Sheep

 

Sheep Information can be found here to help you with participation in the 4-H/FFA Sheep Project.  Events will be posted in the workshops section as well as details for the annual lamb identification and weigh in information for the Green County Fair.  If you have any questions regarding the sheep project, contact the Extensoin Green County office at 608-328-9440.

YQCA jpgYouth for the Quality Care of Animals (YQCA) Certification

 

Wisconsin has replaced the MAQA program with the YQCA program, a youth education certification program on the issues of animal welfare, food safety and character education.

This certification is required of:

  • Green County Fair Animal Exhibitors (Dairy, Beef, Swine, Sheep, Goats, Poultry & Rabbits) – submit the certification number as part of the Green County Fair entry process.
  • WI State Fair Junior Animal Exhibitors (Dairy, Beef, Swine, Sheep, Goats, Poultry & Rabbits) – please see the Wisconsin State Fair website for rules on this.

For more information on YQCA, please visit our YQCA page.

Green County Market Lamb Identification 

All Market Lambs will be given official USDA 840 tags and again for 2022 will also require scrapie tags for the spring identification process. Families will need to pick up a Lamb ID Kit between April 18th-May 6th at the Extension Green County Office. You will need to know how many lambs you will be tagging when you pick up your kit. Kits will include, USDA 840 tags, a tagger (if needed and must be returned), rules for exhibiting lambs, YQCA flyer, Lamb ID Forms, Picture tagging guide, and auction entry forms. After receiving your packet, tag all market and carcass lambs and take a head shot photo clearly showing the USDA 840 tag in the lamb’s ear, as well as the scrapie tag in the ear. (Note-for flock Scrapie tags, call 1-866-873-2824 to order the scrapie tags) Mount the lamb photo on the Lamb Id Form, fill in the appropriate information and return the form to the Extension Green County office by 4;30 pm on May 6th.  (Note- photos need to be as clear as possible)
Print the Green County Market LAMB Exhibitors Rules 2022 page for a complete list of requirements!!!
To summarize a couple changes:
  • Exhibitors will be required to self-identify ALL fair MARKET LAMBS. Each exhibitor may identify a maximum of 5 MARKET LAMBS. Two MARKET LAMBS can be identified on each LAMB ID 2022 FORM – Fillable PDF.
  • Picture Identification:  All MARKET LAMBS being ID’d for the fair need to have a scrapie tag AND a USDA RFID tag. If you already have scrapie tags for your farm, you can use those. If you don’t have scrapie tags, they can be purchased by calling 1-866-873-2824.  RFID tags are free and must be picked up from the Extension Green County Office.  You must provide a count of the Market Lambs you are identifying when picking up the tags. After you receive the tags, you must complete your LAMB ID form with the Scrapie Tag Number, the RFID tag number, and a photo of the LAMB being identified. (Keep track of the ear tag  information as you will need it for your online fair entry) One ID picture needs to be taken; a front view that clearly displays the scrapie tag and the RFID tag. Use the included form to mount the picture on and fill in the information pertinent to that lamb, including if it is a home born lamb on your farm.
  • Return the Picture ID Form to Extension Green County by May 6th!
    Picture ID Forms must be returned to Extension Green County office before 4:30 PM on May 6th to exhibit market lambs at the 2022 Green County Fair. Picture ID forms can list family youth, including all siblings, within the immediate family.  Lamb Picture ID Forms must be postmarked/returned to Extension Green County by May 6th, and can be mailed, emailed, or dropped off at the Extension Green County Drop Box in our front lobby. 
  • YQCA Certification MUST BE DONE ONLINE this year and the certificate number information will be required to do your online fair entry!
  • Fair Entries & Auction Entry Forms: Fair Entries need to be completed online by May 31st and Auction Entry Forms are due to the Extension Green County Office by 4:30pm May 31st. No Exceptions on either of these!
  • Market Lambs must weigh a minimum of 110 pounds to be eligible to sell in the Auction and will be paid up to a maximum of 150 pounds, provided all auction requirements have been met.

Only lambs that are identified will be eligible for exhibition in the market lamb classes and to sell at the Green County Fair Meat Animal Auction.

All carcass lambs are required to be identified for the carcass competition also. Carcass lambs will no longer be harvested and will be allowed to exhibit in both the carcass class and the lamb market classes. Overall carcass lamb placing will be based on 60% carcass and 40% rate of gain.

Market lambs will be tagged with official USDA tags AND also need to have scrapie tags at the fair.  All breeding sheep will still be required to have a USDA Scrapie tag before the animals are allowed onto the fairgrounds this summer also.  The only exception to this is for breeding animals that have breed registration papers and a breed tattoo.  If sheep exhibitors plan to exhibit breeding stock they can order their own free scrapie tags by calling 1-866-873-2824.  These tags should be ordered early since it usually takes several weeks before they are received from the United States Department of Agriculture.

Only Green County Fair market lambs need to be pre-identified by May 6th.  Market lambs for the Wisconsin State Fair will not be identified this way. Please consult the Wisconsin State Fair requirements for lambs to be showed there.

Auction record books and other show information will also be distributed to exhibitors online, in their Lamb Identification Kits, or at the Extension Green County office.  Contact the Extension Green County office, at 608-328-9440 for more information.

Sheep Resources

American Sheep Industry                                                                     Equity Livestock Sales Coop
US Sheep Breeders Online Directory                                                Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill
Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative                                             Sheep! Magazine
List of Sheep Breeds-Wikipedia

Green County Sheep Producers

This organization supports and sponsors youth in various sheep areas through trophy and award sponsorships.  Contact Evelyn Crooks at 608-897-2041 for more information