02/06/2026
Registration is now open for the "Sheep & Goat Genetic Improvement Field Day" (www.uaex.uada.edu/smallruminantgenetics), one of the premier events of its kind that has ever taken place in the U.S. Don’t miss the opportunity to learn from top researchers, ask questions, develop networks, and participate in live demonstrations on how to put into practice the available technology to increase productivity and profit. It’s free of charge. It will be on February 27th (Friday) at Heifer Ranch (55 Heifer Rd, Perryville, Central Arkansas), from 9:30 am to 3:30 pm. Check the tentative agenda below. Lambing/kidding season will make things a bit complicated, I know, but it is a reschedule from a previous date, and we have a tight deadline established by the funding agency. So, plan in advance to attend it.
Sheep & Goat Genetic Improvement Field Day
Heifer Ranch, Perryville, Arkansas
9:30 am: Welcome, Christine Hernandez, Heifer Ranch; Blake Erbach and Dr. Dan Quadros, University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture; Dr. Jake Thorne, Texas A&M
9:45 am: Economic benefits of using rams/bucks with EBVs, Dr. Tom Murphy, USDA/ARS
10:30 am: Breakdown sessions I: Collecting and recording data
Parasites: FAMACHA system, Dr. Joan Burke, Sheep Management Solutions, LLC
Parasites: Collecting and submitting f***l samples, f***l egg counting methodology, body condition scoring, Dr. Dan Quadros, UADA
12:00 pm Lunch and learn: Implementing an on-farm genetic improvement program, Dr. James Morgan, Sheep Management Solutions, LLC
1:00 pm: Breakdown sessions II: Collecting and recording data
Growth performance: types of ID and RFID, number of lambs born/weaned, birth weight, weaning weight, postweaning weight and collecting tissue, Heifer Ranch; Texas A&M University; UofA
Buying rams with good genetics: visual assessment vs. EBVs, Dr. Joan Burke, Sheep Management Solutions, LLC
Using ultrasound for pregnancy check and carcass evaluation, Dr. Jake Thorne, Texas A&M AgriLife
2:30 pm: The future development of the NSIP, Dr. Tom Murphy, USDA/ARS and Dr. Jake Thorne, Texas A&M AgriLife
3:00 pm: Producer Panel: Using Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) to improve economically important traits, TBA
3:30 pm: Adjourn
Optional, 3:30 p.m - 4:30 pm: One-on-one with experts: Learn more about the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP)
Dr. Tom Murphy, USDA/ARS
Dr. Joan Burke, Sheep Management Solutions, LLC
Dr. James Morgan, Sheep Management Solutions, LLC
Dr. Jake Thorne, Texas A&M AgriLife
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service Department Of Animal Science - UA
Texas A&M AgriLife Sheep and Goat Extension
U.S. Department of Agriculture
Heifer USA
American Sheep Industry Association
Southern SARE
