by Sarabeth Parido Ten days. Dozens of destinations. Countless skeins of yarn, bags of fiber, new friendships, and miles traveled. That is the story of the 5th Annual Bluegrass Yarn and Fiber Crawl. From July 24 through August 2, fiber enthusiasts from near and far set out across the Bluegrass region to explore the people and places that make Kentucky’s fiber community so special. What began as an invitation to visit local fiber businesses has grown into a much larger celebra

Quite a few of us in the Southeast are still in the middle of some very hot, humid weather. For the most part that’s how summer is in Tennessee and Kentucky, along with the rest of the Southeast. Not only do we have hot weather to contend with, but we are also trying to breed sheep and goats during this time of year.

Ewes typically work 7 to 9 months of the year (5 months gestation and 2 to 4 months lactation). The rest of the time is spent on vacation.

The Bluegrass Yarn & Fiber Crawl kicks off this weekend and runs July 24 through August 2.

Attend the KSWPA Field Day August 15, 2026 to find out the answer! by: Harry Frederick, Winding Creek Farms Within the ever growing sheep industry, there is always the question of which management practice is most optimum- grass, confinement, or both. Each has pros and cons but a decision cannot be made without considering genetics. Some genetics allow for animals to be fed and pushed nutritionally in a feedlot and other genetics lend favor to more pasture based management. W

by Dr. Jerusha Lay, DVM Heat stress can have many negative effects on not only the health of livestock but also the production. The major production losses we see come in the form of decreased weight gain, lowered milk production, increased susceptibility to diseases and, most commonly, decreased fertility. During times of extreme heat, animals tend to spend more time laying around and less time up grazing; in combination, metabolic changes create less energy available for g

The KY Farm Launch program began the second round of cohorts in March. The program is designed for beginning farmers who have land and not sure what to do with it, or people who are still looking for property but want an enterprise in mind before purchase. Cohort started the first 6 weeks learning about business structure, record keeping, tax filing, marketing, business plans, and basic requirements for vegetable, beef, and small ruminant production. In May the participants b

by Sarah Carr, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Kentucky State University Figure 1: Crossbred Boer x Kiko kid. Crossbreeding is not just randomly mixing breeds and hoping that the offspring do well. Rather, crossbreeding is a deliberate management technique that can have significant impacts on production outcomes. Generally, when implementing a crossbreeding program, the goal would be to maximize specific attributes such as carcass characteristics or material traits. Crossbreed

It's time to start planning your summer fiber adventure! The Bluegrass Yarn & Fiber Crawl returns July 24 through August 2.

After a terrific event in 2025, the South-Central Katahdin Association is returning to Munfordville, Kentucky in 2026 for a field day and elite sheep sale on September 18th and 19th. The SCKA has once again partnered with the Kentucky Sheep and Wool Producers Association for a weekend packed with speakers, vendors, food, and fellowship. This year the board of directors has also voted to hold the annual business meeting during the field day. Again, the SCKA will host an elite

Masterson Station Park was overflowing with wool, laughter, full shopping bags, and the unmistakable energy that only festival weekend can bring! The 16th Annual Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival was a tremendous success. Despite a little Kentucky weather keeping us on our toes — with rain showers moving through on Saturday and summer heat arriving on Sunday — thousands of fiber enthusiasts, shepherds, artisans, families, and friends gathered for an unforgettable weekend cele

Ultimately “pretty good ewes” are those that make money. Money-making ewes are prolific, parasite resistant, maintain their health, and wean fast-growing, quality lambs.

By Sarabeth Parido One of the most beloved parts of the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival is back— workshops for 2026 are officially live! Each year, these classes offer a chance to slow down, learn something new, and spend time with others who share a love for fiber, creativity, and handmade work. Whether you’re brand new to fiber arts or have years of experience, this year’s workshop lineup has something to inspire you. Our 2026 workshops cover a wide range of fiber ar

Dr. Brady Campbell, Assistant Professor, The Ohio State University, State Small Ruminant Extension Specialist Here in the Buckeye state, I think it’s safe to say that spring has finally sprung and is here to stay! With more stable weather conditions and pastures beginning to green up, anticipation is building for spring turnout. Like many producers, we’re carefully watching forage growth and soil conditions as we approach the “running of the sheep”—the long awaited move from

Raising animals for fiber is a year-long commitment, with your fiber animals growing their fleeces over many months—only for it all to come off in just a few minutes. A well-prepared shearing day not only makes the process smoother, but also helps you get the highest quality (and value) from your fleeces. Here are some helpful tips.

by Jay Parsons, Tyler Cozzens January 21, 2026 Five years of data show lamb feeding margins have been difficult to sustain since 2020, with high feed costs and market volatility driving frequent losses. Seasonal timing and lower input costs remain critical for improving profitability. Photo: Real Ag Stock This article was first published as part of the Cornhusker Economics series by the Department of Agricultural Economics on Jan. 21, 2026. We are reposting it courtesy of

by Sarabeth Parido Work has already begun behind the scenes for the next Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival . The Festival Committee meets year-round to dream, plan, organize, and fine-tune all the details that make our weekend together feel seamless and welcoming. From coordinating vendors and workshops to organizing the fleece show and sale, contests, and community programming, there’s a lot that happens long before the gates open in May. As we begin shaping the 2026 festiva

Today there is a desire to control specific species of vegetation in many areas...the use of animals to graze or browse the vegetation to control it, called targeted or prescribed grazing. Prescribed grazing is the use of livestock to achieve desired vegetation management and landscaping goals. Targeted grazing is very similar but is usually used when a specific species is the focus.

Planning is already well underway for the 2026 Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival, May 16-17, 2026 Masterson Station Park in Lexington, KY.