Purdue News

December 11, 1998 Sheep symposium for sheep breeders of all ages WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- Young people caring for sheep they will enter in 4-H county fair contests and others raising sheep as a hobby or a way of life will gather at the Bloomington Holiday Inn on Jan. 2 and 3 for the annual Hoosier Sheep Industry Symposium. Sheep breeders can attend sessions featuring national and regional experts on these topics: Making money with sheep and forages. What the Michigan Sheep Alliance is doing to help the Midwest sheep industry. How to create an innovative marketing plan to increase profits. What management practices progressive purebred sheep producers are using. How to prevent and treat diseases that commonly affect sheep. The symposium will include a discussion on the future of the American sheep industry, a trade show and the annual recognition banquet. It also will feature a one-day youth session Jan. 2 on caring for lambs and preparing them for showing. It will offer ample opportunity for hands-on learning with lambs. Topics will include feed and nutrition, health, grooming, judging and showmanship. The youth symposium starts at 9 a.m. and will feature a free pizza and swimming party. The event is sponsored by the Indiana Sheep Breeders Association, the Indiana Sheep and Wool Market Development Council, and the Purdue University Department of Animal Sciences and the Cooperative Extension Service. Preregistration, which costs $15 per person and $25 per family, is encouraged by Dec. 20, so organizers can ensure banquet reservations. Registration at the door will be $20 per person and $30 per family. Special registration rates are available for 4-H and FFA groups by calling (219) 672-9623. Banquet tickets are $14 for adults and $7 for youths under 12 years old. For information on the adult symposium, contact Sandy Powers of the Indiana Sheep Breeders Association, (219) 672-9623, or Mike Neary, Purdue Extension sheep specialist, at (765) 494-4849; e-mail, mneary@ansc.purdue.edu. Information and registration materials are available at the Sheep at Purdue site on the World Wide Web.. Compiled by Chris Sigurdson, (765) 494-8415; E-mail, sig@ecn.purdue.edu Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; e-mail, purduenews@purdue.edu To the Purdue News and Photos Page