OSU Sheep Team

Roger High, Ohio Sheep Extension Program Specialist and Rory Lewandowski, Athens County Extension Educator

What: Ohio Sheep Day
When: Saturday, July 11, 2009
Where: Eastern Agricultural Research Station (EARS)
16870 TR 126
Caldwell, OH 43724

The 2009 Ohio Sheep Day is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, 2009. It will be held on the Eastern Agricultural Research Station, located just outside of Caldwell, Ohio in Noble County. The Eastern Agricultural Research Station (EARS) formally named the Eastern Ohio Research and Development Center (EORDC) is the location of several Ohio Sheep Day programs held in the 1980’s. It was also the location of the Ohio Tested Ram Sale that was held for several years.

The Eastern Agricultural Research Station (EARS) was created to increase the agricultural income from the hills of eastern Ohio. To do so, scientists are making use of the region’s vast natural resources. Much of the land in this area not covered with timber but is best suited for production of forage grasses and legumes. Production of quality forages at low costs is a key factor for profitability in the area’s livestock enterprises.

Currently, the beef and sheep industries are top priorities at the Eastern Research Station. Scientists are studying forage management schemes that will extend the grazing season reducing the need for mechanically harvested forages. One group of 40 beef cows on an extended grazing rotation is under evaluation for nutrition and growth rates. Alternative forages such as grazing corn have also been analyzed.

Visitors to EARS during Ohio Sheep Day can expect to hear about the importance of economic analysis as a base to decision making.

The 2009 Ohio Sheep Day at the EARS operation will focus on forage demonstrations, grazing management and stored forage use. A partial list of what visitors will see includes:
• EARS Land and Facility Tour and Management Discussion
• Managing Coyotes and Black Vultures in Ohio
• Lamb Carcass Cuts and Lamb Cooking Demonstrations
• Utilization of Annuals and Perennials in a Pasture Management System
• Ruminant Nutritional Programs utilizing Dried Distillers Grains
• Marketing to the Ethnic Population
• Genetics of the EARS Sheep Operation
• Health Programs

There will also be vendors/exhibitors dealing with all aspects of sheep production.

Ohio Sheep Day will offer visitors the opportunity to visit a research farming operation that is dedicated to sheep and beef cattle production in a profitable way. Sheep owners and anyone interested in sheep management is cordially invited to Ohio Sheep Day at the EARS farm in the rolling hills of Noble County.

Don’t forget to mark your calendars for July 10 as well as once again the Ohio Forage and Grassland Council will be sponsoring a pre Ohio Sheep Day tour of some area farms. More details will follow.
Ohio Sheep Day is sponsored by the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, Ohio Sheep and Wool Program, OSU Sheep Team, Ohio State University Extension and the Ohio State University Animal Sciences Department.
We look forward to seeing many sheep producers at the Ohio Sheep Day; it will be a day of
learning and gathering with other sheep friends. If you have any questions regarding Ohio Sheep
Day activities, please contact Roger A. High at (614)292-0589 or by email at high.1@osu,edu.
More Ohio Sheep Day information can be found on the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association
website at www.ohiosheep.org. A lamb luncheon is included as part of registration for the OhioSheep Day event.

Directions to Ohio Sheep Day:
From the west take U.S. 70 East to the Cambridge area and then U.S. 77 South to the Belle Valley Exit. 2 miles east of Belle Valley Exit off I-77 on SR 215 (Noble County, Ohio)
From the east take U.S. 70 West to the Cambridge area and then U.S. 77 South to the Belle Valley Exit. 2 miles east of Belle Valley Exit off I-77 on SR 215 (Noble County, Ohio)