WOOSTER, Ohio — Over 130 members of Ohio’s sheep community gathered at the Ohio State University Wooster Campus Shisler Conference Center on Dec 2 for the 2023 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium. The theme of the 2023 symposium was Nutrition and Marketing and featured presentations on nutrition as it primarily relates to sheep flocks including an emphasis on club lamb flock nutrition and marketing insights of sheep, lamb, and wool. 

In addition to informational sessions, the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association/Ohio Sheep and Wool Program (OSIA/OSWP) held its annual meeting and hosted the group’s Industry Awards Program. A silent auction and trade show filled out the program schedule. 

After moving around the state Wooster has become home to the Symposium for the past several years allowing the event to develop into its current structure. “We always tried to have an annual meeting and it’s evolved into a symposium-type structure with speakers and the annual meeting for the State Sheep Association and our check-off board,” said OSIA trustee, Tim Barnes. “In the beginning, it was segmented, but in the last 10 to 15 years It’s evolved into a one-day event where it is today.”

Speakers at this year’s event included Dr. Francis Fluharty, Chair of Animal Sciences, University of Georgia, Allen Johnson, Purina/Johnson Show Lambs, Club Lamb Flock Nutrition, and Dr. David Anderson, Agricultural Economist, Texas A&M University.

Dr. Fluhary and Johnson focused on sheep nutrition, namely some guidelines on feeding sheep and lambs, the interaction of vitamins and minerals within the sheep’s body, and the principles of a productive club lamb flock and the nutrition requirements for fair preparation. Dr Anderson discussed the lamb market across the country stretching into 2024-2025.

Ohio’s sheep industry remains steady with an estimated 4,123 farms and over 125,000 sheep and lambs. Ohio ranks 11th in sheep and lamb production in the nation. “The sheep industry in Ohio is pretty consistent,” says Barnes. “We have the largest sheep numbers east of the Mississippi. Our flocks tend to be relatively small but we are of the largest group of producers in the nation.

Ohio sheep are primarily raised for meat, although wool and dairy production is an important segment of the industry. Proximity to the East Coast’s fine dining establishments and diverse ethnic populations drives the demand for lamb “Almost all of the consumption is in the eastern part of the United States,” Barnes said. “A large number of the lambs that are produced annually end up going either Philadelphia or New York, those east coast markets.” 

Award winners in youth programs included Chloe Heidlebaugh - Ohio Lamb and Wool Ambassador & Ralph H. Grimshaw Memorial Scholarship Winner; Bailee Amstutz - 2023 Ohio and National FFA Sheep Proficiency Award Winner; Linsey Eddy _ Dr. Jack Judy Memorial Scholarship Winner; Kaitlyn Zeedyk - High Family Memorial Scholarship Winner, and Adeline Kendle - OSIA LEAD Council Scholarship Winner.

The OSIA/OSWP Distinguished Service Award went to Becky Sexten from Greene County. Sexton has term-limited off of the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program Board in 2023 after serving a full nine years as a board member.

OSIA/OSWP Friend of the Ohio Sheep Industry recognized Dr. Cathann A. Kress and Adam Sharp. Dr. Kress has been committed to the Ohio sheep and lamb industry through her continued support of Ohio State University sheep programming and Sharp has been a long-time supporter of Ohio’s sheep and lamb industry through his leadership at the Ohio Farm Bureau Federation.    

The Charles Boyles Master Shepherd Award, the highest award presented for the Ohio Sheep Industry, went to Dr. Farabee and Joy McCarthy, who operate a Purebred Polled Dorset flock and are dedicated to mentorship, assistance, and family. Farabee is also recognized for his service to the sheep industry and for his influence on the University of Findlay Southdown sheep flock, which is nationally recognized.  

Planning for next year’s event is already underway according to Roger High, Ohio Sheep Improvement Association Executive Director. “We already have it scheduled for Dec 7 next year at the same location,” High said. “We will look at the evaluations from this year and as soon as we get into the new year and get our committee set up again, then we will start the planning process. We’ll work through the entire year. It’s a long scheduling  process with food and speakers and all of that stuff that needs to take place.”