KSWPA held a field day in Franklin, KY on August 15th hosted by New Slate Land Management

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

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

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

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.

By Dr. Gary Bates, Director- UT Beef & Forage Center Debbie Joines, former Manager- Soil, Plant & Pest Center (Article previously published in vol. 27 of HoofPrint Spring 2017) Hay is one of the necessary evils of livestock production. Even with the best forage programs, there will be certain times when some hay needs to be fed. If you are going to have to feed it, it is important to know the characteristics of good hay. Regardless of the forage species, good hay has certa

by Clint Quarles Attorney, Kentucky Department of Agriculture The expression is old, and has been preserved over time because it works and is good guidance. If everyone followed this advice, however, the fence law in the commonwealth wouldn’t be needed. I have been with the Kentucky Department of Agriculture close to 18 years. In that time, rarely a week goes by that I don’t have several calls or emails about the fence law and its applicability. The calls and the outcomes f

Reprint of News to Ewes in HoofPrint vol. 28 Summer 2017 edition by Dr. Donald G. Ely, Department of Animal and Food Sciences, University of Kentucky Introduction Approximately 90% of the annual diet consumed by sheep around the world is made up of roughage, either as grass forage consumed in pastures, forage harvested as hay, or silage (haylage). Sheep producers whose forage base is a “cool season” grass, such as bluegrass, orchardgrass, fescue, timothy, and/or bromegrass,

Goats, Sheep, Cattle, Guardian Animals, and Other Livestock reprinted from HoofPrint magazine vol. 25 Fall 2016 by Greg Brann, Grazing and Soil Health Specialist Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it is important for every producer to know his/her vision. Consider your vision with every decision- every time you make a purchase or pursue an activity ask if the decision will lead you closer to your vision. Here are a series of questions to consider when stocking your l

Can Western-Style Range Flocks Thrive In The Appalachians? by Sheep Industry News Originally published in Sheep Industry News, July 2022 – Reprinted with permission from the American Sheep Industry (ASI) Before King Coal reigned in the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky – and surrounding areas – sheep were a common sight. Patrick Angel hopes the small ruminants can be a part of reviving the region as the country moves away from coal as a primary energy source. The ret