Masters Theses

Date of Award

12-1990

Degree Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science

Major

Agriculture and Extension Education

Major Professor

Cecil E. Carter Jr

Committee Members

Roy Lessly, Warren Gill

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to characterize Tennessee sheep producers as to their personal and farm characteristics, their use of selected production and management practices, and their contacts with the Extension Service. The population of this study was Tennessee sheep producers. Extension agents obtained the data through personal interviews with 131 randomly selected producers. The number technique was used by Extension agents to identify each of the 131 sheep producers to be interviewed. All Tennessee counties having at least 5 sheep producers with at least 10 ewes each were included in the survey. In counties with less than 10 producers, all producers were interviewed. In counties having 10 or more producers, 10 producers were interviewed. Producers interviewed were located in 28 different counties.

The completed surveys were checked for accuracy and completeness and processed for computer analysis. The University of Tennessee Computing Center mainframe computers were used to analyze the data. Responses to survey questions were summarized using means and frequencies. Chi square and analysis of variance Ftests were used to determine relationships between various dependent and independent variables. The 0.05 probability level was used to determine the significance of relationships.

Major findings included the following;

1. Over 65 percent of the producers received their income from sources other than sheep production, 72 percent were employed off the farm in the last 12 months, and 53 percent indicated their children had at one time been in 4-H. Over 50 percent of the farm operators were 45 and under years of age and had completed 13 or more years of education. The mean age was 46.4 years. Almost 54 percent were commercial producers and over 73 percent had 35 or less ewes lambing in 1988. Over 29 percent were feeder lamb producers, and almost 64 percent of the producers raised Suffolk sheep while 62 percent sold their lambs at 100 and over pounds.

2. Almost 71 percent used one to three of the seven recommended fertility practices while almost 60 percent used one to three of the seven recommended vaccination practices and almost 49 percent of the producers used 6 to 10 of the 17 recommended health and management practices. Over 90 percent of the producers had no problem with 9 of the 17 health problems studied; however, 60 percent of the producers listed footrot as a health problem and 45 percent had problems with prolapse. Almost 48 percent of the producers had problems with dogs and almost 60 percent used a gun and confined their animals at night to control predators.

3. Almost 76 percent of the producers attended one or more Extension meetings and Extension sheep meetings, almost 78 percent made one or more visits to the Extension office, over 80 percent made one or more telephone calls to the Extension office, and 80.2 percent received one or more farm visits from Extension personnel. Producers with 36 and over ewes lambing, who were 45 and under years of age, had children currently or previously enrolled in the 4-H sheep project, and were purebred producers had more contact with the Extension Service.

4. Producers with sheep as their major source of income, who were not employed off the farm in the last 12 months, were feeder lamb producers, and used crossbred ewes had significantly more ewes lambing in 1988.

5. Producers who used three or more of the seven fertility practices had more lambs weaned in 1988 than those using less of these seven practices.

6. Producers who used more of the three nutrition practices, had sheep as their major source of income, were part-time farmers, had children who were currently or previously enrolled in the 4-H sheep project, and had 13 or more years of education. Also these producers who used more nutrition practices were purebred producers, produced show sheep and sheep for other purposes, had 36 or more ewes, and had 12 or more Extension contacts.

7. Producers who used more of the seven fertility practices had sheep as their major source of income, were employed off the farm part-time, had children who were currently or previously enrolled in the 4-H sheep project, and had 13 or more years of education. Also these producers who used more fertility practices were 45 and under years of age, raised purebred sheep, produced sheep for show and other purposes, had 36 or more ewes, and received 12 or more Extension contacts.

8. Producers who used more of the seven vaccination practices had sheep as their major source of income, were 45 and younger years of age, and were purebred sheep producers. Also these producers who used more vaccination practices had four or more health problems and received 12 or more Extension contacts.

9. Producers who used more of the 17 health and management practices had sheep as their major source of income, were employed off the farm part-time, had children who were currently or previously enrolled in the 4-H sheep project, and had received 13 or more years of education. Also these producers who used more health and management practices were 45 and younger years of age, were purebred sheep producers, produced show sheep, had 36 or more ewes, and reported having more of the 17 health problems.

Implications and recommendations also were made.

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