INTRODUCTION

1. Characteristics of Female Small Ruminant Producers in WV - Implications for Extension Training and Industry Support K.N. D’Souza¹, D. Singh-Knights² and M. Knights¹ • Division of Animal and Nutritional Sciences¹, and Agriculture and Natural Resources- Extension Service² • West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV INTRODUCTION RESULTS Small ruminant production holds significant potential for increasing the productivity and profitability of small family farms. The small size and docility of small ruminants, low capital investment and lower investment risk make small ruminants ideally suited for beginning farmers and women. Almost a third of small ruminant producers in WV are women, and previous surveys have indicated that they enter small ruminant production at a faster rate than their male counterparts. However, little data exist on the producer demographics, production characteristics, marketing practices and sources of information used to modify management decisions of female small ruminant producers. The current study was designed to determine the characteristics of female small ruminant producers, their level of adoption of newer technology and management practices, their level of willingness to expand and factors affecting their decision to expand their operations. Additionally, the study evaluated the management practices adopted, the marketing systems utilized and the sources of information used to inform their management decisions. Figure 2: Perception of and expectation for sheep operations by gender. No significant differences were observed between males and females. Figure 1: Demographics of sheep producers in WV by gender. Means in the same category with different letters (a, b) differ significantly (P < 0.05). MATERIALS & METHODS • A survey was developed to determine producer demographics, production characteristics, marketing practices, sources of information, level of adoption of newer technology, management practices, level of willingness to expand operations and factors affecting the decision to expand operations. • The survey was sent out via postal mail and email to 1,559 sheep producers in WV, and 151responses were received and analyzed. • Results are grouped into 4 categories: • Demographics (number of producers, more than 5 years of experience, college education, and farming status) • Perception of and plan for sheep operation (satisfaction with productivity and profitability of operation, previous and future changes in flock size, and familiarity and use of OSB) • Use of technology (Flushing, estrous synchronization, CIDRs, PDs, OSB, and BSE) • Source of information (attendance of educational meetings, contact with extension agents and membership in farming organizations) Figure 3: The proportion of male and female sheep producers that use technology. Means in the same category with different letters (a, b) differ significantly (P < 0.05). ES- estrous synchronization; CIDRs- controlled internal drug releasing devices; PDs- pregnancy diagnosis; BSE- breeding soundness exam. Figure 4: The proportion of male and female sheep producers that attain information from different sources. Means in the same category with different letters (a, b) differ significantly (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS • Female producers tend to have similar demographic characteristics to male counterparts, but may be more educated. • Female producers are not utilizing available technologies as frequently as male counterparts and have less interactions with extension agents, educational programs and farming organizations. • Extension agents will encourage females to not only use the available technology to increase productivity and profitability of their flocks, but also to join farming organizations and use extension agents as a source of information. • Industry partnerships will be developed to facilitate entrance of females into small ruminant production.