Pre Festival Shepherd Workshops

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Hands-on Basic Shepherding with Dr. Richard Barczewski

S-1 Friday, May 2 – 9:00 to noon – Show Ring – Pre-registration and fee

S-2 Friday, May 2 – 1:00 to 4:00 – Show Ring – Pre-registration and fee

This workshop is a must for novice shepherds and for Festival visitors who dream of managing a flock of sheep some day. Dr. Richard Barczewski, Associate Professor in the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources at Delaware State University, begins with basic sheep handling, selection and evaluation techniques.

Demonstrations of foot trimming, vaccination and deworming will be made.

Discussions of housing, pasture management, feeding, marketing, parasite control, health care and recordkeeping are all included. The workshop includes ample time for
questions and informal discussion and lots of handouts.

Class fee: $30. 25 Students

ASI Wool Science 202 with Bob Padula

S-3 Friday, May 2 – 9:00 to noon – Building 3 – Pre-registration and fee

ASI Wool Quality Improvement Consultant Bob Padula will provide in-depth information on wool production, management, and objective measurement. Special topics will include the relationship of testing information to wool processing; genetic selection programs; sheep and flock management issues; and wool marketing. The OFDA2000 equipment (in-field wool testing equipment) will be used during the program to help explain and show the affects of nutrition on wool growth and the inherent variability of wool within a sample and fleece.

Participants will learn about the variety of uses for wool in both the commercial, textile, and industrial industries, with examples of what wool types are used for end products and how each use impacts the prices for wool to the grower, both domestically and internationally.

Class fee: $30. 25 Students

Integrated Parasite Management with Susan Schoenian

S-4 Friday, May 2 – 9:00 to 1:00 – Pavilion Tent – Pre-registration and fee

Internal parasites (worms) are becoming a greater problem on sheep farms due to the widespread emergence of drug-resistant worms and a return to more traditional pasture-based sheep farming practices. Producers can become certified in the “new” FAMACHA© system by participating in this four-hour pre-Festival workshop which will cover all aspects of internal parasites and their control in sheep and goats. The FAMACHA© system utilizes a color eye anemia chart to evaluate barber pole worm infection in small ruminants. Susan Schoenian, Sheep& Goat Specialist for University of Maryland Cooperative Extension will lead this workshop that combines hands-on learning with a lecture/discussion format.

Class fee: $30. Materials fee paid at class: $25 per farm or family