Lamb and wool producers will want to mark their calendars and plan to attend the 2017 Pipestone Lamb and Wool Program Lambing Time Short Course and Bus Tour on Feb. 10-11.

The short course focuses on the management prior to, during and after lambing, and the effect it has on lamb losses, pounds of lamb marketed, input costs and labor requirements. The tour will provide producers the opportunity to see firsthand how other producers recognize, manage and deal with lambing time challenges.

“We have an excellent program planned, and we will be touring two outstanding sheep operations,” says Philip Berg, lamb and wool instructor at Minnesota West Community and Technical College, Pipestone.

The program starts with an optional Friday afternoon (Feb. 10) hands-on computer recordkeeping session using Microsoft Excel and Shearwell Data FarmWorks software programs. Friday evening and Saturday morning sessions (Feb. 10-11) will cover lambing time management and health topics. Saturday afternoon will be spent touring and viewing two successful sheep operations.

Berg says the short course and bus tour are planned in such a way as to help producers recognize and effectively deal with common lambing time problems.

“We are fortunate to have highly qualified sheep veterinarians on the program to share their thoughts on common lamb and ewe health problems,” he says. “Touring two top area sheep operations in the afternoon will provide an opportunity for individuals to see firsthand how other sheep producers recognize and deal with lambing time problems. You will see how they lay out their lambing barn, set up creep pens, graft lambs, dock, vaccinate, feed and manage their lambs and ewes. The farm demonstration session will provide an excellent learning opportunity.”

The farm tours will visit operations of Randy Holinka and Peter Noding.

For those who are unable to attend the short course and bus tour, Berg says the college offers a web-based Lambing Time Management Series, which consists of six recorded topics that can be viewed on an internet connection in the comfort of the producer’s home or office.

The cost is $99 and includes tuition, bus transportation and a noon meal.

For more information, visit pipestonesheep.com. Or, contact Claire Beekman, 507-825-6822, at [email protected].