Cyclone Lambing School Trains Sheep Producers for Lambing Season

By Andi Anderson

Sheep producers preparing for the upcoming lambing season have an opportunity to build skills and confidence through the Cyclone Lambing School.

This educational program focuses on practical training to help farmers manage lambing successfully and respond effectively to common challenges.

The Cyclone Lambing School will take place on Friday, April 17, at the Iowa State University Sheep Teaching Farm in Ames. The program is designed to provide hands-on instruction covering ewe and lamb care before, during, and immediately after lambing.

Instead of relying only on classroom lectures, the school places strong emphasis on applied learning tied to real farm situations.

One of the key learning activities includes guided practice using a lambing dystocia model. This tool allows participants to study fetal positioning, recognize common lambing difficulties, and practice proper intervention techniques in a safe and controlled environment.

This practical experience helps producers better understand what to expect during lambing and how to act calmly when problems arise.

Participants in the program will strengthen their ability to prepare ewes for lambing, identify normal and abnormal labor, and make informed decisions during difficult births.

The training also focuses on improving newborn lamb care and survival, as well as the correct and safe use of lambing equipment.

The Cyclone Lambing School is suitable for beginning sheep producers, farm families involved in lambing, youth learning animal care, and experienced producers who want to refresh their skills before the season begins.

The goal of the program is to ensure participants feel prepared and confident when managing lambing on their farms.

Space for the event is limited to maintain an effective learning environment and ensure participants receive proper attention during hands-on training. Advance registration is required, and interested producers are encouraged to register early.

By combining expert instruction with real world practice, the Cyclone Lambing School supports better animal welfare, higher lamb survival rates, and stronger decision making for sheep producers during the critical lambing season.

Photo Credit: istock-globalp