Value Added Agriculture Development Center

Attend South Dakota Specialty Producers Association annual meeting to provide input on what's important to growers!

SDSPA’s Annual Membership meeting & board elections will be held in conjunction with the UMURAI Conference. Join us for the meeting on Thurs., Feb. 8, 2024 from 1-2 p.m. CT.

Consider board service! Any member in good standing may nominate themselves or another SDSPA member in good standing. Contact us if interested!

Are you interested in started a sheep enterprise? SDSGA and SDSU Extension commonly get questions on how to start in sheep? Sheep are typically a very profitable livestock species.

Good questions to ask yourself...
Do I like sheep?
Will sheep fit into my current operation?
What size of sheep operation do I want?
Do I have adequate facilities to handle the number I want?
Will I have an adequate feed supply?
Do I want to lamb in the spring or fall?
What breeds should I select to achieve my goals?
When and where can I market my lambs?
Could I have a predator problem?

There are many places to find good, trustworthy, science-based information. Extension is the best place to start. Contact your county agent, area specialist or state specialist. Find a mentor. A fellow producer that has an operation you want to emulate can also provide a blueprint for what you to do. They can save you from making lots of mistakes that cost time and money. Ask questions before you dive in the deep end!

Excellent references or tools to help you explore sheep are below...

https://extension.okstate.edu/fact-sheets/starting-a-sheep-enterprise.html

https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/agriculture-natural-resources-and-industry/agribusiness-farmers-and-ranchers/livestock/cattle-poultry-and-other-livestock/sheep-and-goats/getting-started-in-sheep

http://www.sheep101.info/201/

Than you to Kitzan Family Farm, LLC from the Nisland area for their demonstration on turning lamb into chislic.

And we're off.... Value Added Ag Center Day has begun! Stood and see us at the Day Sponsor tent.