The Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association will host its annual conference Dec. 9 and 10 at the Holiday Inn in Alexandria, Minn.
The event starts with an interactive sheep tour at 1 p.m. on Friday at Dennis Lieser's operation, 29230 CR 175, Belgrade, Minn. Lieser will discuss how he manages 850 ewes, with over 200 lambing in the fall. He lambs the ewes in a barn with plastic slat flooring, grazes sheep on solar panel sites, and finishes his lambs for market.
An American Lamb social and fundraiser auction will follow at the Holiday Inn. The social, sponsored by Superior Farms, begins at 6:30 p.m. The hotel's executive chef will use a variety of ground lamb preparation methods and recipes.
Saturday's educational program will consist of timely industry updates from the American Sheep Industry Association, American Lamb Board and Superior Farms.
"As sheep producers, it is important to be at the forefront of our issues and how we can be involved in shaping the future of our industry," says Randy Kinney, Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association past president.
Further educational topics include mastitis and ewe milk production, sheep biosecurity, production economics and the new 2023 antibiotic use guidance. The afternoon discussion will highlight research accomplished by North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota as well as a panel focused on artificial insemination, embryo transfer and out-of-season breeding.
Previous Silver Bell award winners, Steve Scheffert and Randy Kinney, will provide an overview of their operations and share their secrets for success. This year's award winners will also be recognized at the luncheon.
"Our esteemed award winners have served our Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, and it is a tremendous honor not only for them to be recognized but also for them to tell their own story for conference attendees," says Travis Hoffman, sheep specialist for North Dakota State University Extension and University of Minnesota Extension.
A key focus of conference is the importance of sheep producers' contribution to the wool, fiber and apparel industry. Wool-focused educational fiber arts activities include acclaimed fiber enthusiast Becky Utecht and talented local wool handspinners. Learn a new wool felting skill or the joys of handspinning with interactive breakout activities.
The Minnesota Make It With Wool program competition will be held on Saturday morning. Then participants of all ages will model their wool garments during the fashion show following the Saturday luncheon.
"Our Minnesota wool enthusiasts take great pride in creating and modeling their efforts that promote wool in lifestyle clothing for Make It With Wool events," says Glennette Sperry, Minnesota Make It With Wool chair.
Registration information will be available on the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Facebook page and www.mnlwp.org .
Event sponsors include Minnesota Corn Growers, Minnesota Department of Agriculture, American Sheep Industry Association, American Lamb Board and Superior Farms.
Categories: Minnesota, Crops, Corn, Livestock, Goats & Sheep