Tennessee Sheep Producers Annual Meeting and Sheep Production Conference is January 7 & 8

Dec 20, 2021


The Tennessee Sheep Producers Association (TSPA) will hold its Annual Meeting and Sheep Production Conference Friday, January 7 and Saturday, January 8, 2022 at the James E. Ward Ag Center, Q-Barn in Lebanon.
The meeting will kick off at 6 p.m. Friday night with a meet and greet session with lamb hors d’oeuvres, hosted by TSPA President Robert Walker. The program will follow at 7 p.m. with discussion of marketing strategies for sheep and sheep products, as well as social media marketing. Updates will also be provided on the University of Tennessee Master Small Ruminant Program and the Wool Pool.
The Saturday session will take place the following morning, and agenda will be as follows:
 
8 a.m.         Welcome – Robert Walker, TSPA President
8:05 What Works on Your Farm – Novel Hacks to Make Life Easier (Slide Show)
8:30  Update- TAEP updates (Ryan Betzelberger, TN Dept. of Ag)
8:45     Determining Sheep Age Using Dentition (Mouthing Sheep) (Dr. Dennis Fennewald) – Three to five sheep will be available during break for participants to “mouth”
9       Break (Trade Show)
9:30  Update – Scrapie and Other Diseases (State Veterinarian or representative)
9:45  Annual Meeting of TSPA
  • ASI representative report – Lisa Weeks
  • Make It With Wool Contest report – Dee Wolters
  • Election
  • Recognition of Sponsors/Trade Show
10:30 am:        Break
10:45 am:        Using NSIP for Flock Improvement (Lisa Weeks)
11:30 am:  Performance of Hair and Wool Crossbreds (Andrew Weaver)
12:15 noon:        Lamb Lunch and Awards Program
 
Those participating are encouraged to bring items for the silent auction and door prizes. Proceeds from the auction will benefit the Junior Sheep Producers.
Participants should make reservations in advance by contacting Mark Powell via email at shepherdboy1@yahoo.com or via phone at 615-519-7796 to share the number in your party.

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