Webinar Dates

In 2024, this course will be offered live for 6-weeks on Wednesdays from 7:00 – 8:30 PM (Eastern) from January 17 – February 21. While we encourage live attendance, so you have the opportunity to engage with presenters and ask questions, all webinars are recorded and posted in the online classroom to watch anytime. You will also retain access to all materials indefinitely and can return to participate in the live webinars in future offerings of the course if you wish. Join us!

To access the webinars during our next live session, you will simply need to click on the webinar join link that is posted in the Weekly Resources section of this course. This link only works on the appointed day and time for the webinar, so while you can try clicking it sooner, it won't open the webinar meeting for you.

You may also join our webinars from a mobile device by installing the official Zoom app from your preferred app store. Then, when it's time for a webinar, simply open your Zoom app and enter the 9-digit meeting ID that will be posted along with the webinar link.

Weekly Topics

Week 1: Market Possibilities and Strategies

Topics covered: Navigating in Teachable (our online classroom), course expectations, student introductions, sheep management systems and how they relate to marketing, your farm resources and the rest of your life. Lambing at different times of year as well as how many times a year will be addressed.

Week 2: Matching Nutrition for Age & Stage 

Topics covered: Considerations for determining feeding styles, feeders and grouping of animals, forage analysis, the value of good forages, and the management of forage handling to minimize waste while maintaining quality. A little pasture introduction will be included as well.

Week 3: Pasture, Parasites and Predators 

Topics covered: 3P’s of sheep production – management tools to improve pasture quality, reduce parasite issues, and minimize predator losses. Grazing can be an integral part of sheep farming. Learn about rotational grazing, fencing types, guardian animals, evasive grazing to control parasites, pasture improvement, how to measure the dry matter in your pasture and where to get a grazing plan.

Week 4: Health Management 

Topics covered: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Development of a flock health program, including planning to prevent health problems, vaccinations, foot care, biosecurity, and purchasing animals, developing a vet relationship, medicine storage, quality assurance programs.

 Week 5: Record Keeping, identification methods, and selection methods to meet your goals 

Topics covered: Planning and record keeping, computer programs, resources to get you started and/or further develop plans for improving your sheep enterprise.

Week 6: Financial Considerations of Sheep Farming and a quick look at Housing and Handling Systems 

Topics covered: Creating a business, budgeting and financial planning for sheep farms, and decision making. Also a quick look at proper handling, basics of sheep behavior, space requirements, site selection, feeder and water placement, and housing options.

Webinar Participants' Guide