Arkansas Extension Small Ruminants

09/28/2026

This is one of the trickiest diseases to diagnose in the early stages. Check it out.

RESEARCH SHARE

A retrospective analysis of domestic sheep and goat Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis diagnostic results from the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

Objective
To understand Mycobacterium avium subspecies paratuberculosis (MAP) diagnostic trends based on small ruminant submissions to the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory.

Methods
Small ruminant MAP serum ELISA and f***l PCR results between May 1, 2015, and June 1, 2024, were obtained from Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory. Prevalence estimates were established for goats and sheep relative to overall sample submissions, individual animals tested, and herds. Species-level differences in prevalence were evaluated based on ELISA manufacturer, age, s*x, and breed.

Results
A total of 108,092 small ruminant samples were submitted for MAP serum ELISA (n = 98,538 IDEXX Inc; 9,554 VMRD Inc) and 1,090 samples for f***l PCR. For sheep and goats combined, there was an overall 6-fold difference in positive prevalence between the 2 ELISA tests based on submissions (0.9% vs 5.8%), individuals (1.0% vs 5.8%), and herds (3.7% vs 24.2%). In comparison, combined f***l PCR results for sheep and goats indicated positive prevalences of 6.5% for submissions, 6.6% for individuals, and 11.2% for herds.

Conclusions
This study offers valuable insights into the prevalence of MAP infection in domestic sheep and goats across the United States, the preferred diagnostic tests among producers and veterinarians, and variations in ELISA test characteristics.

Clinical Relevance
The results highlight the poor alignment between small ruminant MAP diagnostic usage and recommendations to use ELISA tests primarily as a screening tool for control programs in MAP-infected herds with high prevalence (≥ 5% test positive) and f***l PCR or culture-based testing to enhance surveillance, eradication, or confirmation of Johne clinical diagnoses.

Source: American Journal of Veterinary Research, Sept. 2026

https://avmajournals.avma.org/view/journals/ajvr/87/9/ajvr.26.03.0089.xml?tab_body=fulltext-prime

09/26/2026

Join us for a webinar series on small ruminant production for beginning and small-scale farmers to produce meat, milk, and fiber. Topics include an overview of the industry, breed and genetic improvement, reproduction, health management, facilities, pasture management, nutrition, and marketing. October 6, 13, and 20, 2026, 06:00 PM (Central Time).
Register now: https://bit.ly/4xKVM25
Speakers:
Dr. Dan Quadros, University of Arkansas, Small Ruminant Specialist, Department Of Animal Science - UA
Dr. Kirsten Midkiff
University of Arkansas, Animal Health & Wellbeing Specialist, Department Of Animal Science - UA
Dr. Ian Daniel
University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Livestock Specialist, School of Agriculture, Fisheries and Human Sciences
Dana Stewart
Arkansas Farm Bureau Federation, Vice Chair & Board Liaison of the Small Ruminant Commodity Division (www.arfb.com)
Tanya Feagin
President of the Arkansas Shepherds Association - Sheep Community (www.arshepherds.com)/Owner of Rocking TLC Farms LLC (https://rockingtlcfarms.com/).
Leigh Brandon
President of the Arkansas Goat Producers Association (www.argoatproducers.com)/Owner of Happy Bottoms Farm (www.happybottomsfarm.com).
Dr. Sibtain Ahmad
Fulbright Research Scholar, University of Arkansas/Associate Professor at the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan.
Dr. Andrew Milsom
Former Postdoctoral Research Associate, University of Arkansas/PhD Lincoln University, New Zealand.
Emily Reynolds
Master's Degree candidate, University of Arkansas, Animal Science.

09/24/2026

Our thoughts are with everyone across Texas impacted by wildfires.

Although the early months of summer brought much-needed rainfall, the heat also produced an abundance of dry, dormant grasses and forbs. As hunting season gets underway, please help remind hunters, landowners, and guests of this!

Read more about how cattle and goat co-grazing can help maintain pastures and lessen wildfire risk. Check out the article:
https://agrilife.org/westtexasrangelands/

09/22/2026

RESEARCH SHARE

Prevalence and demographic trends of Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis (Caseous Lymphadenitis) in domestic goats and sheep: A ten-year retrospective study from the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory

Highlights
• Submissions for CLA in domestic goats and sheep included 120,958 individuals and 20,492 herds.
• Sheep exhibited a higher prevalence of CLA across samples, individual animals, and herds.
• SHI demonstrated a positive prevalence of 10.7% in individual sheep and 3.9% in individual goats.
• Aerobic culture positive prevalence was 34.0% in individual sheep and 33.6% in individual goats.
• SHI positive prevalence increased by age: ≤ 6 months (2%), 7–24 months (3.7%), > 24 months (5.1%).

Abstract
Caseous lymphadenitis (CLA), caused by Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis, is a chronic, contagious disease of small ruminants that impacts animal health and economic concerns globally. This retrospective study analyzed 10 years (May 1, 2015–May 1, 2025) of domestic sheep and goat diagnostic data from the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (WADDL) to characterize CLA prevalence using synergistic hemolysin inhibition (SHI) and CLA-targeted aerobic cultures. Data from 139,238 sample submissions (120,958 individual animals; 20,492 herds) were standardized and analyzed at the sample, individual, and herd level. Herd-level prevalence exceeded individual prevalence and the number of animals tested per herd was associated with herd-level positivity for both species. The prevalence of CLA based on SHI was lower (Chi-sq p < 0.0001) in goat samples (3.7%; 4452/120,213) than sheep samples (9.9%; 1779/17,990). However, the prevalence of CLA based on CLA-targeted aerobic culture was similar (Chi-sq p > 0.05) in goat samples (33.3%; 269/808) and sheep samples (32.2%; 73/227). Overall, prevalence increased with animal age (Chi-sq p < 0.0001) and was found to be higher (Chi-sq p < 0.05) in females of the combined species (SHI 4.9% (2281/46,268); aerobic culture 35.7% (251/704)) than in males (SHI 3.9% (450/11,561); aerobic culture 25.6% (61/238)). Geographic variation was observed, with SHI results indicating a lower prevalence of CLA in both goats and sheep in WA as compared to other regions in the United States and Canada (Chi-sq p < 0.0001). These findings underscore the importance of surveillance to inform epidemiological studies and herd-level control strategies aimed at reducing the burden of CLA across diverse production systems.

Source: Small Ruminant Research, November 2026

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921448826001872

09/20/2026

Fantastic Arkansas Shepherds Association - Sheep Community (ASA) field day today at Heifer Ranch in Perryville, AR! Great turnout. The room was packed with producers interested in improving their flock management. Nutrition, parasites, hoof care and blood collection for analysis were the main topics of the day. I really enjoyed interacting with the attendees and discussing best practices in nutrition. It was good to meet Linda Coffey and Dr. Eva Wray. Congratulations to all the ASA members on the excellent event, and thank you for inviting me.

Department Of Animal Science - UA
Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service

09/20/2026

It was a great honor to receive the tittle of Honorary Member of the Arkansas Shepherds Association - Sheep Community (ASA) today. They were very generous to give me a vest and a handmade art piece! I am deeply grateful to all the members for the recognition, in particular the president Tanya Feagin and Christina Ballard, who made this gorgeous, hand-painted decorative plate. Thank you very much!

09/16/2026

Attention small ruminant producers in Boone and surrounding counties, check this post!

Please join us for a Small Ruminant Workshop on October 15 in Harrison, AR (110 W. Industrial Park Rd.), from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m., at no cost. The TransformAR mobile lab will be there! Learn about feed classification and applied nutrition, how to do f***l egg counting and control parasites, basic healthcare practices, and marketing. It will also feature a seminar covering the USDA programs.
Register now at: https://www.uaex.uada.edu/farm-ranch/special-programs/Education_in_Agriculture/transformar/workshops.aspx

09/14/2026

I am excited about the Arkansas Shepherds Association - Sheep Community field day on Saturday! A day full of valuable information and networking opportunities. Transform Arkansas: Technical Assistance & Education (www.uaex.uada.edu/TransformAR) will be there with the mobile lab. See you on Saturday!

TransformAR will be present at the Arkansas Shepherds Association - Sheep Community Field Day — Saturday, September 19, 2026, 8:30am - 2:30pm, at Heifer Ranch, 55 Heifer Road Perryville, AR!
You do not have to be a member to attend. It will be a full day of hands‑on learning, great speakers, door prizes, and silent auction items benefiting the Arkansas Shepherds Association.
Members attend FREE; Non‑members: $5 per person, paid at the door. Must be 13 and older to attend.
Everyone must register on Eventbrite to attend.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/arkansas-shepherds-association-2026-workshop-tickets-1991699803728?aff=oddtdtcreator&fbclid=IwY2xjawUU625wZG9mAWV4dG4DYWVtAjEwAGJyaWQRMVNSVnI4TWg4ZFdad1A2ODlzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeSAqYjMaNrFERxOqggCgzzX-WXjsxxwNdhatWrtD54boZRqFXARaKeDV12mk_aem_ChjYNuDBi1xK8eY9kK7Llg
Topics include: Nutrition, Hoof care and trimming, How to draw blood, How to give shots, Parasites