January 22, 2008
Lambing school will help producers deliver success
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - Purdue University's Department of Animal Sciences, in cooperation with the Indiana Sheep Breeders Association, will host a lambing school from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 16 at the Purdue Animal Science Research and Education Center sheep unit.This program, geared to both sheep and goat producers, will teach attendees many aspects of the lambing process along with production phases of the animals. Topics for the session include nutrition, reproduction, health considerations and lamb management.
"Lambing time is one of the most management-intensive times of the year," said Michael Neary, Purdue Extension small ruminant specialist and event coordinator. "It is very important that management practices are top notch during this critical time in the cycle because you really are managing for the success of the whole year."
Attendees will be encouraged to take part in the discussions and hands-on activities offered at the session. Some of these activities will include assisting in lamb delivery, tube feeding, grafting and tail docking.
Dawn Frank, veterinarian at Horizon Veterinary Clinic, Gerald R. Kelly, manager of the Purdue sheep unit, and Neary will take turns instructing various portions of the workshop.
"Our goal is that producers will come away from the lambing school being more informed, more comfortable and hopefully more successful with their own farm practices," Neary said.
Registration is $35 and includes refreshments, lunch and educational materials. Registration is limited to the first 40 people who sign up, and the deadline to register is Feb. 8. A registration form can be downloaded online at https://ag.ansc.purdue.edu/sheep/. For more information, contact Neary at (765) 494-4849, mneary@purdue.edu.
Writer: Hannah Brescher, (765) 494-8402, hbresche@purdue.edu
Source: Michael Neary, (765) 494-4849, mneary@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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