For those I have not had the good fortune to meet, I’m Dr. Reid Redden the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service state sheep and goat specialist. A little over 2 years ago, I assumed the position held by Dr. Frank Craddock. It is my pleasure to share my thoughts about sheep and goats in this column. But first, I’d like to begin with a little bit about who I am and what I do.
A little about us. Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service provides programs, tools, and resources that teach people how to improve agriculture and food production, advance health practices, protect the environment, strengthen our communities, and enrich youth. We have been around for over 100 years and I predict our agency is still around another 100 years. AgriLife Extension has local agents representing every Texas counties. County agents are the primary contacts for sheep and goat ranchers. State and regional specialists are their support staff to help them answer your questions. These agents host educational events in your area and I speak at these meetings about topics important to your community. Plus, I work with Texas A&M AgriLife Research to test and provide educational outreach for new technology. It is great job that allows me to do what I love and work with great people. Let us know if we can help with your sheep and goat operation.
A little about me. I grew up in Utopia TX on a sheep and goat ranching operation. My family, also operate a meat packing plant and restaurant. We were “Farm-to-Fork” before it was fashionable. Like many youth, my passion for sheep and goats was developed showing lambs. Naturally, I went to college at Texas A&M University. Then, I spent 10 years in New Mexico, Montana, and North Dakota in graduate school and beyond. All the while, I have been involved in small ruminant production; working with ranchers and tending to a flock of my own. Regardless of where you are, sheep and goat folks are some of the friendliest, most kind-hearted people you will ever meet. I am thankful for are all the great friendships I’ve developed along my path and look forward to making new ones.
A little about what’s to come. In this column, I will discuss topics that are relevant to sheep and goat ranchers. From things like “parasite control” to “nutritional management” to “predator management.” I also intend on writing about new and upcoming technologies, like “futuristic technology” and “promotion of agriculture.” Hopefully you will find the articles educational and entertaining and I invite your input.
Predation is arguably the largest issue for the Texas sheep and goat industry. Fifty years ago, the sheep and goat ranching community was much larger. Back then, ranchers kept predator populations at a manageable level. Today predators are densely populated and small ruminant ranchers are fighting a much more difficult battle. Given the situation, we are investing time and energy to learn and educate more people on how to use livestock guardian dogs to help with predator control.
If it were not for livestock guardian dogs, my family would not have been able to remain in the sheep and goat industry. I’ve seen them work in a variety of situations throughout my studies. However, in many parts of Texas, they have been under-utilized. They are not the silver bullet to predator management but I feel strongly they can be a major contributor to a sheep and goat predator management plan.
San Angelo colleagues and I wrote an extension bulletin titled: “Livestock Guardian Dogs”. This factsheet was written to help ranchers better understand how these dogs work and how to manage them. This bulletin can be found on our website: http://sanangelo.tamu.edu. But we are aware we don’t know as much about how these dogs work in large pasture settings, as we should. Therefore, we are conducting research to better understand how they work and how to implement a successful management plan in these settings.
In 2015, we began a research project at the AgriLife Research Martin Ranch in Menard County. In 2009, the ranch weaned only a 20 percent lamb crop. Within three years of implementation of a livestock guardian dog program, lamb crops now exceed 100 percent. The guardian dogs on this ranch all have GPS collars and a percent of the sheep at the ranch have GPS collars. Predators are being actively monitored via game cameras and scat surveys. This project is designed to see how sheep, livestock guardian dogs, and predators interact. There will be a livestock guardian dog field day at the Martin Ranch on May 10th. For more information, contact the AgriLife Extension office in Menard County at 325-396-4787.
In 2015, we attained a grant to worked with six cooperating ranchers. These ranchers had no experience with livestock guardian dogs and operated large, pasture-based sheep flocks. We monitored the successes and challenges of each operation, also monitoring predators via game cameras and the guard dog movements via GPS collars. These case studies will be available on our website soon.
In 2017, we partnered with the Texas Sheep and Goat Predator Management Board. They are providing two years worth of funding for a technician that will serve as a livestock guardian dog specialist. This person will serve as an educator and coordinator to help sheep and goat ranchers implement livestock guardian dog programs.
In closing, I am excited to be your sheep and goat specialist. Nothing would make me happier than to provide information and assistance to help you all remain in the sheep and goat business. Let us know if you have questions pertaining to sheep and goat production. It is the reason we are here! reid.redden@ag.tamu.edu or 325-653-4576.