Ohio Sheep Producers Invited to Join Statewide Mineral Research Study

By Andi Anderson

Sheep producers across Ohio are being invited to take part in a new research project focused on understanding mineral availability and mineral status in sheep flocks. The study is designed to help producers make better nutrition decisions by learning how local conditions affect mineral needs.

The project, led by The Ohio State University, will examine how mineral concentrations vary across different regions of the state. Soil, forage, water, and blood samples will be collected from participating farms to better understand mineral trends.

The study is funded by the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program and is being conducted by animal science researchers with experience in sheep nutrition and management.

Mineral levels in soil, forage, and water can differ widely depending on location. However, many sheep flocks are fed standard mineral mixes without knowing if those products meet local needs. This research aims to address that gap by identifying regional mineral patterns and comparing them with animal mineral status.

Ohio has been divided into five regions for the study: northwest, northeast, central, southwest, and southeast. By collecting samples from farms in each region, researchers hope to build a clearer picture of how mineral availability changes across the state.

This information may help producers adjust mineral programs to better match their farm conditions.

Producers who participate will receive farm level results, including blood mineral status from their sheep and environmental mineral data from their land. All sampling supplies and laboratory testing costs will be covered by the project, reducing barriers to participation.

Producers will also be asked to share basic information about their current mineral and nutrition programs to help researchers interpret results accurately.

Both pasture based and confinement sheep operations are eligible to participate. The key requirement is that soil and forage samples can be collected from fields where the forage fed to sheep was grown. This ensures the data accurately reflects the mineral sources influencing the flock.

Recruitment for the study will take place during winter, with on farm sampling planned for spring. This timing allows researchers to capture important seasonal information related to forage growth and mineral availability.

By participating, sheep producers can gain valuable insight into their mineral programs while contributing to research that supports healthier flocks, improved productivity, and more informed nutrient management across Ohio’s sheep industry.

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