is a non-profit, educational group promoting Sheep and Wool Products in New Jersey
The 24th annual Sheep & Fiber Festival was held on Saturday and Sunday at the Hunterdon County Fairgrounds in Ringoes.
The festival was presented by the Garden State Sheep Breeders, a non-profit, educational group promoting sheep and wool products in New Jersey.
This year they added two breeds: the Scottish blackface and Valais blacknose, a new breed to the United States, on display courtesy of Stone Manor Farm.
Source and to see the Photo Gallery:
Sheep producers who are considering the use Artificial Insemination to improve their flock genetics might want to consider attending the 2017 Symposium of the Dairy Sheep Association of North America, Nov. 30-Dec. 2 in Orford, Quebec, Canada.
The first day of this year’s symposium will be devoted entirely to AI. Speakers from Canada, Europe and the United States will present on AI techniques used in France, Iceland and Canada, both cervical and laparoscopic, with both frozen and fresh semen. Presenters will also discuss protocols that will improve conception rates and litter size in ewes who have been artificially inseminated.
Furthermore, a large number of dairy sheep producers who have begun using AI to incorporate European genetics into their flocks will be in attendance. Developments in AI techniques, as well as improved availability of internationally-sourced semen, are offering American sheep producers some real opportunities to broaden and improve their breed’s gene pool.
The symposium will be at the Estrimont Suites & Spa in Orford, in southern Quebec just north of Vermont. Attendees can register for just one day (i.e., for the day of AI presentations on Nov. 30th), or for the full symposium – which includes two days of presentations, a wine-and-cheese reception featuring Canadian sheep-milk cheeses, tours of two Quebecois sheep dairies and an optional cheese-making workshop.
For more details on the symposium schedule, go to www.dsana.org.
WIN THE OXFORD SHEEP FOUNDATION FLOCK
Since 2007, prominent Oxford Breeders have donated lambs to establish a Foundation Flock. The Foundation Flock is given annually to establish one new Oxford Flock. The flock consists of quality Registered Oxford ewes and one Registered Oxford ram.
To win the award flock, you must write an essay to the Oxford Foundation Flock Award Committee. Include information about yourself, illustrate your goals and intentions with the animals should you win the award. Please type your essay and e-mail it to [email protected] by May 18. Kindly include your mailing address and phone number.
The only request we ask of the Winner is to donate one ewe lamb within the first three years to a Foundation Flock. The Winner will be invited to attend the National Oxford Sale at Springfield, Illinois to receive their award. If you cannot attend, other arrangements to receive the flock will be made. Good Luck!
