Sheep Production Workshop Offered as Part of Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival

View Edit Track Workshop will focus on growth and sustainability of the sheep industry

April 27, 2017, 8:31 am | Daniel Morrical

Sheep Production WorkshopsAMES, Iowa – The 2017 Midwest Commercial Sheep Production Workshop will be offered during the Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival. The workshop will be held on Saturday, June 17 from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. at the Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center in Ames, Iowa.

The workshop will focus on the Let’s Grow goals and objectives campaign from the American Lamb Board aimed at increasing both the overall lamb crop and the quality and consumer satisfaction of the lamb that is produced.

“There is a great group of speakers coming in, as well as a producer panel that is focused on the sheep industry’s sustainability in Iowa,” said Dan Morrical, professor and sheep specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “The Iowa Sheep Industry Association has done a great job of putting together this educational programming to draw the interest of commercial producers.”

The following topics will be discussed:

  • Maximizing Resource Use by Extending the Lambing Season: Richard Ehrhardt, Michigan State University
  • Identifying Profitable Sheep: How to Grow Your Profits and Reduce Labor: Dan Persons, Rafter P Ranch and Shearwell
  • Evaluating Finish of Live Market Lambs: Brad Anderson, Mountain States Lamb; Mark Henry, Centralized Ultrasound Processors Lab; Dan Morrical, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
  • Evaluating Finish of Lamb Carcasses: Anderson and Morrical
  • Logistics of Grazing Cover Crops and Crop Stover: Ehrhardt
  • Producers Share Experiences with Integrating Livestock and Crop Production: A panel of producers will share and discuss how livestock production can complement row crop production
  • How the NSIP Can Benefit Sheep Flocks of Differing Sizes and Goals: Rusty Burgett, National Sheep Improvement Program

Cost of attendance is $35 and online registration is available from the Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival website. A student discount is available.

A Shepherding 101 program also will be offered for the beginning shepherd or for those who want to review the basics of raising sheep.

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