Hands-On Small Ruminant Care
Mifflin County Youth Park - Reedsville, Mifflin County
Friday-Saturday, October 23-24
Friday 10:00am – 5:00pm, Saturday 9:00am – 11:00 am
Friday $60 PASA members, $75 all others
Saturday $25 PASA members, $35 all others
Register for both days: $75 PASA members, $100 all others
Lunch on Friday and handouts will be provided. Friday registration is limited.
This Intensive is coordinated in conjunction with the 2nd Annual Mid-Atlantic Hair Sheep Sale, which will commence Saturday afternoon. For more information or to participate in the sale, contact Cadie Pruss at acadia@lcworkshop.com (preferred), 717-242-4154, or see http://hairsheepsale.blogspot.com/.
Friday's topics will include hoof care & trimming, kidding & lambing, necropsy, and nutrition. The hoof care session will include a discussion on hoof architecture, common problems and treatments, followed by a trimming demonstration and a chance for hands-on practice. Participants will take part in a birthing simulation including discussion of possible birthing complications. A necropsy will be performed, affording the class an opportunity to understand more fully the causes of animal loss and the effects of disease and parasite loads. Using the necropsy findings, participants will work together, creating strategic plans to minimize risks on their own farms. The nutrition discussion will cover the relationship between nutrition and disease prevention, as well as how to discern the qualities of different types of feed, hay, and forages.
Saturday morning’s session will focus on herd management, preventing parasite infestations. Beginning with a discussion of the life cycle and biology of parasites, participants will learn about the basic classes of dewormers and how resistance among parasites develops. Microscopes will be available for looking at fecal egg counts and Dr. Van Saun will explain different ways to monitor and prevent parasites and worms.
Robert Van Saun, DVM, Penn State Extension Veterinarian and Professor of Veterinary Science, specializes in small ruminant pregnancy nutrition and its influence on health, production and reproduction; metabolic diseases and their prevention; and preventive medicine programs.
David Wolfgang, VMD, Penn State Field Studies Director and Extension Veterinarian, specializes in disease prevention and herd health, cost-effective delivery of veterinary services to producers, and farm-based improvements to herd health.
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