Kansas Sheep Industry Events Planned

MANHATTAN, Kan. – In February and March K-State Research and Extension will be hosting three sheep events across the state. The Northeast Kansas Sheep & Goat Meeting will take place on February 22, Southwind Extension District will host a Spring Sheep Meeting on March 3 and the River Valley Extension District will put on a Sheep Production Workshop March 24.

"Attending these events is a great way to learn from specialists about sheep management techniques," says Dr. Alison Crane, K-State sheep extension specialist. "The upcoming meetings will range from basic knowledge and skill sets when working with sheep and goats, to health, cost of production, and working with technology. I believe it is important to not only feel comfortable with the basics of production of small ruminants, but also to keep expanding one's knowledge base to better both the sheep and goat industries."

Northeast Kansas extension units will co-host a sheep and goat meeting February 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. at the Highland Community Building in Highland. Dr. Crane, the new statewide sheep and goat specialist, will be the speaker for this event. She will discuss an overview on kid and lamb care, along with updates on current best practices for deworming and parasite management.

There is no cost to attend the meeting but individuals who plan to attend are encouraged to pre-register by February 16. To RSVP contact Matt Young, Brown County Extension Specialist, at 785-742-7871 or e-mail BR@listserv.ksu.edu ; or Margaret Chamas, Doniphan County Extension Specialist, at 785-985-3623 or e-mail DP@listserv.edu ; or Jody Holthaus, Meadowlark Extension Specialist, at 785-364-4125 or e-mail meadowlark-l@listserv.edu.

The Southwind Extension District is planning a Spring Sheep Meeting on March 3 at 3 p.m. at the 4-H Building on the Bourbon County Fairgrounds in Fort Scott. Dr. Crane will be the featured speaker and discuss basic principles of raising sheep and goats, as well as introduce herself to this area of the state. For more information about the event, contact Chris Petty at 620-223-3720 or cgp@ksu.edu or Jennifer Terrell at 620-244-3826 or jkterrell@ksu.edu.

A Sheep Production Workshop will be hosted by the River Valley District on March 24. The workshop will begin at 10 a.m. at the United Methodist Church in Clay Center. Speakers and topics will include:

• Bridger Feuz, University of Wisconsin Livestock Specialist - will discuss sheep cost of production and economic tools.
• Barton Stam, University of Wisconsin Extension - will speak on matching your range and pasture with eye needs.
• Hudson Hill, University of Wisconsin Extension - will address the topic of risk management tools used for sheep production.

Registration for the Sheep Production Workshop is $10. RSVP to the Washington Extension Office at 785-325-2121 by March 14.