive. “Being born is actually a very big, risky process,” says Varnum. “So if we can increase the number of animals that are born alive, we can boost the productivity of our own small ruminant operations.”
High marks for lambing and kidding workshops
Post-workshop surveys showed:
- 97% would recommend the program to others.
- 100% of participants reported knowing some or much about how to assist with lambing and kidding after the event, as compared to 54% before.
- 100% or producers who currently owned or managed small ruminants reported the intention to make a change in their farm management practices after the event.
- "Wonderful — informative — well run. Topics are exactly what's on my mind as a small flock owner. Hope you do more of these — you are great teachers."
Workshops were delivered in Jordan (pictured), Buffalo, Owatonna and Long Prairie by Dr. Angela Varnum, Extension educator and veterinarian, and Extension educators Colleen Carlson, Brenda Miller, Ryan Lermon, and Karen Johnson.
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