Prerequisite:
None required. Completion or
concurrent attendance in ASCI 223 is recommended.
Advisor: Rob Rutherford
Duration: January and February
Contact information: Rub Rutherford
Enterprise description: Students on this
enterprise will assist in the management of the ewe flock during
lambing season. This will entail recording birth information and
identification of new born lambs, cross fostering when necessary,
assistance during delivery if necessary, diagnosis and treatment of
health problems, moving the flock according to grazing plans.
Skills required: The ability and willingness to learn is
the only skill that is required to be on this project. Skills that
are likely to be gained during the enterprise are numerous –
including proper and safe operation of equipment, diagnosis of
health problems, treatment techniques including stomach tubing,
various injection approaches, oral drenches, and bolus
administration. Other skills include personal intercommunication,
heightened awareness of sheep behavior necessary for low-stress
management, forage monitoring, and post mortem conduct.
Benefits to students: This is a very short term and
intense enterprise. During these two months, approximately 120 ewes
will lamb producing over 200 lambs. Students will have the
opportunity to be faced with many of the challenges of a lambing
season without leaving campus. Because the student shepherds are
there to assist the project supervisor – inexperienced students can
feel confident in their hands on learning. The experiences on this
project will bring reality to the knowledge gained in classes
throughout the animal science curriculum.
