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.

by Sarabeth Parido Looking for meaningful, handmade, locally produced gifts this Christmas? Skip the big-box stores and discover the heart and soul of local fiber arts with the Kentucky Fiber Trail — a year-round guide to some of the best fiber farms, yarn shops, and artisan studios across the Commonwealth.  The holidays are the perfect time to explore the trail and support Kentucky makers who pour their creativity, skill, and tradition into every skein, fleece, and finished

By Sarabeth Paraido As we head into the fall and holiday season, many will start to handcraft their gifts for loved ones.   For those who raise their own fiber animals,  this is a wonderful expression of their creativity and love for both their animals and the ones they are gifting their items with.  One of the most magical parts of working with fiber is watching wool transform—from a soft, creamy fleece to vibrant yarn full of depth and life. Natural dyeing is a craft of tra

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