NEWS for North Dakotans
Agriculture Communication, North Dakota State University
7 Morrill Hall, Fargo, ND 58105-5665
January 13, 2000
Annual Sheep Day Scheduled for Feb. 9 at NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center
Sheep research in the region and future trends in the sheep industry will be
highlighted at the 41st annual Sheep Day at North Dakota State University's Hettinger
Research Extension Center Feb. 9.
"This event gives sheep producers a chance to preview the research that will have
an impact on their farms and to hear from leaders in the industry," says Tim Faller,
director of the center. "It also brings together producers, researchers and others
from the region to discuss common issues and opportunities."
The day begins at 9 a.m. with an open house at the research center's barns to tour
projects and view rams on the ram test. The day's events will conclude at about 3:30 p.m.
The Hettinger Armory opens at 9:30 for coffee and registration for an early bird drawing
for a Columbia ewe lamb to be given away before the program begins at 10:15 a.m. The
morning program at the armory features current research updates.
- NDSU researcher Paul Berg will discuss progress on the lean lamb project that is
developing selection techniques to help producers maximize the production of lean meat.
Berg coordinates the multistate research effort.
- Research on the use of field peas as a feed for sheep will be outlined by Marc Bauer,
NDSU livestock nutrition researcher.
- Studies on metabolizable protein in lamb finishing diets will be discussed by Erik Loe,
a graduate research assistant in the NDSU animal and range sciences department.
- Research on the effects of combined beef and sheep grazing on leafy spurge-infested
rangeland using rotations and season-long grazing techniques will be outlined by Jack
Dahl, a range research technician at the Hettinger Research Extension Center, and Lyndon
Johnson, a graduate research assistant in the NDSU animal and range sciences department.
- Jeff Held, South Dakota State University Extension sheep specialist, will discuss
results of the 1999 ram test that is conducted cooperatively in the Dakotas.
- Faller will review research on low-input sheep production and studies on methods of
producing lambs out of season.
An American lamb dinner will be served at the armory at noon, followed by comments from
Joe Chapman, president of North Dakota State University.
A program for spouses begins at 1 p.m. The Adams County Family and Community Education
clubs will present a program on bridal dresses of a century.
Afternoon research sessions open at 1:10.
- A discussion of how to position lamb producers to be competitive in the U.S. market will
be led by NDSU Extension sheep specialist Roger Haugen, SDSU Extension sheep specialist
Jeff held and NDSU researcher Paul Berg.
- NDSU agricultural economists Dean Bangsund and Larry Leistritz will review economic
considerations of leafy spurge control.
- The feasibility of large-scale sheep production cooperatives will be discussed by NDSU
agricultural economist Randy Sell and Dan Nudell, research specialist at the Hettinger
Research Extension Center.
- Phil Matrangelo, North Dakota director for the USDA wildlife services, will outline
services and future trends for predator control.
- Leroy Johnson, past superintendent of the Hettinger Research Extension Center, will
comment on the history of the region's sheep production and give his perspective of the
future.
- Burt Pfliger, president of the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, will
provide closing comments.
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Source: Tim Faller (701) 567-4323
Editor: Tom Jirik (701) 231-9629