33 Nationwide Sheep & Goat Producer Needs Assessment

Abstract

Abstract Resources for sheep and goat production are limited despite expanded interest and rising numbers of producers in the United States. It is critical for extension professionals, producer organizations, and industry to be attune to producer needs as educational programming is planned and developed. Therefore, a voluntary needs assessment was conducted to identify US producer interests and enhance future extension efforts. The online QuestionPro survey was peer-reviewed by 15 university small ruminant specialists. Closed-ended and open-ended questions were utilized to identify important production topics, preferred program delivery methods, production challenges, and participant demographics. Six hundred and seventy-two respondents completed at least half of the survey. Most respondents raise sheep only (46%) followed by goats only (35%) then both (19%). Seventy percent of respondents describe their operation as providing supplemental household income. Fifty-five percent direct market products. The largest percentage of respondents indicated live animals (82%) and meat (63%) were “very important” economically to their operation. Seventy-one percent of respondents have flocks/herds of less than 100 animals and 49% have less than 10 years of experience raising small ruminants. “Very important” topics were parasite management (65%), breeding stock nutrition (61%), and reproductive management (60%). Overwhelmingly, 43% of respondents prefer virtual programs to be a single event shorter than 45 minutes while 32% expressed willingness to attend an in-person, all-day program with multiple session. For in-person programming, most respondents preferred wintertime (Dec-Feb, 34%), mornings (41%), and Saturdays (20%). Most indicated that email (38%) was the best way to promote upcoming extension resources. The results of this survey highlighted current needs, interests, and preferences for extension programming and resources by sheep and goat producers in the US. These results are important to enhance extension efforts and collectively strengthen the sustainability of the American small ruminant producer.