(ND Ag Connection) – The North Dakota State University (NDSU) Extension is hosting a valuable clinic for shepherds, both novice and seasoned, focusing on the critical aspects of lambing. Scheduled for January 20 at NDSU’s Carrington Research Extension Center (CREC), this clinic is poised to deepen participants’ understanding and practices in lambing management.

Travis Hoffman, a sheep specialist with NDSU and University of Minnesota Extension, emphasizes the clinic’s role in maximizing the outcomes of breeding programs. The workshop promises to offer vital resources and education for optimizing lambing operations.

The clinic, starting at 10:30 a.m. Central time at CREC, located at 663 U.S. Highway 28, will cover various topics related to sheep farming, including managing lambing difficulties, disease prevention, vaccine and antibiotic use, parasite management, predator control, and ewe nutrition, with esteemed presenters including Joe Hochhalter, Monica Fitterer, Cody Krause, and Karl Hoppe.

In addition to theoretical insights, the clinic includes a practical segment with a producer tour at the Jared Higgins Ranch in Woodworth, North Dakota. Higgins will provide an interactive experience in his lambing barn, discussing his protocols and addressing challenges encountered during the lambing season.

This clinic comes at a time when interest in sheep farming is surging in North Dakota. It offers a prime opportunity for producers to network and learn from one another’s experiences. The event, ending at 3 p.m., is free, but pre-registration is recommended. Participants can enjoy a lamb brat lunch sponsored by the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association.

The lambing workshop, an educational event, offers a platform for growth and collaboration among passionate sheep farming enthusiasts. To register attendees can visit ndsu.ag/lambingworkshop.