Sheep and goat numbers are booming in Kentucky! To help producers get off on the right hoof, the Kentucky Sheep and Goat Development Office offers SRPS. This online course gives new producers knowledge on a wide range of topics that are vital to the success of all goat and sheep operations.
Whether you are just beginning or have been in business for a few years, SRPS Can help you increase profits with small ruminants in 6 months by using proven management practices for southeast US production focusing on critical areas of nutrition, reproduction, and parasite management
Why is SRPS for You?
Beginning small ruminant producers generally fall into two camps:
Dreamers
Folks still dreaming about starting a sheep or goat operation and want more information before purchasing.
Need to know:
1) Advantages of sheep and goats
2) Expectations of ownership
3) Necessary facilities, equipment, and time
4) How to smoothly add sheep and goats into your farming operation
Frustrated Beginner
Folks who have sheep and/or goats already, but they are frustrated because things aren/t going the way they expected.
Need to know:
1) The main cause of frustration
2) How to re-align expectations to goals
3) How to overcome the overwhelm
SRPS is the solution!
SRPS provides:
1) clear understanding of the current sheep and goat industries so you know which species, breed, and type of operation will fit your goals
2) clear and concise production and marketing information in one convenient spot so you don't have to hunt and peck for answers that are most likely not even applicable
3) curated production and marketing strategies based on proven practices that are successful in the southeast US
4) and most importantly, clearly outlined management plans to take all the guesswork out of production cycles resulting in less overwhelm and a clear path to success
Bonuses:
1) course includes many downloadable resources for financial management, production record keeping, and general information
2) process of completing a business/marketing plan is incorporated so you are ready to apply for cost share and grant programs
3) SRPS Coaching calls are offered every 4th Friday to help answer questions or develop your business plan
4) SPRS Group allows participants to ask questions, share experiences, and gain a network of other like minded friends
5) Certificate of Completion is available
6) SRPS graduates are eligible for a $2000, 0% interest loan to help purchase breeding stock and/or guardian dogs
“I just wanted you all to know that as of today, we finished up our first lambing--16 lambs in 11 days (9 ewes). It went better than I could have hoped. I know we have a long way to go, and I realize that we had a lot of beginners luck, but, what I learned through you all made all the difference. We'd been planning and hoping to expand, but a miserable or awful first lambing might have discouraged us. Now, I think we will do it. ”
--Sue, Cynthiana, KY
“I am really glad our son has had this wonderful opportunity to start his small ruminant learning process. I have a feeling he will be taking at least one of his teen sons to another one in the future. ”
--Paul, Leitchfield, KY
Course Fee: $155 one time or $13.50/month for 12 months
Interested in getting SRPS for FREE? Check out the KSU Farmer Education Grant!
SRPS consists of 15 online modules:
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Module 1: Welcome to SRPS
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Module 2: Industry Overview
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Module 3: Breeds of Goats & Sheep (including pros & cons for the most popular breeds in Kentucky)
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Module 4: Market Trends & Niche Marketing
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Module 5: Facilities and Fencing
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Module 6: Guardian Animals
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Module 7: Health Management
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Module 8: Foot Care and Hoof Trimming
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Module 9: Nutrition (on-site class)
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Module 10: Quality Assurance- NEW: the KY SRQA program is now part of SRPS
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Module 11: NEW: the Basics to Small Ruminant Parasite Management course is now included with SRPS
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Module 12: Reproduction, Genetics & Selection, Birthing Difficulties, and Care of Newborns
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Module 13: Record Keeping
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Module 14: Mating Systems
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Module 15: Annual Production Plans
Plus:
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Numerous additional resources on rotational grazing, pasture management, handling, and much more!
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New!- Pit Stops to help develop business plans necessary for local, state, and federal grant applications.
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New!- SRPS Coaching Calls to allow participants to ask questions or get help with business plan development
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New! SRPS Group where participants can interact with one another
Additional Opportunities
There are some topics like body condition scoring, FAMACHA Certification, fecal egg testing, and proper handling that cannot be taught via a computer. Therefore, we highly encourage SRPS students to participate in our in-person classes/workshops/clinics/field days.
You can learn more about these events from our calendar of event.
SRPS gave me a much better understanding of what to expect going into this completely green
SRPS helped me gain the confidence I needed to begin my operation.
This course was very helpful to me. There was so much information and knowledge that I learned and wouldn't have normally thought about because of this class. The power points were very helpful to me, It gave me a paper copy to go back and read and review after the videos were watched. All the presented material gave me a wonderful reference to get some extra studying done.
I feel like this was very helpful! I hope to continue to look back at the videos and learn again. I feel so much more confident and I feel set up for success!
Course Completion
A certificate of completion will be issued to all students who complete the 15 modules.
Completion is accomplished when all online module evaluations have been submitted and the on-site class attended. Note: FSA Loan participants do not have to attend an in-person class and the certificate of completion is optional.
KSWPA and KGPA members who register will have LIFETIME access to the online course materials as long as membership is maintained.
Instructors:
Dr. Don Ely, Professor, Sheep Coordinator and Ruminant Nutrition
University of Kentucky
Dr. Beth Johnson, DVM
Staff Veterinarian
Kentucky Department of Agriculture, Office of State Veterinarian
Education:
MS, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Mississippi State University, 1982-1989
Course Fee: $155 one time or $13.50/month for 12 months
Includes SRPS, SRQA, and
Basics to Parasite Management classes!
Interested in getting SRPS for FREE? Check out the KSU Farmer Education Grant!