January 27, 2006

Purdue to offer lambing school

Extension specialist Mike Neary said the program covers topics including nutrition, health considerations, reproduction, lambing barn obstetrics and necessary management practices.

The workshop is primarily designed to be a hands-on experience for participants.

"We're actually going to work with lambs that are born that day," said Gerald Kelly, shepherd for the Department of Animal Sciences. Kelly said some of the hands-on experiences include pulling lambs, assisting in birth, docking tails and castration.

Kelly said the lambing school attracts people of all ages and backgrounds within the sheep industry, ranging from longtime producers looking for ideas on how to reduce the risk of losing lambs, to children who are just starting out and want to learn about what it takes to manage sheep.

"Hopefully, participants of the workshop get ideas from the speakers and others who attend," Kelly said.

Along with Kelly and Neary, Dawn Frank of Horizon Veterinary Services also will be an instructor.

Enrollment is limited to 40 participants. The $35 per person cost covers breakfast, lunch and learning materials. Registration forms must be turned in by Feb. 3 and are available online. For additional information, contact Neary at (765) 494-4849, mneary@purdue.edu.

Writer: Chelsea Carter, (765) 494-8402, carterc@purdue.edu

Sources: Mike Neary, (765) 494-4849, mneary@purdue.edu

Gerald Kelly, (765) 583-2822, gkelly@purdue.edu

Ag Communications: (765) 494-2722;
Beth Forbes, forbes@purdue.edu
Agriculture News Page

To the News Service home page