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

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 C

Exploring the Synergy Between Solar and a Growing Sheep Industry By Camren Maierle Introduction As the world grapples with the twin challenges of Increasing energy demand and food security, innovative solutions that bridge the gap between renewable energy and sustainable agriculture are gaining traction. Among these solutions, agrivoltaics—the practice of combining solar energy generation with agricultural production—stands out for its remarkable potential. Within this fiel

The 2025 Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival Returns May 17–18 The countdown is on! The 2025 Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival is just around the corner, taking place next month—May 17–18—at Masterson Station Park in Lexington. As we prepare to celebrate our 15th year, we’re excited to continue building on the traditions that have made this event so special! For those who are new to the festival, the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival was created to showcase the state’s rich far

by Sarabeth Parido Entering a fleece competition is a great way to showcase the beauty and quality of the wool you produce. Each year, the Kentucky Sheep and Fiber Festival hosts a variety of competitions, including those for wool, alpaca, and mohair fleeces. If you’ve ever considered entering but weren’t sure where to start, this guide will walk you through the process. Why Enter a Fleece Competition? Competing in a fleece competition is an opportunity to: Gain recognition f

by Sarabeth Parido Shearing season is here once again! Shepherds are gathering up bags of wool, and hand spinners are on the lookout for their next great fleece. But what makes a fleece stand out? And how can you, as a shepherd, make sure your wool is top-notch for spinners? While there are some buyers who want the fleece as fresh off your animals as possible, you may need to prep your fiber a bit to get the most value for your wool. Whether you're into fiber arts or raising

By Donald G. Ely Department of Animal and Food Sciences University of Kentucky Creep feeding is a technique of providing feed to nursing lambs to supplement the milk they consume. Creep-fed lambs grow faster than noncreep-feds and are more aggressive in nursing ewes. This aggression stimulates greater ewe milk production which, in turn, increases creep feed intake because these lambs will be bigger at a given ages. Typically, the creep diet is a grain-protein supplement m