Copenhaver Sheep Center
Production Sale
Each year, the Copenhaver Sheep Center hosts a production sale in early September. Learn more about the Annual Copenhaver Production Sale below.
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General ItemVirginia Tech Sheep Center Production Sale
Held in early September, the VT Sheep Center Production Sale features animals from the registered Suffolk and Dorset flocks at the Copenhaver Sheep Center. These flocks have been selected for sheep that excel in the traits that have made the breeds popular, while working in forage-based production systems.
The Copenhaver Sheep Center plays a vital role in the teaching, research, and outreach missions of the School of Animal Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.
The Virginia Tech lambing season spans from September through April are conducive to the large number of classes and students that the center serves. Students in both the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences as well as Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine are extensive users of the facilities and sheep, gaining valuable hands-on livestock experience as well as production management training through a wide range of courses. Additionally, the center hosts several Extension workshops, youth events, and industry activities annually.
Current research efforts at the center are focused on the genetics of out-of-season breeding, evaluation of hair sheep, parasite resistance, and ultrasonic evaluation of body composition. Learn more...
Flocks
The Copenhaver Sheep Center is home to three flocks of sheep - registerd Suffolks and Dorsets, and a flock of hair sheep. These breeds and their crosses are representative of the sheep industry in the Commonwealth, and compliment each other for addressing the teaching, research, and extension missions of the Center.
- Virginia Tech Dorset Flock
- Virginia Tech Hair Sheep Flock (St. Croix)
- Virginia Tech Suffolk Flock
Copenhaver Sheep Center
School of Animal Sciences
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg , VA 24061
Sheep barn: (540) 231-6988
Campus: (540) 231-9159
Directions
- I-81 to Exit 118 B
- Rt. 460 W bypass
- From Rt. 460 bypass take Prices Fork Exit
- Turn left on Plantation Road
Contact
Related Article
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General ItemMeet Copenhaver Sheep Center
VCE article authored by Laura Siegle, former Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension. Reprinted with permission.