WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Purdue Agriculture’s Sheep and Wool Market Development Program (IN S&W) and the Indiana Sheep Association (ISA) are jointly sponsoring a new program called the Indiana Flock Exchange.Shepherds can participate in the Northern event Nov. 22 at the Pinney Purdue Ag Center. Along with ISA, Cora Reinbolt, small ruminant Extension specialist at Purdue, organized the program. The Flock Exchange strives to reach all facets of the Indiana Sheep Industry, with the three inaugural workshops focusing on flock health and parasite management. “Indiana’s small ruminant industry is vibrant and diverse, filled with producers that have been working with sheep for generations and those just starting out,” Reinbolt said. “They are interested in all sectors of the industry, from meat to fiber, show lambs to sheep dairies and beyond.” Reinbolt said the goal of the workshops is two-fold. “Firstly, to provide an educational offering that is beneficial to all of our producers, and then, to go beyond a single event toward building a network of sheep farmers across each region,” she said. “This network would be a way for all producers, no matter their level of experience, to be able to rely on one another for support and build events, marketing opportunities, and educational offerings of their own.” Program activities: - FAMACHA certification training for all participants; FAMACHA is a proven method of screening sheep for parasites to avoid excessive deworming which can lead to parasitic resistance. - Current state health issues affecting sheep session by the Indiana Board of Animal Health (BOAH). - Experienced Producer Panel; this panel will feature sheep producers from the respective region of the state discussing their experiences in flock health and answering questions specific to their region. The program will provide dinner included in the $10 registration fee. The workshop at Pinney Purdue will begin check-in at 1:30 p.m., with the program beginning at 2 p.m. EST. Registration for the event can be found on the ISA website homepage at www.indianasheep.com. |
