Sheep Industry News January 2025

YEE Hosts Lambing School in S.D.

R oughly 50 sheep producers – ranging from aspiring and new to experienced – attended an in-person lambing workshop hosted by ASI’s Young & Emerging Entrepre neurs on Nov. 23, 2024, in Watertown, S.D. “It went really well,” said Dr. Kelly Froehlich of the YEE group. “We handed out a survey at the end of the day and almost everyone said they learned a lot.” Attendees were asked, “What was the most useful topic cov ered during the school and why,” and responded with: • “Really everything. It’s been a truly informative day, and I learned a ton. As a total novice, I’m even more excited after today than I already was about raising sheep soon.” • “Practical application of pulling the lamb. The nutrition breakdown. The vet sharing different meds for specific things. How to tube feed. Side conversation of the best weights and times of year to sell.” • “I loved the lamb kit, the list of medications needed, and the protocols. I also like the ewe they brought in. I also like the transparency of the group and how helpful everyone is willing to be.” The highlight of the school was the dystocia simulator that the group purchased with funds from a National Sheep Industry Im provement Center grant that was awarded in 2024. The simulator allowed attendees to practice pulling lambs and get a first-hand look at problems that sheep producers might encounter in the process. But the workshop also touched on topics ranging from facility requirements for lambing to nutrition of both ewes and lambs. A veterinarian provided tips on deworming, establishing a veteri narian-client-patient relationship and medicines that producers might need to have on hand. The workshop also discussed put

ting together a lambing tool kit with necessary supplies. Producers from four states attended the free workshop, which is just the first step in the YEE group’s efforts to educate new sheep producers with funds from the NSIIC grant. Froehlich is working on developing an online curriculum – which she hopes to preview at the ASI Annual Convention in Scottsdale, Ariz., this month – for beginning sheep producers. “I should have a few lessons done by the convention,” she said. “We spent a lot of time preparing for the lambing school. Now that it’s done, I’ve got more time to work on the lessons.” The Young & Emerging Entrepreneurs have also received several requests to bring the dystocia simulator to other sheep gatherings, including state sheep association meetings. “We’ll have the simulator at the ASI Annual Convention,” Froehlich said. “That will give people there a chance to practice pulling lambs and see it up close.” Froehlich said there are plans to auction off the naming rights to the simulator during the RAMPAC Auction on Jan. 17 at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort. Working with South Dakota producer Cody Chambliss, Froehlich and the YEE group are planning additional in-person

educational opportunities in the year to come. While the online education program will be open to everyone, the YEE group’s grant called for in-person training to focus on a six-state region in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

January 2025 • Sheep Industry News • 15