Poop science for sheep and goat producers

What: Pooper Scooper 101

When: July 27, 10 a.m. – noon

Where: Burning Daylight Draft Farm, 37272 20th Ave., Dennison, MN 55018

Speakers:

• Kari Ripley-Boysen, Unruly Earth Farm, Webster. Kari attended Argosy University for an Associates in Veterinary Technology, has experience working in a veterinary clinic as a vet tech, and hands on with her own pet and farm animals. Trained in FAMACHA.
• Lindsey Zemanek, Burning Daylight Draft Farm, Dennison. Lindsey and her family are hosts for the workshop. BDDF is a small draft powered livestock farm specializing in grass fed and finished lamb and pastured poultry and meat rabbits. They host On the Farm Therapy and exist at the intersection of wellness, agriculture and mental health. They have horses, sheep, rabbits, meat and laying chickens. Lindsey is a mental health professional, with a background in animal science with an emphasis on pre-vet studies. Lindsey is also trained in FAMACHA.

Cost: $10 per manure sample. For best results, collect freshest manure possible in a double sandwich bag and store in the fridge for up to four days before workshop. You can bring manure from single animals or from a group of animals.

Registration is required to be sure there are enough supplies. Space is limited to 40 participants. Register here.

More information:

• At this workshop, participants will learn how to do fecal float exams to identify internal parasites in the manure samples they bring from their own livestock. Additionally, they will learn how to use the FAMACHA system to assess the degree of anemia in their goats and sheep due to barber pole worms (haemonchus contortus).
• Handouts and discussion will include ways to prevent and treat worms, including chemical, holistic and certified organic solutions.
• Rice County Farmers Union is providing ice cold water and herbal tea from So Below Apothecary.
• Contact Rice County Farmers Union President Tessa Parks at (360) 303-6804 for more information.

Good to know:

• For biosecurity reasons, please wear clean shoes/boots and clothes, so you do not track anything from your farm to BDDF.
• Port-a-potty and handwashing stations are onsite.