EAST LANSING, Mich. – Howling winter winds and driving snow aside, winter lambing is a reality for many shepherds. Sheep producers who are interested in learning how to optimize the birthing process with the added challenge of wintery weather are invited to attend a clinic presented by Michigan State University small ruminant specialist Richard Ehrhardt on Feb. 12. The program will be repeated on Feb. 19.
The Birth Management Clinic for Small Ruminants will take place at Ehrhardt’s sheep farm located at 6280 Kinneville Road, Eaton Rapids, from noon to 4:30 p.m. The discussion-based and hands-on program is designed for new or less experienced sheep producers, but anyone interested in improving decision making and sheep husbandry skills is invited to participate.
Program topics include assisting with the birth, caring for newborns, treating lambs for hypothermia and diagnosing mortality. The clinic will also cover feeding the ewe flock to optimize performance and well-being, ultrasound scanning to diagnose pregnancy and count fetuses, scoring body condition and pre-lambing shearing, as well as grafting procedures and vaccination protocols.
Enrollment is limited to 20 persons per session date so preregistration is required. The $30 registration fee includes proceedings and light refreshments and is due by Feb. 7. To register or obtain additional information, call Carla McLachlan at (517) 432-5402, or send an e-mail to mclachl2@msu.edu.
MSU Extension supports the Birth Management Clinic for Small Ruminants.
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