Public Invited to Enjoy Day at Laramie Research Farm

Kids can pet calves, lambs and piglets -- and adults can catch up on the latest genetic research on heifers, ewes and swine.

Family Farm Day at the University of Wyoming Laramie Research and Extension Center (LREC) is from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 12, at the Cliff and Martha Hansen Livestock Teaching Arena, 306 Highway 230, 2 miles west of Laramie.

The UW Food Science Club will serve a free lunch from noon-1 p.m., and tours of the nearby UW Stock Farm start at 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.

Kalli Koepke, assistant farm manager/sheep unit manager, says visitors can tour animal facilities at the Hansen Arena and watch members of the UW ranch horse team demonstrate skills they practice on the ranch and in competition.

UW student organizations Block and Bridle Club, Food Science Club, Wyoming Collegiate Cattlemen’s Association and the equestrian team also will be represented.

Koepke says visitors can learn about LREC genetic testing on sheep, studies on beef and sheep feed efficiency, and vitamin D in swine. 

Koepke says citizens can rent the Hansen Arena for events. She also encourages people to contact LREC beef, sheep and swine unit managers if they have questions about their own animals.

“We are glad to share what we know and to find answers if we don’t,” she says.

For more information, contact Koepke at (719) 314-6571 or kkoepke@uwyo.edu.