Spring sheep workshop will be March 20 at Dvorak farm
By Heather Thorstensen
hthorstensen@agrinews.com
Date Modified: 03/18/2010 10:39 AM
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WEBSTER, Minn. — John Dvorak has two goals as host of the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Spring Workshop.
First, he wants the event to help young people thinking about showing sheep or getting into the sheep business. It will be a good learning experience and a chance to meet others who can help them when they have questions, he said.
Second, he wants more adults to attend. The workshop has historically been geared toward youth, but Dvorak sees it as an opportunity to help all sheep producers learn about current issues.
"There's something for everybody," he said.
It will be held March 20 on his family's farm, 4325 Farwell Avenue, Webster, Minn., 55088. Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. The program starts at 9 a.m. and will run until around 2:30 p.m. The cost is $15 per person, which includes lunch. Attendees should dress appropriately to be on a farm.
A University of Minnesota veterinarian will speak about animal care, including internal parasites and vaccinations to control them.
"There's less and less veterinarians out there that deal with sheep and if (people) do have specific questions, they could come," Dvorak said.
Mellisa Wolfe, program assistant at the Minnesota Board of Animal Health, will give an update on the state and country's scrapie eradication program. Also on the schedule is a session on the Humane Society of the United States' interests in Minnesota's sheep industry.
Jeremy Geske, a past-president of the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers, will lead a session on showmanship, covering beginner to intermediate skills on how to present sheep. A round-table discussion will allow time for attendees to ask questions or share problems they are experiencing.
Last year, approximately 50 people attended.
Dvorak and his wife, Bernie, have been in the sheep business for 15 years. They have a flock of about 85 purebred Dorsets and Hampshires on 120 acres. The flock producers 80 to 150 lambs each year.
The event is supported by the Rice County 4-H Sheep Project Development Committee and the MLWP Junior Association.
For questions or directions, call the Dvoraks at (952) 652-2402.