BROOKINGS, S.D. — The South Dakota State University sheep unit hosted its open house on March 16. The event gave visitors the opportunity to learn more about the research, education and extension happening at the unit.
This year, South Dakota ranked sixth nationally for sheep and wool production. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture National Agriculture Statistics Service, South Dakota had 250,000 sheep as of January 2023, which had increased by 15,000 compared to 2022.
“As far as the sheep industry, we are one of those states that needs to have a pretty strong representation of industry applicable research,” said Blake Johnson, sheep unit manager at SDSU.
The unit houses around 200 ewes, with half the flock being Polypay and half being Hampshire. SDSU has the oldest registered Hampshire flock in the country.
Right now, there are two main research studies being conducted at the unit.
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“One is a colostrum study. There’s a grad student that is basically looking at microbiome impacts of different colostrum supplements. They are looking at sheep colostrum, cattle colostrum and then an article colostrum replacement that is commercially available,” Johnson said. “There is also an undergraduate research project currently happening. That one is looking at vitamin E in lambs.”
Along with research, the facility also serves as a place for students to learn, through working on the farm and on-farm lab opportunities.
“I think last semester alone I had I want to say five different lab groups stop out here, as well as a couple of undergraduate clubs,” Johnson said. “On top of that, there are currently six undergraduate students who I employ here who help with the day-to-day care as well as some of our larger management practices.”
Wesley Siira is a sophomore animal science student at SDSU. He has been working at the campus sheep unit for over a year.
“It’s a really good learning opportunity because you can learn so much in the classroom, but ultimately, I learn better hands on then I do in the classroom,” Siira said.
This work experience is a great jump start for Siira as he pursues a future career in the animal science industry.
“I am hoping to get a job in animal science, not really sure where exactly yet, so it’s just kind of preparing me, giving me some experience,” Siira said. “I am hoping to do a research project next fall, so that will give me a little bit of experience in that field and maybe prepare me for that side of the industry.”
Extension programming takes place throughout the year at the farm.
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“Sheering school is one of them, that happens in the fall. That’s an opportunity for people to come in and we have professional instructors basically demonstrating and instructing on how to sheer sheep,” Johnson said.
The university works with the National Sheep Improvement Program to collect data on their flock. They are hoping to share more information about the data with the public.
“We are in the works of creating what will be data collection field days. A lot of what we do here at the unit is as far as selection within the flock has to do with genomic values,” Johnson said. “So, we are looking to have a field day that is related to that data collection.”
By hosting this open house, they were able to showcase all the elements the facility has to offer.
“Really what I am trying to do is foster relationships within the industry and with people who are from outside of the industry and build trust in what’s going on here and show that what we are doing is of value,” Johnson said.
The Trust Project
