Sheep Update August 2000

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2000 Virginia Ram Lamb Performance Test and Sale
The Virginia Performance Tested Ram Lamb Sale will be held at the Virginia Sheep Evaluation Station near Steeles Tavern on Saturday, August 26, starting at 1:00 p.m. The barn will be open to buyers beginning at 9:00 a.m. The rams recently completed a 63-day gain test with the following performance results:

	63-day Test ADG	Off-Test WDA
16 Fall Dorsets	.86	.76
18 Winter Dorsets	.88	.91
30 Suffolks	1.01	1.08
9 Hampshires	1.09	1.14
73 Total Rams	.95	.97

The top 60 rams based on performance will be offered for sale. All rams sold will be evaluated for structural and reproductive soundness, and will be sold as guaranteed breeders. Complete performance information will be available. The Virginia Sheep Evaluation Station is located at the Shenandoah Valley Agriculture Research and Extension Center, .5 mile east of I-81 at Exit 205. For sale information and a catalog, contact Scott Greiner, Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, phone (540) 231-9159.

Sheep Management Basics Workshop Scheduled for October 19-20
The annual Virginia Tech Sheep Management Basics Workshop is scheduled for Thursday and Friday, October 19-20, 2000. The workshop will be held at the Copenhaver Sheep Center at Virginia Tech. This workshop is designed for individuals with a limited amount of experience in the care and management of sheep. Special emphasis will be placed on the management practices required in and around the time of lambing. Participants will get hands-on experience with a group of ewes that will be lambing during the two-day workshop. Other areas to be covered include Facilities and Handling, Baby Lamb Management, Flock Health, Flock Nutrition & Feeding Management, Breeding Management, Basic Record Keeping & Selection, and Lamb Marketing. This workshop is limited to a maximum of 25 participants. The cost is $30 per person. The first 25 preregistrants will be enrolled (deadline September 20). First-time participants will be given preference. To preregister for the workshop, contact: Dr. Scott Greiner, Department of Animal & Poultry Sciences (0306), Virginia Tech, 366 Litton Reaves Hall, Blacksburg, VA 24061, phone (540) 231-9163.