Northwest Region Lamb Workshop Nov. 3

The Lamb 300 workshop that has attracted hundreds of producers, marketers, chefs and educators in the Pacific Northwest since 2006 is coming to the University of Wyoming Nov. 3-5.

The hands-on, farm-to-table, shank-to-flank training is dedicated to increasing the quality and demand for lamb and lamb products.

“This is a great opportunity for Wyoming producers to increase meat quality and wholesomeness, and improve their marketing, profitability and competitiveness,” says Warrie Means, UW Extension meats specialist and associate professor of meat science and food technology. In some production systems, it makes sense for cattle producers to add lambs to the mix, he adds.

Sessions are at the Laramie Research and Extension Center, 1174 Snowy Range Road, and the UW Animal Science/Molecular Biology Building on campus. Registration is limited to 32 participants. Online registration is at bit.ly/Lamb300. Information on registration by mail is at bit.ly/Lamb300flyer. The $170 registration fee covers three lunches, two dinners and workshop materials.

Optional lamb plant tours of the Superior Farms plant in Denver and the Mountain States-Rosen plant in Greeley, Colo., are Nov. 2.

Lamb 300 includes an overview of feeding, management and genetic factors that contribute to meat quality.

Besides producers large and small, Lamb 300 is for veterinarians, agriculture educators, fair and junior show representatives, livestock judges, niche marketers and chefs.

Training is provided in live animal evaluation, processing, carcass grading and factors that determine value and influence prices. Overviews of the industry, marketing opportunities and product development are scheduled. Also included are a session on how to pair wine and lamb, and a sheep and lamb knowledge quiz bowl.

Lamb 300 is hosted by the UW Extension and Agricultural Experiment Station, Washington State University Extension, Oregon State University Extension, Superior Farms and the American Sheep Industry Association’s Let’s Grow program.

According to Sarah Smith, Washington State Extension regional specialist in animal sciences, the name Lamb 300 was inspired by the practice of giving 100 numbers to introductory college courses and 300 numbers to courses that explore a subject in greater depth.

For more information or to register, see the brochure at bit.ly/Lamb300brochure, or contact Means at (307) 766-5283 or means@uwyo.edu.