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This month we sit down with Richard Marlar, a physician and president of the Navajo-Churro Sheep Association to talk about heritage livestock breeds - specifically the Navajo-Churro - which have been integral to the settlement and development of the US. Richard also discusses Split Upper Eyelid Disorder (SUED), a developmental disorder that affects four-horned sheep such as the Navajo-Churro. Dr. Marlar explains how he and his wife worked with their veterinarian as well as human physicians to develop a hypothesis about the cause of this disease based on similar diseases that affect humans. This collaboration also helped the Marlars devise a prevention plan by improving their animals' nutrition, especially around breeding and during gestation which has eliminated the incidence of SUED in their flock. Richard provides unique insight for producers and veterinarians about collaborating across medical specialties to develop hypotheses and carryout their own mini-research trials to address challenges that they face within their operation and beyond. This episode highlights the importance of a One Health approach to veterinary challenges and the important role that a veterinarian can play in advocating for their clients through collaboration with university connections, extension programs, and human medical experts when novel challenges are identified.

Resources discussed in this episode:

American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners - Find a small ruminant veterinarian: https://aasrp.org/Main/Main/About/Find-A-Small-Ruminant-Veterinarian.aspx?hkey=e59ebdd0-6d57-493b-9ae2-e838323b9a38

The Livestock Conservancy: https://livestockconservancy.org/

Shave 'Em to Save 'Em: https://livestockconservancy.org/get-involved/shave-em-to-save-em/

Navajo-Churro Sheep Association: https://www.navajo-churrosheep.com/?doing_wp_cron=1757476384.7682878971099853515625

To access Dr. Marlar's article on his experiences with SUED email: rmarlar@salud.unm.edu

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Join us for a discussion about a collaborative research project currently in the works headed up by Iowa State University. Jennifer Bentley, a dairy field specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, discusses the aims of the current project including assessing prevalence and treatment options for common diseases affecting dairy goats, developing financial assessments and benchmarks for goat dairies, and improving kid survival rates.

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Goat site can be found here: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/dairyteam/dairy-goats-sheep

Veterinarians may contact Jennifer via email at jbentley@iastate.edu to discuss participation in data collection for this project.

Learn more about Ms. Bentley's extension and outreach programs, visit her ISU staff profile: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/staff/jbentley

Learn more about Dr. Amanda Kreuder's research, visit her faculty page: https://vetmed.iastate.edu/directory/pub/info/akreuder

Review the results of the 2020 Iowa Dairy Goat Survey: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/dairyteam/files/documents/2020_dairy_goat_-_august_nwl.pdf

If your company or organization would like to sponsor an episode or if you have questions about today's show, please email Office@AASRP.org

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This month we sit down with Christian Davies (of C&M Acres Alpacas and Fiber Mill) and his veterinarian, Dr. Rachel Friedrich from Iowa State University's Veterinary Field Service. Christina and his wife, Michele, raise alpacas and operate a fiber mill in Maxwell, IA. Dr. Friedrich not only provides veterinary care for C&M Acres but also collaborates with Christian and Michele to curate camelid-specific clinical training opportunities for third and fourth year veterinary students. This episode is all about producers and veterinarians learning and working together!

Resources discussed in this episode:

American Association of Small Ruminant Practitioners - Veterinarians and vet students join today!

https://aasrp.org/Main/Main/Membership/Join-AASRP.aspx?hkey=6878474f-d347-4a79-bdbe-5a1896781821

The Alpaca Owners Association: https://www.alpacainfo.com/

Textbook: Veterinary Techniques for Llamas and Alpacas by DE Anderson, M Jones, & MD Miesner

Textbook: Llama and Alpaca Care by MS Cebra, A Tibary, LW Johnson, R Van Saun, & DE Anderson

If you or your organization would like to sponsor an episode of Baas and Bleats, please contact office@aasrp.org to learn more.