January 11, 2002

Sheep Seminar Set for Feb. 4 at NDSU Carrington Research Extension Center

A seminar on ewe nutrition and lamb management is scheduled for 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 4 at the North Dakota State University Carrington Research Extension Center.

The center is located about 3 1/2 miles north of Carrington on U.S. Highway 281. The meeting is free.

"With lamb and pregnant ewe prices at low levels, it’s tempting for producers to skimp on feed," notes Karl Hoppe, area extension livestock specialist at the center. "That can lead to pregnancy disease, also known as ketosis. That disease is almost always fatal to the lamb and frequently fatal for ewes."

Roger Haugen, sheep specialist with the NDSU Extension Service, will provide background on nutritional requirements for ewes and suggest ways to improve management for ewes and lambs. "It’s important to meet feed needs, but almost any producer can find ways to cut costs and improve management," Hoppe says.

Dave Merwin, president of the Dakota Lamb Growers Cooperative, will discuss lamb marketing alternatives through the cooperative. The cooperative is a relatively new venture that has tapped a growing market for lean lamb products. The cooperative is currently seeking additional lambs to meet the needs of it’s markets.

For more information, contact Hoppe at (701) 652-2951 or khoppe@ndsuext.nodak.edu .

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Source: Karl Hoppe, (701) 231-9629, khoppe@ndsuext.nodak.edu
Editor: Tom Jirik, (701) 231-9629, tjirik@ndsuext.nodak.edu