Everyday Ag

Sheep

Everyday Ag – Audio Tour

Sheep

Everyday Ag – Audio Tour

Welcome to the sheep barn!

Sheep have been an integral part of agriculture for thousands of years. They provide us with many valuable products, such as wool, meat, and milk. Wool from sheep is used to make clothing, blankets, and other textiles. Sheep meat, known as lamb or mutton, is a delicious and nutritious lean protein source. Sheep are also bred for their milk, which is used to make various dairy products. Additionally, sheep help maintain the health of pastures by grazing on grass and controlling weeds.

Here in the sheep barn, you will see a multitude of activities happening. As you walk through the rows of sheep you will see many exhibitors feeding their livestock, cleaning pens and isles, or even washing and shearing their stock. These are all aspects of what we call herdsmanship. Herdsmanship is providing quality, responsible care for livestock and being respectful of all other competitors and animals.

There are a variety of different shows that exhibitors can enter their animals in. These include: market, breeding, showmanship, and open class. Each of these classes has different qualifications and is each judged differently. 

In market lamb classes sheep that are younger than one year are fed out for meat production. These lambs are judged based on their muscle mass, fat cover, and bone structure.  While in the breeding and open show the animals are judged on their ability to produce a high-quality flock. All three types of shows are important to keep the industry thriving.