By Andi Anderson
Sheep producers are invited to attend the Secure Sheep and Wool Supply (SSWS) Plan Workshop hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on May 9. This event aims to help farmers protect their flocks from diseases and prepare for potential foreign animal disease outbreaks.
The workshop will take place from 1–5 p.m. at the Iowa State Sheep Teaching Farm pavilion in Ames, Iowa, located at 3726 520th Ave. The event is free to attend, and participants can register online or contact Carolyn Ihde at cihde@iastate.edu for more details.
Attendees will benefit from hands-on training and expert advice on developing a tailored disease prevention plan. Guest speaker Dr. Danelle Bickett-Weddle from Preventalytics will guide producers on protecting sheep through proper biosecurity.
“Sheep farmers can stop disease from spreading between farms by creating a personalized plan based on their daily operations,” said Carolyn Ihde, small ruminant outreach specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the University of Wisconsin-Madison Division of Extension.
Key workshop topics include:
- Preventing common diseases from reaching sheep flocks
- Understanding response measures for foot-and-mouth disease
- Preparing for business continuity during disease outbreaks
- Implementing effective biosecurity strategies
- Creating detailed maps with clear lines of separation
The workshop also includes a tour of the Iowa State Sheep Teaching Farm, offering a real-world look at disease prevention in action.
Thanks to support from a USDA NADPRP Grant awarded to the American Sheep Industry Association, each attendee will receive a binder with SSWS resources.
“Don't miss this opportunity to safeguard your flock and ensure business continuity,” Ihde added.
This workshop empowers farmers with knowledge and tools to strengthen the health and safety of their sheep operations.
Photo Credit: iowa-state-university
Categories: Iowa, Livestock