Free Shepherd Seminar – Beyond Antibiotics: Minimizing Drug Use in Small Ruminants with Susan Schoenian

Beginning June 11, 2023, you will no longer be able to purchase antibiotics, such as penicillin and LA-200 over-the-counter from your local farm store or online business. A veterinary prescription will be required. Several years ago, antibiotics put in the feed or water were put under veterinary supervision and the feeding of antibiotics to promote growth was banned. At the same time, resistance to anthelmintics (dewormers) continues to grow. Bottom line: we need to learn to raise sheep with less reliance on drugs and more reliance on management, nutrition, and genetics.

Susan Schoenian retired from the University of Maryland in 2022, after more than 37 years of work in agricultural extension work. For the past 21 years, she served as the Sheep & Goat Specialist for University of Maryland Extension. Susan continues her involvement in the sheep/goat industry, including management of extension programs and online resources for the American Consortium for Small Ruminant Parasite Control. She raises Katahdin sheep on her small farm in Clear Spring, MD.