goats on grass

Episode 161. Integrated Pest Management in Idaho Flocks

In this episode of Voices from the Field, NCAT Livestock Specialist Dave Scott has a conversation with Caleb Pirc of Good Shepherd Farm in Meridian, Idaho, about integrated pest-management strategies for their sheep operations. Dave, who, among other duties, works with NCAT’s ATTRA sustainable-agriculture program out of NCAT headquarters in Butte, Montana, is the co-owner of Montana Highland Lamb near Whitehall, Montana.

Caleb, who also is the director of governmental affairs for the Idaho Wool Growers Association, raises registered Katahdin. He and Dave talk about reducing parasites in their flocks through grazing strategies, selective deworming, and selecting for genetic resistance in their animals, including the use of the National Sheep Improvement Program’s Estimated Breeding Values.

We’d appreciate it if you would take a few minutes to complete a brief survey to let us know what you thought of the content we’ve presented here. For more information on this topic, you can contact Dave Scott directly at daves@ncat.org.

Related ATTRA Resources:

Integrated Parasite Management: Train the Trainer

FAMACHA Out West

Ruminant Pest Management

Livestock and Pasture

Sheep and Goats

Animal Health and Nutrition

 

Other Resources:

Good Shepherd Farm

Sheep Things Podcast

Idaho Wool Growers Association

Katahdin Hair Sheep International

Rocky Mountain Katahdin Association

National Sheep Improvement Program

National Sheep Improvement Program Estimated Breeding Values

Western Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education

Please call ATTRA with any and all of your sustainable agriculture questions at 800-346-9140 or e-mail us at askanag@ncat.org. Our two dozen specialists can help you with a vast array of topics, everything from farm planning to pest management, from produce to livestock, and soils to aquaculture.

You can get in touch with NCAT/ATTRA specialists and find our other extensive, and free, sustainable-agriculture publications, webinars, videos, and other resources at NCAT/ATTRA’s website.

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