Shortcourses and Tours


 
Lambing Time Shortcourse and Bus Tour

The purpose of this shortcourse and bus tour is to help producers recognize and effectively deal with common lambing time problems. The shortcourse focuses on the management prior to, during and after lambing and the affect it has on lamb losses, pounds of lamb marketed and input costs and labor requirements. The tour will provide producers the opportunity to see first hand how other producers recognize, manage, and deal with lambing time challenges.

2009 Course Details
Tentative Dates: February 6 and 7, 2009
Location: Minnesota West Community & Technical College,
                Pipestone, MN
 
SCHEDULE
Friday, February 6, 2009
6:30 pm Registration
7:00 pm Welcome/Opening Remarks
7:15 pm Putting Together Your Lambing Time Supply Kit – Dr. Bobb
8:00 pm Late Gestation Management – P. Berg
8:45 pm Special Health Considerations for Milk Replacer Lambs – Dr. Goelz
9:30 pm End of Evening Program

Saturday, February 7, 2009

8:00 am Registration
8:20 am Opening Remarks – Mike Caskey
8:30 am Low Labor Feeding Systems – Mike Caskey
9:15 am Ewe Health Problems You Must Manage – Dr. Bobb
10:00 am Break
10:15 am Five Ways to Reduce Ewe Feed Costs – Philip Berg
11:00 am. Strategies to make Lambing Easier – Mike Caskey
11:45 am Keys to Saving Lambs – Dr. Goelz
12:30 pm Lunch
   
Farm Tours
1:30 pm Board Buses
1:50 pm  Farm Tours Gail and Gary Boeve Farm
Topics Discussed/Demonstrated:
  • State of the art lambing facility
  • Lambing barn layout
  • Hoop barns for sheep
  • Lamb management philosophies
  • Newborn lamb care
  • Raising lambs on milk replacer
  • Tubing lambs
  • Fixing inverted eyelids
  • Docking and castrating methods
  • Lamb identification/record keeping
3:30 pm

Pipestone Vet Clinic
Producer Panel - Selecting for Easy Care Ewes – Randy Dombek and Dave Hofland
Lamb Posting Demonstration – Dr. Goelz

5:00 pm Arrive back at Minnesota West College - Head for home

Minimum enrollment will be 20 people to offer this shortcourse/bus tour.
Maximum enrollment will be limited to 100 paid registrants, so we encourage you to send your registration in early.



SHEEP FOR PROFIT
SCHOOL 

The Sheep for Profit School is the professional management and business school of the sheep industry. The purpose of the school is to help you improve your sheep management skills; increase the profitability of your sheep operation and form relationships in your business. The school will be intense and combine lecture, group discussion and visits two outstanding Pipestone area sheep operations. Expert instructors with diverse and practical sheep experience will help you define your vision and build a practical plan to achieve your goals. This is a three day investment that will change your sheep operation and how you view the sheep industry.

Course Details
Dates: July 8-11, 2009
Location: Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Pipestone Campus

Minimum Enrollment: 10 people
Maximum Enrollment: 20 people

Click here for registration form

Before the School Activities:
1) Submit information for Sheep Enterprise Analysis
2) Review Home Study Course Lessons

After the School Activities:
1) Receive Lamb and Wool Newsletter
2) Instructors Available for Phone Consulting

Cost: Approximately $400 (dependant on Summer Tuition Rates)
(including tuition, noon & evening meals and breaks)

Lodging:
Calumet Inn (507) 825-5871.
Super 8 (507) 825-4217.
Pipestone RV Campground (507) 828-2455
Split Rock Creek State Park (507) 348-7908

Wednesday (6:00 pm to 9:30 pm)
                 Registration
                 Welcome & Introductions
                 What to Expect
                 Get Acquainted Dinner
                 Overview of US Sheep Industry

Thursday (8 am to 9:30 pm)
     Topics: Economics and finance
                 Philosophy of Sheep Management
                 Five Keys to Profit
                 Record Keeping
                 Goal Setting
                 Develop Personal & Enterprise Goals
                 Sheep Breeds and Their Use
                 Genetic Selection
                 Develop Genetic Plan
                 Farm Tour
                      - Sheep Facilities
                      - Genetic Selection
                      - Seedstock Production
                      - Pasture Management


Friday (8 am to 9:30 pm)
     Topics: Identifying & Treating Common Ewe Diseases
                 Identifying & Treating Common Lamb Diseases
                 Preventive Health Programs
                 Flock Bio-security
                 Develop a Flock Preventive Health Plan
                 Reproductive Cycle of Sheep
                 Breeding Time Management
                 Manipulation of the Breeding Cycle
                 Develop a Flock Breeding Plan
                 Facility Requirements
                 Farm Tour
                     - Sheep Facilities
                     - Record Keeping
                     - Lambing Time Management
                     - Management Philosophy


Saturday (8 am - 5 pm)
     Topics: Sheep Nutrient Requirements
                 Feed Nutrient Values
                 Lamb Feed Rations
                 Ewe Feed Rations
                 Develop a Feeding Plan
                 Year Around Flock Management
                 Lamb Marketing
                 Wool Marketing
                 Develop a Flock Management Plan
                 Business Arrangements for the Future

Click here for registration form



Facility Tour
 

The Facility Tour is going to be offered every other year. Plan to attend the next Facility Tour in June of 2010.

 

For more information on these Shortcourses and Bus Tours
contact us at:
Phone: 507-825-6806
Email: philip.berg@mnwest.edu or mike.caskey@mnwest.edu

 
 

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