The symposium will have a similar spin to past years, a one-day event. For a schedule see the Symposium Flyer. The registration fees have changed to provide the opportunity to make this event a “family affair”.  Follow this link for a registration form. It will definitely be a benefit to be a member of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association. As you will note on the registration form, we will only be charging for families and individuals, we just need to know how many are attending for meal purposes. A family registration will include participation in all of the symposium programming. This program effort will include the symposium program, the lamb meal during the lunch hour for all attendee’s, adults and youth alike. Also included is your attendance at the OSIA Annual Meeting. We hope that you and your family will come and participate in the entire day’s activities.

Cost of the mini-course is $5 for OHSIA members and $10 for non-members.  Registration is required no later than Monday November 16th.  For registration and directions please contact Kathy Bielek at 330.264.5281/bielek@bright.net or Suzie Gortner at 419.869.7353/skg2ewe@verizon.net.

The Grazing Lands Conservation Initiative (GLCI) will be holding their annual conference on December 13-16 in Reno, Nevada.  For more information about the conference, including agenda and registration information, visit http://www.glci.org.

The 2009 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium is once again going to hit the road!  After four years on the road and back into Columbus for the 2008 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium, the 2009 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium will once again hit the road for this annual shepherd’s event!  This year’s Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium will be held on December 12, 2009 at the Ohio Department of Agriculture Bromfield Building, 8995 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH  43068. The primary educational portion of the symposium will be conducted on Saturday December 12, 2008.  The primary focus of the 2009 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium will be health management programs that will help our sheep producers stay profitable in the future.  The 2009 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium will be in conjunction with the Small Ruminant Health Symposium and will cover information on the small ruminant species, sheep and goats.

The main speakers of the day will include Dr. Richard Erhardt, Small Ruminant Specialist, Michigan State University.  Dr. Eharhardt will be discussing several health preventative programs as they relate the health maintenance of the small ruminant animal.  We will be offering other topic areas and speakers as well that should be of interest to our sheep and goat producers as well.  Speakers such as Dr. Dale Duerr, DVM from Tuscarawas County, will discuss the “Development of a Flock and Herd Health Plan”, Dr. Bill Shulaw and Dr. Hayes, of ODA will taking a look at ewe and lamb mortality, and we are going to offer tours of the ODA facility and programs such as an update on the USDA Scrapie program..

“These are topics that make a symposium unique, it may be the only time you have a chance to see the programs and the tours of the facilities that we have planned,” states Roger A. High, Executive Director of The Ohio Sheep Improvement Association.

The Ohio Sheep Improvement Association Annual Meeting will also be held.It will be the first item on the agenda prior to the program beginning.  During the OSIA Annual meeting, the election of a new OSIA officer team will be held.

OSIA members will be receiving registration packets in early November.  Please pass the information along to other sheep producers in your area, as we would love to have another attendance breaking symposium.  We will also have the tradeshow, so if you need to purchase anything, it should be available.  And of course, the silent auction will be held to raise money for the Ralph Grimshaw Memorial Scholarship Fund.   If you would like more information about the Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium, please contact Roger A. High at (614) 246-8299 or by email at rhigh@ofbf.org.

OARDC Eastern Research Station in Caldwell, OH hosted the 2009 Ohio Sheep Day

The weather was absolutely gorgeous, with a glint of rain in the air all day, and finally it rained near the end of the program, which was very much appreciated in the drought stricken area of southeastern Ohio.  The air was filled with positive thoughts of an exciting Ohio sheep industry and the OSIA/OSWP/OSU coordinated Ohio Sheep Day was another overwhelming success.   Sheep producers from all over Ohio and other states flowed in to learn about several topics related to the sheep industry. The food served was generous and very well prepared.  There was just nothing to complain about during the day of Saturday, July 11, 2009 at the OARDC Eastern Research Station (EARS), in Caldwell, Ohio.

As the day progressed, nearly 150 sheep producers made their way to the 2010 Ohio Sheep Day event, several from outside of Ohio to learn about improved practices and research for the sheep industry.  Of course, many topics of interest to sheep producers were a valuable part of the day.  Many of the speakers entertained to crowds throughout the day as they spoke of topics from production of the sheep flock, lamb management to lamb cutting and cooking demonstrations.   There was something for everyone at the 2009 Ohio Sheep Day Program.  Welcoming the sheep producers to the OARDC-EARS Unit were Roger A. High, Executive Director of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and OSU State Sheep Extension Program Specialist, OSIA President, Susan Shultz, Dr. Steve Slack, Director, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Centers and Dr. Jim Kinder, Chair, Animal Sciences, The Ohio State University.  Key speakers of the day included Wayne Shriver, Manager of the OARDC Eastern Research Station Unit and Clif Little, Guernsey County Extension Educator, who coordinates much of the sheep research done at OARDC-EARS.  Pasture management tours were once again popular as sheep producers were able to see the latest in annual and perennial forages; Bob Hendershot, USDA Grazing Specialist, and Rory Lewandowski, Athens Co. Extension Educator were the speakers for this part of the program.  One popular part of the program was Managing Coyotes and Black Vultures in Ohio by Chris Bartholomew, USDA Wildlife Services, David Schott, Monroe County SWCD Wildlife and Forestry Specialist and Mike Dyer, a private trapper, this discussion provided the attendees the opportunity to learn how to manage these major predators on their own sheep farms. Another popular topic area was Dr. Paul Kuber, OSU Animal Sciences, and Nick Forrest, American Lamb Board who provided the audience with a lamb cutting and lamb preparation demonstration; those in attendance stated that it was a “yummy” topic area. Daryl Clark, Muskingum County Sheep Producer discussed the type of sheep that works at OARDC-EARS using several sheep examples on the research farm.  The OARDC-EARS sheep handling facility was discussed by Chris Clark, EARS Animal Manager, and Wayne Shriver, Clif Little, and Kevin Stottsbury, of OARDC-EARS provided tours of the research grazing paddocks utilized at the station.  Another popular topic was a discussion by Katherine Harrison, of Blystone Farms, who discussed Marketing to the Ethnic Population.   Dr. Bill Shulaw, OSU Extension Veterinarian for Sheep and Beef discussed the parasite issue with sheep producers including managing the flock with FAMACHA scoring.   Of course, food is always an important part of any Ohio Sheep Day event, and OSIA member, Leslie Jordan and her family managed to serve a wonderful lamb meal.  The roast lamb sandwiches, prepared by Kris Doyle and served by OSIA serving crew of Lisa Rodenfels, Fannie Brill, and others were a popular hit for the lunch time meal.  Bottled water donated by David Betts, a Licking County Sheep Producer and President of the Amanda Hills Premium Bottled Water Company, was a much needed addition to Ohio Sheep Day as the weather was a bit warm.

Looking forward to 2010: Breeding Sheep for a More Profitable Flock will be the focus of a comprehensive seminar on defining and selecting traits that can increase profits in sheep production. What are the latest innovations in sheep genetics? How do we use modern selection criteria to increase profits? The seminar will include selection of traits, advantages of crossbreeding systems and evaluation of sheep breeds and their contribution to the commercial industry. Genetics for production systems ranging from grain based to total grass and marketing goals from selling roaster lambs to 140# finished lambs will be included in the discussions. Dr. Dave Notter (VPI), Dr. Dave Thomas (Univ. of Wis.) and Dr. Kreg Leymaster(USDA Marc) have been asked to be the keynote speakers. Breakout sessions will include live animal evaluations and a panel discussion with Dr. Charles Parker as the moderator.

This joint regional conference is sponsored by the ASI genetics stakeholders committee, the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association, the Ohio Sheep and Wool Board and the Ohio State University. It will be held July 10 and 11, 2010 at Riverwood Farms, Powell, Ohio. More detailed information will be available at the Buckeye Shephards Symposium in December.

The planning committee for this seminar includes Bill Shultz, Rory Lewandowski, John Anderson, Dr. Henry Zerby, Eric Bruns, Susan Shultz and Roger High.

An Athens area grazing council meeting/pasture walk is scheduled for Thursday, July 23 beginning at 6:30 pm. The meeting will be hosted by Curt Cline at a Meigs County property he plans to develop into a grazing system. The land currently has no fence or water and has been used for hay production. Curt is working with the Meigs County NRCS and SWCD office on an EQIP contract to help him develop the grazing system.

This is a good opportunity to learn about the planning process of developing a grazing system, including fence and water options. Other topics that will be covered at the meeting include: Making Management Decisions Based on Goals, Soil Fertility, Preparing Pastures for Winter Stockpiling, Use of Hay, Pasture Management and Internal Parasite Control in Small Ruminants.

Resource people include: Cathy Bobo, Athens SWCD, Jason Crislip and Steve Jenkins from the Meigs County NRCS/SWCD office, Daryl Clark, retired OSU Noble County Extension Educator and Rory Lewandowski, OSU Extension Athens County. Dr. Bill Shulaw, OSU Extension Veterinarian will conduct the session on pasture management and parasite control.

Curt is planning to provide grilled lamb samples and some light refreshments for the meeting. In order to help him plan the amount needed, please RSVP by contacting the Athens County Extension office at (740) 593-8555 by Monday July 20 if you plan to attend. Participants may want to consider bringing a lawn chair to sit in during the sampling following the meeting.

Directions to the farm: (Doug Lowther property)
From Albany OH ….Take RT 32 west to St RT 143. Turn left on St RT 143, go approximately. 4-5 miles to Salem-School Lot Rd. Salem School Lot Rd. is just past the Columbia Township Fire Dept. Turn right on Salem-School Lot Rd. and go approximately 2 miles. Farm is on the left. Watch for “Grazing” signs.

We invite you to join us for the Sheep Grazing tour on July 10, 2009 in Noble County. For the past two years, Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council have sponsored a pre-Sheep Day tour with Small Farm Institute, OSU Extension, OSU Sheep and Forage Teams, NRCS and Ohio Sheep Improvement Association. The cost for the day tour will be $30.00 for OFGC members and $35.00 for non members. It includes the bus, lunch and other refreshments. Reservations are needed by July 2, 2009. Send your check and reservations to Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council, P.O. Box 488, Coshocton, OH 43812. You can download a registration form off www.smallfarminstitute.org website. If you have questions, please call 740.545.6349 or email leah@smallfarminstitute.org.

The tour starts at Caldwell Elementary school by boarding the bus at 9:00 a.m. The elementary school’s address is 44350 Fairground Rd., Caldwell, Ohio. Parking will be available at the school. The tour is all day. The hosts for our tour are Chuck and Lisa Rodenfels, Shawn and Kim Ray, and Wayne Shriver Family. The following is a description of each farm:

Somerhill Farm- This farm is owned and operated by Chuck and Lisa Rodenfels. The Rodenfels have been shepherds for more than 20 years. One of the interesting sights on this tour will be a rare breed of sheep, the Bluefaced Leicester. The Rodenfels were one of the first people in the US to raise this breed of sheep. While still quite rare here, the BFL is the maternal sire of the “mule”, the backbone of the British commercial sheep industry. Over the years, the Rodenfels have used semen from several imported sires, and have had laparoscopic artificial insemination performed at their farm. Besides the BFLs, there is also a flock of Katahdins, a breed of hairsheep. These sheep are pasture lambed in May. Both breeds of sheep are rotationally grazed on a year round basis using electric netting. The Rodenfels direct market their wool products by a website, internet sales, as well at local fiber events. They have also sold lamb meat at a farm market

The Ray Family Farm – Shawn and Kim, along with their children Etta, William, and Hannah; and his parents Gene and Carole, raise sheep and goats on two farms in Noble County totaling 179 acres. The sheep flock consists of ~100 Dorset cross commercial ewes and their lambs. The goat herd includes ~30 Boer/Spanish cross commercial does and their kids. The goats are barn lambed in March and then rotationally grazed until weaning and direct sale in late fall, timed for ethnic holiday. The sheep are pasture lambed April 20th through ~May 20th; jugged, then rotationally grazed and never seeing feed after the jug. Lambs are usually weaned mid to late July and continue to be rotationally grazed. Ideally like to begin grazing turnips in late September and begin marketing lambs directly off of turnips from late October through mid December. (Drought last two falls have changed that approach). The Ray’s have participated in some USDA programs and have done several practices including subdivision fencing, spring development, controlled stream crossings, stream exclusion fencing, woodland exclusion fencing, extensive waterline, automatic waterers and/or frost-free hydrants, heavy use feeding pads and farm lane construction.

Shriver Farms – The farm is diversified livestock and forage operation. The farm combines commercial cattle enterprises and commercial sheep on a large scale. The farming operations are spread over several areas with the commercial ewe operation near the home farm in Buffalo and the majority of cattle located near Summerfield. The primary forage utilized for grazing is fescue. Reclaimed strip-mine ground represents the all of the pasture utilized at the Summerfield operation. Various sections of the farms have utilized EQIP funds to develop water systems, fencing and stream crossings.

April 14, 16, 21, and 25-Athens County Grazing School. For more information and to register, go to http://athens.osu.edu

May 23-24-Great Lakes Fiber Show and Sheep Show and Sale, Wooster. For more information, visit their website at http://www.greatlakesfibershow.com

May 28-Champaign County Pasture Walk. For more information log onto http://champaign.osu.edu

June 20-Scanning lambs for loin eye and back fat measurements. To sign your lambs up, please contact Bill and Susan Schultz at bunkerhillfarm@gmail.com

July 11-Ohio Sheep Day. For more information visit the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association’s web site at http://ohiosheep.org

Plans are underway for the third Ohio Forage and Grasslands Sheep Farm Bus Tour to be held on Friday, July 10, 2009 in the Noble County area. This is of course the day before the Ohio Sheep Day event. The Ohio Forage and Grasslands Council, in cooperation with the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association is pleased to be able to bring this educational event to our sheep producers. As we continue the planning process, more information will be made available. Please visit our website at http://www.ohiosheep.org for more information.