Virginia Tech Sheep Extension
Virginia’s sheep population of over 89,000 exists in all regions of the state. The state’s abundant forage resources, moderate climate, and close proximity to markets make Virginia ideally suited for a vibrant, diverse sheep industry. Multiple management and production systems are employed in the state, with the majority of lambs born in the spring and raised in a forage-based environment. Commercial, spring-lambing flocks comprise the majority of the industry which is supported by a strong seedstock industry. Growing segments include sheep raised for youth 4-H projects as well as hair sheep.
Upcoming Events
2025 Virtual Shepherd's Symposium
Tuesday & Wednesday, February 25-26, 2025
7:00 - 9:00 PM (EST)
- How Genetics Shape Immunity from the First Sip
Kelsey Bentley, Ph.D., Small Ruminant Extension Specialist, Kansas State University - Flock Economics: Factors Impacting Your Bottom Line
Tom Stanley, Virginia Cooperative Extension - Management Tips That Make Cents
Scott Greiner, Ph.D., School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech - Solar Industry – What Sheep Producers Need to Know
John Ignosh, Extension Specialist, Virginia Cooperative
Extension
Andrew Weaver, Ph.D., Small Ruminant Extension Specialist, North Carolina State University - Parasite Management - Tools for Success
Nicole Valliere-Kopetzky, School of Animal Sciences, Virginia Tech - Flock Health Tips
Chris Fletcher, DVM, Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services - Update from ASI
- Virginia Sheep Industry Updates
Reports from Virginia Sheep Producers Association and Virginia Sheep Industry Board
Questions?
Contact Scott Greiner at 540-231-9159 or sgreiner@vt.edu
2025 Beginner Sheep Shearing School
Friday & Saturday, March 14-15, 2025
9:30 AM - 5:00 PM (EST)
Pulaski Livestock Market
5509 Banks Avenue
Dublin, VA 24084
Friday, 14 March 9:30 am to 5pm: machine set-up, blade selection, shearing belly and breech (back of hind legs and under the tail)
Saturday, 15 March 9:30am to 5pm: opportunity to practice full-pattern shearing with experienced shearers present to assist.
First day’s instruction should conclude around 2pm. For those who attend the first day and wish to try full pattern shearing, they are welcome to continue shearing from 2pm to 5pm. If you have attended a shearing school in the past and are already familiar with machine set-up and blade selection, you are welcome to attend the second day only.
Class size is limited so participants must pre-register.
A $25 non-refundable deposit is required to register.
Register and pay deposit online (vasheepproducers.com) by March 7 (payments will be returned if class is cancelled for some reason).
Participants are encouraged to bring their own machines and blades but there will be machines and blades for people to use.
Cost to attend: $50 per person each day in addition to the deposit, includes lunch. Payable the day you attend.
Make Checks payable to Virginia Sheep Producers Association.
We cannot accept card payments on site, cash or check only if paying day of the school. Participants 15-years old or younger must be accompanied by parent or guardian.
High quality shearing poster available for participants to purchase for additional $20.
Questions?
Contact Tom Stanley at 540-588-0241 voice/text or e-mail stanleyt@vt.edu
50th Annual Virginia Performance Tested Ram Lamb Sale and Replacement Ewe Lamb Sale
Saturday, August 23, 2025
Shenandoah Valley Agricultural Research and Extension Center, Raphine, VA
Field day will begin at 10:00 a.m., followed by lunch served by the Virginia Junior Sheep Breeders Association. The ram sale begins at 1:00 p.m. and features performance-tested rams from the Virginia Ram Test Program.
Questions?
Contact Scott Greiner at sgreiner@vt.edu.
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If you are a person with a disability and require any auxiliary aids, services or other accommodations for any Extension event, please discuss your accommodation needs with the Extension staff at your local Extension office at least 1 week prior to the event.
Sheep Programs
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Shepherd's SymposiumThis annual program provides education on current topics and research of interest to sheep producers. The one-day event includes a blend of lecture and demonstration sessions. The Symposium is typically held in early January, and location is rotated across the state.
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Sheep 101 Basics WorkshopThis educational program is designed for new and beginning shepherds to provide hands-on experience and training in basic sheep production techniques. Topic areas include nutrition, health, genetics, reproduction, marketing, and management. Instruction includes opportunity for participants to work with sheep to learn necessary skills and attain experience. The Workshop will be held as a two-day event in October, as well as, annually in conjunction with the Shepherd’s Symposium.
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Virginia Ram Test ProgramThe Virginia Ram Test has existed at the Shenandoah Valley AREC since 1975. Ram lambs, consigned by the state’s producers, are developed and managed in a central location to provide objective information on economically important traits such as growth and carcass performance. The program concludes with an annual sale of rams the fourth Saturday in August.
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Southwest Agricultural Research and Extension Center Ram TestThe Virginia Tech Southwest AREC Ram Test began in 2012 and consists primarily of Katahdin sheep breeders from across the United States. This program is unique and created with much discussion and interest across the industry. Through the forage-based ram performance test, designed specifically to quantify growth and parasite resistance in rams. The program concludes with an annual field day and sale of the top ~50% of rams the fourth Friday in September.