Sheep Home Study Course

Welcome to the Penn State Cooperative Extension Sheep Home Study Course information page! The next course will begin on February 6, 2008.

Who Should Sign Up?

Anyone interested in raising sheep should sign up. Course is designed for both part-time and full-time producers.

• You will gain a better understanding of the basics of sheep production.
  
• You will learn how to feed to meet the nutritional needs of sheep.
  
• You will learn about the reproductive process in sheep.
  
• You will learn how to keep sheep healthy and how to correct health problems.
• You will learn effective ways to market your lambs.
  
• You will learn how to properly handle financial issues related to sheep production.
  

View lesson topics below

How Does The Course Work?

• Lessons are mailed weekly for six weeks.
  The first lesson will be mailed on February 6.
  
• Read weekly lesson materials and complete worksheet.
  
• Return worksheet and any questions to Melanie Barkley at Bedford County Extension Office.
• Worksheets ask questions about YOUR individual operation. You will receive personalized comments and suggestions for ways to improve your operation.
  

Cost Of The Course:

• Internet/email $35.00
• Postal service $60.00

For more information: Contact Melanie Barkley at (814) 623-4800 or email.

Click here to sign up

Lesson 1: Basic Production Information

• Sheep Production Essentials: Some Guidelines for Success
• Wool Production Basics
• Sheep Selection

Lesson 4: Health

• Foot Rot
• Internal Parasites
• Scrapie
• Docking and Castration
• Other Health Issues

Lesson 2: Reproduction

• Ram Soundness
• Flushing Ewes
• Lambing Ewes
• The Process of Lambing

Lesson 5: Marketing

• What Is A Marketing Plan and How Do I Develop One?
• Marketing Meat Animals Directly to Consumers
• Goat and Lamb Holidays
• Fitting Breeding Sheep

Lesson 3: Nutrition

• Basic Ration Balancing
• Feeding the Flock
• Feeding the Market Lamb
• Grazing Alfalfa
• Strategies for Extending the Grazing Season
• Four Steps to Rotational Grazing

Lesson 6: Financial Information

• Farm Business Analysis
• Enterprise Budget Analysis
• Feeder Lambs
• Spring Lambing
• Accelerated Lambing
• Milking Sheep
• Off Season and Holiday Lamb Production