Management Education Programs

Lamb and Wool Management:  Member Producer Program

Program Goals

• Provide information and education in the areas of enterprise management, nutrition, health, breeding practices, lambing techniques, facility design and layout, marketing, economics of production, and record keeping that will lead to greater bottom line profits.
• Assist members in implementing sound, profitable management practices.
• Keep members informed of the latest research findings and new technologies available.
• Assist in identifying superior genetics and acquiring sound, high quality, productive breeding stock.
• Educate members on breeding, feeding, and marketing methods that will produce a uniform, high quality market lamb and wool clip that will receive a premium price.
• Assist members in developing and using effective financial and production record systems.

Pipestone Lamb and Wool Production Program Option

Lamb and Wool Program Educational Activities

Farm Visits – Each producer will receive farm visits based on their selected program option. Each visit is about two hours long and covers questions and concerns about their sheep operation and assists them in applying innovative technology and management methods.

Virtual Farm Visits – Long Distance and Sheep Consulting options will receive scheduled/requested virtual farm visits via phone or video calling platform (e.g., Zoom, Teams). Visits are about 1-2 hours long and cover questions and concerns about their sheep operation.

Farm Focus Groups – Each program member is invited to a small group meeting at a central location. The farm focus meeting is designed to enhance sharing of ideas in a small group setting by touring the host farm and discussing current management principles, questions, and concerns. The meetings are approximately 2 ½ hours in length.

Classes & Meetings – Meetings on various management topics are presented throughout the year. Meetings are delivered in-person or webinar via Zoom. In-person meeting locations include Pipestone, MN; Spencer, IA; and Hawarden, IA. Guest speakers will also be invited to speak on pertinent subjects in their area of expertise via Zoom.

Phone & Email Access – Instructors are available by phone and email during office hours to answer specific management questions.

Email Updates – Each member will receive regular email updates often including lamb carcass prices and common commodity prices along with any additional timely and pertinent information.

Newsletters – Members receive quarterly newsletters which cover upcoming events, current industry news, and timely management information.

Home Study Course – This course includes 14 lessons which cover all aspects of modern sheep production. After completion of the course, lessons make good reference material.

Enterprise Analysis – Members are encouraged to submit financial and production records to be analyzed and are valuable in determining profitable management strategies.

On-Farm Demonstrations – Periodic sessions are held on member farms to demonstrate new management technologies.

Lambing Time Short Course – The short course is designed to cover specific lambing time management topics and tour successful lambing operations in either a virtual or in-person format. Full program, long distance, and sheep consulting members attend at a reduced fee (meal and bus cost only). Small and Intermediate flock members pay full rate for the short course.  

Sheep Facilities Tour – All program options pay full rate for Sheep Facility Tour. This tour is only offered in June of even numbered years.