Virtual Lambing Time Short Course

Lambing Time Short Course
The Pipestone Lambing Time Short Course & Bus Tour is a premier lambing time management school of the sheep industry. The program’s purpose is to help you improve your management skills during lambing, improve facility and labor efficiency, and form relationships in your business. The program combines lecture, group discussions, and tours of outstanding sheep operations. Program leaders include expert instructors with diverse and practical sheep experience and a highly-qualified veterinarian who enjoys sharing his sheep health knowledge. The farm tours highlight labor-savings management practices including barn layout and flow, raising lambs on milk replacer, lamb processing, and ewe and lamb feeding systems. The program will rotate between virtual and in-person delivery to best serve sheep producers in the area and across the country.

Course Details:

Overview

The 2025 Pipestone Lamb and Wool Program’s Virtual Lambing Time Short Course via Zoom will enhance lambing management skills, improve facility efficiency, and foster business relationships. It includes lectures, group discussions, and virtual tours of sheep operations, featuring expert instructors and a veterinarian sharing practical sheep health knowledge.

Dates

February 12 & 13, 2025

Time

Short course begins at 7:00 pm CST both nights

Location

Online via Zoom

Cost

$110 per operation

Highlights
  • Ewe and Lamb Health Concerns
  • Low Labor Lambing
  • Keys for Successful Lambing
  • Tours of Two Outstanding Sheep Operations
Tentative Schedule:

Wednesday, February 12, 2025

  • 7:00 p.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • 7:15 p.m. Cost Effective Ewe Rations
  • 7:45 p.m. Low Labor Lambing
  • 8:15 p.m. Virtual Farm Tour: Bon Homme Colony
    • Lambing Barn Layout & Flow
    • Artificial Rearing System
    • Low-Labor Management Concepts
    • Electronic Record Keeping
  • 9:15 p.m. Question & Answer Session
  • 9:30 p.m. End of Evening Program

Thursday, February 13, 2025

  • 7:00 p.m. Welcome & Opening Remarks
  • 7:15 p.m. Common Ewe Health Concerns
  • 7:45 p.m. Common Lamb Health Concerns
  • 8:30 p.m. Virtual Farm Tour: Mark Schleski
    • Easy Sheep Flow Through Lambing Barn
    • Lamb Management Philosophies
    • Lamb Processing
    • Low-Labor Sheep Feeding
  • 9:15 p.m. Question & Answer Session
  • 9:30 p.m. Program Conclusion

Virtual Farm Tour Producer Information

Thomas Stahl is the Bon Homme Colony Sheep Unit Manager (Tabor, SD). Since joining the Pipestone Lamb and Wool Program 15 years ago, he has expanded their flock to more than 1300 ewes, including 1000 prolific commercial white-faced sheep and 300 easy-care hair sheep.

Their operation utilizes many low-labor concepts to make it easier to run a large number of ewes. They use fence-line feeders in their outdoor lots and lamb their ewes in a wave system to maximize facility and labor efficiency. They use an automated milk machine to reduce labor for artificial rearing.

Their excellent management skills and utilization of the Shearwell Data System for genetic selection have allowed them to increase production per ewe.

Mark Schleski runs a 190-head flock of Polypay-type ewes outside of Renville, MN. His operation utilizes a renovated cattle barn with added insulation and supplemental heat. He has also built a hoop barn for additional storage and sheep pens.

He uses a multiple-group lambing system to efficiently utilize facilities and labor while working an off-farm job. He continues to implement low-labor feeding and management practices.

To help diversify flock income, Mark has begun targeted grazing in solar fields in his area. He has found success in genetic advancement by utilizing Shearwell record-keeping and data management for genetic selection and culling purposes.

Registration Information

To enroll, please print the registration form below

Registration Form

Enclose check payable to Minnesota West CTC
Mail to:

Minnesota West Community & Technical College
ATTN: Sue Lovell
401 West St., P.O. Box 269
Jackson, MN 56143

Please contact, Sue Lovell if you have questions.

Reciprocity

North Dakota and Wisconsin residents will be charged a higher tuition cost unless a reciprocity form is completed. A copy of the completed reciprocity form must accompany the registration form. See the application form for your state. Follow the instructions on how to print and complete the form. Contact the Lamb and Wool program if you need help completing the reciprocity form. Reciprocity forms must be completed online.

North Dakota Reciprocity  Wisconsin Reciprocity

South Dakota students should contact Minnesota West directly. South Dakota residents don’t need to send a form to their home state.