Listen to Interview with Dr. Kelly Froehlich
HURON, SD – Whether looking for a way to enter the livestock production business or considering ways to diversify your livestock operation, the answer may lie in sheep.
At the upcoming South Dakota Sheep Growers Association (SDSGA) Premium Yearling Ewe Sale set for Sat., July 23, there is the opportunity to explore both, from one of the region’s premier yearling ewe sales offering top genetics in smaller lots, to educational programs ranging from production to understanding meat marketing, says Dr. Kelly Froehlich, SDSU Small Ruminant Specialist.
Beginning at 10am (MT) at Magness Livestock Auction, Froehlich says the free education program has been a nice compliment to the SDSGA Premium Yearling Ewe Sale. This years sessions cover forage, use of antibiotics, the latest in scrapie regulations and understanding how a carcass breaks down for resale.
For those considering entering the sheep production business, Freohlich is excited about a new program that will be reviewed during presentations as well. The Emerging Sheep Producers Program is designed for sheep producers who want to develop or improve a full or part-time sheep operation and is an opportunity for participants to increase their knowledge of all aspects of the sheep industry and improve their skills needed to be successful shepherds.
According to Froehlich, a Minnesota native who completed her undergraduate studies at Minnesota State University, a Masters through South Dakota State University, and her Ph.D in New Zealand, the day long event also supports the Youth Buyer Credit Program, where a roll-over auction is held during the sale to help raise money to fund the program that allows youth to purchase sheep to get started or add to their own herds.
The SDSGA created the Premium Yearling Ewe Sale five years ago after identifying a need for a sale that focused on smaller load lots (while offering high quality breeding ewes) for producers with smaller flocks and also for beginning producers.
