American Sheep Magazine March 2026

CONVENTION COVERAGE 2026

ASI PRODUCTION, EDUCATION, AND RESEARCH COUNCIL

BY: MELANIE BARKLEY, AGRICULTURE EXTENSION EDUCATOR, PENN STATE EXTENSION

Co-chairs Kelvin Melvin and Patricia Sanville called the ASI PERC meeting to order on Thursday af ternoon of the ASI Convention. Andrew Weaver, Small Ruminant Extension Specialist from North Carolina, began the meeting with “A Roadmap to Integrated Par asite Management.” He gave an overview of the chal lenges posed by parasites to the sheep industry. He also explained how a better understanding of the life cycles of Haemonchus contortus and Coccidia will equip produc ers to better manage these parasites within their flocks. He recommended that producers follow an integrated management approach by maintaining pasture at four inches or higher, rotating every three to five days to avoid larvae at the L3 stage, providing a 45-day or more rest period between grazings, targeting treatment to only animals that require treatment, using the Five Point Check©, and following proper drenching procedures. Overall, producers should develop a plan and regularly evaluate results. Following his presentation, he posed questions to a panel of two producers. Brittany Diehl, DVM, clinical assistant professor and small ruminant specialist at the University of Florida, and Reid Redden, of Premier Solar Sheep in Texas, shared their experiences with managing internal parasites in their different environments. Brit tany recommended putting your hands on the animals to check for body condition and their FAMACHA© score. She also suggested conducting fecal egg counts and checking packed cell volume. Reid focuses on times when animals are likely to have higher FAMACHA© scores and monitors his flock for thin or lethargic ani mals. Other recommendations included keeping good records and culling sheep that require repeat treatments.

Both agreed that genetics plays an important role and that producers should select rams with parasite resistance. Jake Thorne, Extension Sheep and Goat Specialist from Texas A & M, moderated a panel for “Tradition Meets Tomorrow: Strategies for Sustainable Growth.” Grant Azevedo from Mission Lamb in California, Kade Hodges from Hodges Livestock and Solar Grazing Solu tions in Texas, and Kyle Hurley from Hurley Farms, Iowa served on the panel. Panelists shared their per spectives on overcoming challenges in their operations, caring for the land through environmental stewardship and economic sustainability, using technology, practic ing genetic selection, and adapting to changing markets. Panelists also shared which old-school technology they couldn’t do without, how many sheep per employee they have in their operation, and one piece of advice for new producers. Their advice ranged from keeping tradition in mind but not being afraid to try something new, to doing what it takes to keep the operation going, even if it requires change, to figuring out what works for you in your situation and then making good sheep that will work for you. The final topic for the meeting was “Sheep IQ: A Collaborative Educational Initiative by ALB and ASI.” Camren Maierle and Megan Wortman from the Amer ican Lamb Board explained that “Sheep IQ” will serve as a hub for information from trusted resources that sheep producers can access for education, workshops, and podcasts. The American Lamb Board will fund this project in collaboration with the American Sheep Industry Association.

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