Lamb & Wool Management
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Lamb and Wool Management, Diploma
The Diploma in Lamb and Wool Management equips you with the knowledge in animal science, husbandry, and economics needed for a productive and profitable sheep enterprise that aligns with your personal and business goals.
Our Sheep Management Courses are entirely online, allowing you to explore both
philosophy and practical management from the comfort of your home.
Our popular Home Study one-credit course offers a year-round overview of sheep management,
covering both philosophy and its link to business goals.
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.
LAMB AND WOOL MEMBERSHIP PROGRAM EDUCATION
Each Lamb and Wool Program Member 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.
Long Distance and Sheep Consulting options receive their farm visits via phone or video calling platform.
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.
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.
Instructors are available by phone and email during office hours to answer specific management questions.
Each Lamb and Wool Program Member will receive regular email updates often including marketing conditions along with any additional timely and pertinent information.
Members receive quarterly newsletters which cover upcoming events, current industry news, and timely management information.
Members are encouraged to submit financial and production records to be analyzed and are valuable in determining profitable management strategies.
Periodic sessions are held on member farms to demonstrate new management technologies.
Program History
Sheep Management Wheel
The Pipestone Sheep Management Wheel was developed to make ewe flock management decisions
simple and easy. The wheel is basically a management calendar. It works by setting
the date you lamb and all the management tasks that you need to do for the ewe and
her lambs for the entire year are indicated on the wheel.
The wheel contains lots of management information based on the way we raise sheep
in the Pipestone area. The wheel is made of high quality, washable plastic that will
last a very long time. It also makes a great gift. The cost of the wheel is $12.
To order a Pipestone Sheep Management Wheel
Send $12 (make checks payable to Minnesota West) to:
Pipestone Lamb and Wool Program
1314 North Hiawatha
P. O. Box 250
Pipestone, Minnesota 56164
Contact Us
Lamb and Wool Management Program
Pipestone Campus
1314 North Hiawatha
P. O. Box 250
Pipestone, Minnesota 56164
Request Program Information
To receive information about upcoming educational programs, complete and submit this
form.