Around the States
Michigan
MSU Management Series: Forage & Grazing
As part of Michigan State University Extension’s Small Ruminant Management Series, this two-day event will focus on improving forage use through grazing, as well as efficient machine harvesting.
A variety of topics will be covered, such as tips for selecting and maintaining an optimal forage system for your farm, species identification, forage planning throughout the year, soil health, estimating forage mass, pasture establishment and renovation, use of annual crops, grazing health, and silage feeding. A mixture of seminars and farm workshops will combine classroom learning with hands-on activities in order to help you make informed forage decisions on your farm.
The program will be held in Anthony Hall, 474 S. Shaw Lane, in East Lansing, Mich., and at the MSU Sheep Teaching & Research Center, 5525 Bennett Road on June 26 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and June 27 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. The cost is $150/person and additional members of the same farm or family may attend for $100/person. Meals and materials will be provided.
Register online at Commerce.cashnet.com/msu_3645. Look under the MSU Extension tab on the homepage. Registration closes on June 15. Contact Carla McLachlan at [email protected] with registration questions or Erin Recktenwald at [email protected] regarding content.
California, Iowa & Vermont
Wool Workshops in the Works
Plans are underway for the California Wool Classing School to be held May 10-12 at the University of California Hopland Research and Extension Center.
In cooperation with the University of California Cooperative Extension Mendocino County, students will learn the basics of wool science, factors determining wool value, basics of wool handling and wool quality improvement programs. To fine tune the skill of wool classing, students will work with an experienced wool classer who works in most of the western states. The class has already reached its enrollment limit at 15.
A Wool Education Seminar during the Commercial Sheep Production Workshop is planned during the Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival, June 17-18, in Ames, Iowa. This large gathering of sheep and wool enthusiasts hosts a variety of events sponsored by the Iowa Sheep Industry Association. Events include a fleece and photo show, fiber classes and a large vendor show. School details are still being developed.
Plans are beginning for a Wool Handling School in Vermont in early summer – date and location yet to be determined. Wool handling schools focus on an overview of wool science, responsibility in wool production, wool contamination sources, wool value determining characteristics, wool processing and hands-on experience in wool handling and preparation.
Please contact Lisa Surber at [email protected] if you are interested in hosting or attending a wool classing or handling school, or with any questions about the program.
All States
ASI Accepting ALB, NSIIC Nominations
ASI is accepting nominations through May 5 for openings on the board of directors of both the American Lamb Board and the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center.
The American Lamb Board has two producer openings – one for a producer with less than 100 lambs and one for a producer with more than 500 lambs. NSIIC has three openings, two of which are for sheep producers. Candidates must be nominated by USDA Certified Nominating Organizations and complete all nomination forms. As a certified organization, ASI is accepting applications from sheep producers for consideration.
Anyone interested in applying should first consult with representatives from their state sheep association and the ASI Executive Board member from their region. Applications for openings should be submitted to ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick at [email protected] by May 5.