182 North Carolina Small Ruminant Improvement Program Workshops Build Producer Knowledge of Important Management Techniques

Abstract Growing interest in small ruminant production, strong market demand, and producers’ minimal use of data-driven management practices led to the development North Carolina Small Ruminant Improvement Program (NCSRIP) 2021. This program seeks improve number quality ruminants produced as well producer profitability. Three workshops were held increase awareness new production opportunities. All included classroom breakout sessions featuring hands-on activities. In February 2022, Lambing Kidding Workshop was cooperation with NC Sheep Producers Association at State Educational Unit (Raleigh, NC). Topics pre-lambing/kidding management, lambing kidding diseases, birthing process, dystocia lamb/kid processing. The Flock Management May on a working sheep farm near Dobson, NC. Attendees learned about hay sampling analysis, ration balancing, flock health cost share resources for operations. June, NCSRIP joined Eastern Alliance Production Katahdins host grazing school Roxboro, agenda featured predator regulatory considerations, herding dog use, parasite genetic selection, soil pasture management. pre-registrations 162 65 attending events 63 evaluations completed. Fifty-six percent participants owned 1-50 breeding females. Twenty-seven had no livestock but gathering information future endeavors. Fifty-seven operations sheep, 13.0% raised goats, 7.4% cattle 22.4% grazed combinations all species. producers lived Piedmont region while 14.3% resided Coastal region, 2.9% from Mountain 25.7% out state. Post-workshop asked attendees rank their increased understanding each major topic. On scale 1 5 (1 = improvement significant improvement), indicated they topics (mean 4.18). When participating events, suggested would attend 4.62; will not participate if possible). what like most these workshops, mentioned approach practical knowledge gained. Producer feedback indicates growing need continued education programs.