Penn State to Collect Information on Sheep Fertility

A group of researchers, led by Dr. Camilla Hughes, is studying sheep fertility in Pennsylvania flocks. They are asking sheep producers to share information about their operation through a survey.

The American Sheep Industry identified productivity improvement as one of four goals to strengthen the American lamb industry. Reproductive efficiency is one of the most important factors affecting the productivity and profitability of sheep farms, yet many factors that influence fertility remain poorly understood. The long-term goal of this research is to improve fertility and lifetime productivity in Pennsylvania sheep flocks.

In this study, researchers are working to better understand how reproductive management practices and stress during pregnancy affect not only pregnant ewes but also the future fertility of their daughters. This is especially important because all of the eggs a ewe lamb will ever produce are formed before she is even born. Through this survey, they aim to identify common management practices and prenatal stressors that may affect reproductive performance in ewe offspring under Pennsylvania production conditions. The information gathered will help develop practical, science-based recommendations and educational resources to support producers in improving flock fertility, ewe longevity, and overall farm productivity.

Please help the team to better understand the fertility, stress, and disease challenges on your farms. The anonymous survey only takes 10-15 minutes to complete, and five participants will be randomly selected to win an Amazon gift card! Please share your feedback in our survey: https://pennstate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_3shxPbFLB1mE7UG

This project is funded by the Center for Poultry and Livestock Excellence. Collaborators on the project include Dr. Claire Stenhouse, Extension Associate Austin Brown, and graduate student Sullivan Haine. 

Your feedback is essential to guiding our future research and ensuring it addresses the needs of PA sheep producers! Please complete the survey by June 20, 2026.