BF 232: Sheep Production

Managing Your Flock for Business Success

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Managing Your Flock for Success

Have sheep or thinking about getting a flock? Producers of all experience levels will find something for them in this lively, wide-ranging course. There is no one right way to raise sheep – just a palette of options for you to choose from, to suit your farming objectives and lifestyle. Taught by experienced sheep producers and Cornell Cooperative Extension educators, this course covers many of these different options, and strongly encourages active student participation.

Target Audience

All levels – This course is designed for commercial producers seeking to build their knowledge in production, marketing, processing, and sales of lamb and sheep products, to have a more profitable enterprise. We will cover management styles and marketing, focusing on meat production. While producers from any location are welcome to take the course, those in temperate Northern climates will get more out of the course weeks that focus on forages and nutrition, housing, and grazing.

Course Objectives

At the end of this course you will have:

  • Enhanced knowledge of nutrition, health management, housing and fencing, handling, record keeping, and selection of animals.
  • Identified opportunities for improving profitability through improved pasture productivity, controlling parasite issues, and reducing predator losses.

Webinars

The bulk of the course happens on your own time, with discussions, readings, and assignments in Teachable, our virtual classroom. To add to the experience, webinars will be woven into the online interface of the course to allow you to meet on a weekly basis to learn from presenters and ask questions in real time. If you miss one, they are always recorded and posted for later viewing.

Webinars Schedule

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. Once enrolled in this course, you will 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!


Your Instructor


Betsy Hodge and Lynn Bliven
Betsy Hodge and Lynn Bliven

Betsy Hodge has worn many hats in Extension over the years (since 1984!) from Dairy and Livestock “Agent” to County Director. Her current role is Regional Livestock Educator for Northern New York and as a local Extension Educator for St. Lawrence County. Her program focuses mainly on sheep and goats but includes all livestock such as beef, poultry, and swine. Areas covered include nutrition, management, marketing, rotational grazing, handling, parasite management and more. Betsy also acts as the shepherd for the Extension Learning Farm Flock in Canton and has a small flock of her own hair sheep at home.

Lynn Bliven is the Agriculture & Natural Resource Issue Leader for Cornell Cooperative Extension in Allegany County, NY. She began her career in 4-H and currently works in Agricultural Economic Development, specializing in beginning farmer outreach, local food systems and livestock production. Lynn and husband Shawn operate a 52 acre farm in Rushford, NY raising grass-fed beef and lamb.


Course Curriculum


  General Course Resources
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  Week 1: Marketing Possibilities and Lambing Strategies
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  Week 2: Matching Nutrition for Age and Stage
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  Week 3: Pasture, Predators, and Parasites
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  Week 4: Health Management
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  Week 5: Financial Considerations and a Quick Look at Housing and Handling Systems
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  Week 6: Record-keeping, ID, and Selection Methods
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Frequently Asked Questions


When does the course start and finish?
The course officially starts on the date given above, when the instructor gets involved and begins hosting live weekly webinars. If you are registering after the webinars have concluded for the year, you will have immediate access to all the course materials, and will be able to participate in the next year's webinars if you choose to.
How long do I have access to the course?
How does lifetime access sound? After enrolling, you have unlimited access to this course for as long as you like - across any and all devices you own.
What if I am unhappy with the course?
We would never want you to be unhappy! If you are unsatisfied with your purchase, contact us in the first 7 days and we will give you a full refund.

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