From Pasture to Profit: Small Ruminant Course Advances Sheep and Goat Management Across Missouri

Sheep cluster closely together at Lincoln University’s George Washington Carver Farm during a hands-on training session.

As more farmers and producers look to sheep and goats as sustainable and profitable livestock options, Lincoln University of Missouri (LU) hosted a Small Ruminant Practical Course this fall.

The free, full-day event brought 75 participants to LU’s George Washington Carver Farm for research-based instruction in grazing management, nutrition, parasite prevention and marketing — taught through a mix of expert presentations and hands-on field demonstrations.

The morning session kicked off with Dr. Homero Salinas, state Extension specialist with LU’s Small Ruminant Program, who introduced attendees to rotational grazing systems designed for Missouri pastures. Salinas explained how dividing pastures into smaller paddocks and rotating animals strategically helps maximize forage growth, improve soil health and maintain livestock performance throughout the grazing season.

Farmers and producers from across Missouri gather for the Small Ruminant Practical Course at Lincoln University’s George Washington Carver Farm.

“You’re managing grass and soil first — then the animals,” said Salinas, stressing strong pastures lead to productive herds.

A mid-morning panel followed, focusing on real-world grazing challenges such as balancing cool- and warm-season forages, ensuring water access and managing drought conditions. Panelists Dr. Ken Coffey, Dr. Steve Meredith, Chris Boeckmann and Dr. Chandan Shilpakar shared insights from their work with producers and discussed practical strategies for improving grazing systems.

Dr. Ken Coffey, professor of animal science at the University of Arkansas, gave a presentation on nutrition and winter feeding strategies for sheep and goats, telling participants that when it comes to nutrition, quality forage matters most.

“They’re ruminant animals — they’re designed to eat forages,” Coffey said. “You can’t supplement your way out of poor forage.”

He explained that sheep and goats rely on energy from hay and pasture more than on added protein or commercial supplements. During winter feeding, he advised producers to keep things simple — focus on good hay and avoid overcomplicating diets with unnecessary additives.

Dr. Ken Coffey, professor of animal science at the University of Arkansas, explains winter feeding strategies for sheep and goats during the Small Ruminant Practical Course.

Next, Jennifer Lutes, agricultural business field specialist with University of Missouri Extension, discussed sheep and goat market trends. She encouraged producers to track production costs, maintain customer relationships and set prices reflecting both value and profit.

A second panel followed, featuring Linda Coffey, Brian Schweiss, Glenda DeShon, Colleen Meredith and Christopher Boeckmann, who shared real-world perspectives on direct sales, pricing and market opportunities.

Boeckmann, LU farm superintendent and panelist, added, “If you’re going to sell direct, make sure your product, your message and your presentation stay the same every time. That’s what builds trust with buyers.”

A participant focuses on learning sheep and goat management techniques and takes notes during the Small Ruminant Practical Course.

In the afternoon, Dr. Mohan Acharya, state Extension and research specialist of LU’s Small Ruminant Program, led a session on managing internal parasites. He explained how overusing dewormers can create drug resistance and cost producers both time and money. Through a discussion on fecal egg counts, Acharya showed how simple testing helps farmers identify resistant parasites and make treatment decisions based on evidence rather than habit.

Participants moved outdoors for hands-on training in animal health assessment. Salinas and Linda Coffey, a livestock specialist with the National Center for Appropriate Technology, spoke of how internal parasites, particularly the barber pole worm, can cause anemia in sheep and goats.

Using the FAMACHA scoring system, they showed how checking the color of the lower eyelid helps detect anemia early — with a pale shade signaling treatment may be needed.

Participants learn to check sheep for amenia by examining eyelid color during a FAMACHA scoring demonstration at Lincoln University’s Small Ruminant Practical Course.

The session continued with a demonstration on body condition scoring, a hands-on method used to evaluate livestock’s overall health and nutrition. By feeling along the spine and ribs, producers can determine whether a sheep or goat is underfed, overweight or maintaining a healthy condition.

To close the day, participants turned their attention to the pastures. Salinas led a demonstration on using a grazing stick, a tool that helps estimate how much forage is available and how large a paddock should be. By combining field measurements with observation, producers can make more informed decisions about when to move animals and how to maintain healthy grass growth.

Dr. Homero Salinas demonstrates how to use a grazing stick to estimate forage height and determine paddock size during the Small Ruminant Practical Course at Lincoln University.

Many attendees said they left the course with knowledge they could put to work right away. Among them were Eric and Holly Bieri of California, Missouri, who recently expanded their cattle operation to include 120 sheep earlier this year.

“Walking into the field and having them out there is peaceful. We love it,” said Holly Bieri. “It’s been a new adventure for our family.”

Supported through grants awarded to Lincoln University by the North Central Region Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (NCR-SARE) program, the Small Ruminant Practical Course showcased the impact of Cooperative Extension in connecting farmers and producers with the latest research and practical solutions.

For more information on small ruminants, please contact Dr. Homero Salinas at Salinas-GonzalezH@LincolnU.edu.

Photos by Jenny Marie Lawrence. Click here to view the full gallery.