5 June 2010 - The first ewe to purposefully lamb on pasture. This is part of Natasha Pettifor's graduate degree project to evaluate the pasture mothering ability of ewes from a flock that has been previously managed for generations to lamb in the barn. Each ewe receives a maternal behavior score at the time of tagging her lambs. Scores range from 1 (ewe leaves and doesn't return) to 6 (ewe nuzzles the lambs while they are being tagged). This ewe received a score of 6. (Natasha Pettifor photograph.)
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Abundant rainfall for forage production and a large population consuming sheep products in the eastern United States makes this area an ideal location for sheep farming. This and the companion web site about marketing (http://www.sheepgoatmarketing.info/) are designed to help farmers take advantage of the opportunity to develop or expand sheep farms in the region.

Beef cattle and goats can also take advantage of the forage production in the region. Click on the following links for information from Cornell University:

• Beef cattle
• Goats