Sheep for Profit School

Sheep for Profit School
The Sheep for Profit School is the professional management and business school of the sheep industry. The purpose of the school is to help you improve your sheep management skills; increase the profitability of your sheep operation and form relationships in your business. The school will be intense and combine lectures, group discussions, and visits to outstanding Pipestone area sheep operations. Expert instructors with diverse and practical sheep experience will help you define your vision and build a practical plan to achieve your goals. The Sheep for Profit School is a four-day short course offered during July in odd-numbered years (next Sheep for Profit School: July 9 - 12, 2025). This investment will change your sheep operation and your view of the sheep industry.
Course Details

Dates: July 9 - 12, 2025
Location: Minnesota West Community & Technical College, Pipestone Campus

Before the School Activities
Submit info for Sheep Enterprise Analysis
Review Home Study Course lessons

After the School Activities
Receive 2025/2026 Newsletters
Instructors available for email/phone consultation

Tentative Schedule & Topics

Wednesday, July 9, 2025 -  4:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

  • Welcome & Introductions
  • Sheep Industry Overview
  • Sheep Production Economics
  • Philosophy of Sheep Management

Thursday, July 10, 2025 - 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m. 

  • Marketing Lamb and Wool
  • Goal Setting
  • Develop Personal & Business Goals
  • Facility Designs & Considerations
  • Common Feedstuffs & Their Nutrient Value
  • Nutrient Requirements of Sheep
  • Ewe Feed Rations
  • Lamb Feed Rations
  • Develop a Year-Round Feeding Plan

Farm Tour

  • Sheep Facilities
  • Body Condition Scoring
  • Ewe Nutrition & Feeding

Friday, July 11, 2025 - 8:00 a.m. - 9:00 p.m.

  • Common Ewe Diseases
  • Common Lamb Diseases
  • Biosecurity & Preventative Health
  • Develop a Flock Health Plan
  • Record Keeping
  • Genetic Selection
  • Building a Ewe Flock
  • Develop a Flock Genetics Plan

Farm Tour 

  • Sheep Facilities
  • Record Keeping
  • Genetic Selection

Saturday, July 12, 2025 - 8:00 a.m. - 12:20 p.m.

  • Reproductive Cycle of Sheep
  • Manipulating of the Breeding Cycle
  • Breeding Time Management
  • Develop a Flock Breeding Plan

To enroll, print and complete the registration form or contact Sue Lovell.

Register

Cost: $595 (includes tuition, handouts, lunch, supper, snacks, and refreshments)
Minimum Enrollment: 15 students. Maximum Enrollment: 30 students.

North Dakota and Wisconsin residents will be charged a higher tuition rate unless a reciprocity form is submitted with the registration form. See reciprocity information for more details and the application form for your state. Follow the instructions on how to print and complete the form. Contact us 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 do not need to send a form to their home state.

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