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Phone: (307) 766-2929
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UW, Wyoming Wool Initiative Launch Inaugural Lamb

man and woman with a large number of sheep
Producers Glenda Hlavnicka and Ivan Laird, from Lander, stand near lambs donated to Wyoming’s first Lamb-a-Year program. They transported some of their own lambs and other producers’ lambs to UW’s Laramie Research and Extension Center. (Wyoming Wool Initiative Photo)

This fall, the University of Wyoming and the Wyoming Wool Initiative launched the state’s first Lamb-a-Year program.

Thanks to the generosity of 25 Wyoming producers and NexGen Feed Solutions, 143 lambs, 10,000 pounds of feed and several cash donations have made it possible for UW students to learn firsthand about the feeding, finishing and harvesting stages of lamb production.

Last month, donated lambs were transported to UW’s Laramie Research and Extension Center, where students helped with backgrounding and vaccination.

“I’m already blown away by what this year has become, which is a direct result of the generosity of the industry, especially during a challenging economic time,” says Whit Stewart, UW Extension sheep specialist and an associate professor of animal science.

Stewart is the instructor for the inaugural Lamb-a-Year class, a hands-on, one-credit course that introduces UW students to the lamb production industry. In addition to feeding, weighing and checking the lambs throughout the semester, students have the opportunity to engage with producers, direct marketers, lamb processors, and feed and pharmaceutical company representatives.

“My favorite part of the class, so far, and also what I am looking forward to the most is the discussions we have with people in the industry,” says Elisabeth Dooley, a junior from Casper majoring in animal and veterinary science. “In agriculture, hands-on experience is priceless.”

A key goal of the program is to offer Lamb-a-Year donors with information they can use to inform decision-making in their individual operations. This includes sharing growth performance, meat quality and carcass data with donating producers.

Under Stewart’s guidance, the 10 students in the program are experimenting with cost-effective feeding and management options compared to traditional feeding and market timing. They also will analyze costs and returns to determine the profitability of different management strategies.

“Exposure to the feeding and harvesting sectors offers these future producers an important perspective for their future success,” says Brad Boner, a Glenrock producer who donated to the 2022 Lamb-a-Year program.

Proceeds from the sale of the lambs will sustain and expand programming for Wyoming students and producers. These educational and outreach programs include travel for UW’s collegiate wool judging team; undergraduate internships; graduate research on value-added components for wool and direct marketing for lamb; the annual Wyoming Wool Growers Association conference; the 7220 Wool Invitational; sponsorship of the Wyoming State Fair wool show; and the inaugural Sheepherder’s Come-Bye.

A second one-credit course, designed to complement fall programming, will be offered in spring 2023. Co-instructed by Stewart and Cody Gifford, an assistant professor of meat science, the class will address topics such as lamb meat evaluation, marketing and merchandising.

For those interested in learning more about the Lamb-a-Year program or donating next year, email Lindsay Conley-Stewart, project coordinator for the Wyoming Wool Initiative, at woolinitiative@uwyo.edu.

About University of Wyoming Extension

Since 1914, UW Extension has provided lifelong learning opportunities to Wyoming citizens across the state. With roots in agricultural education, UW Extension supports rural communities facing contemporary challenges and changes. UW Extension brings the university’s resources to each of the state’s 23 counties and the Wind River Indian Reservation. To learn more about UW Extension, call (307) 766-5124 or visit www.uwyo.edu/uwe.

 

 

Contact Us

Institutional Communications
Bureau of Mines Building, Room 137
Laramie, WY 82071
Phone: (307) 766-2929
Email: cbaldwin@uwyo.edu


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