Learning About Lambing & Kidding

Approximately 90 adults and youth participated in the 2013 Lambing & Kidding School held December 7 at the Western Maryland Research & Education Center in Keedysville, Maryland.

The featured speaker was Dr. Mara Mullinix. Dr. Mullinix operates a mixed veterinary practice in Monrovia, Maryland. She has considerable experience working with small ruminants and is the consulting vet for the Western Maryland Pasture-Based Meat Goat Performance Test.

The youth program was run by Chris Anderson, University of  Maryland 4-H youth animal science specialist. Other presenters and facilitators included Susan Schoenian, Dr. Nelson Escobar, Shannon Uzelac, and Becky Yost.

Youth program:  dissecting goat testicles

The school received financial support from the University of Maryland's Beginning Farmer Success program. Almost 90 percent of the (adult) participants in the school had been raising sheep and/or goats for less than 10 years, USDA's definition of a beginning farmer.

Special thanks is extended to the companies that donated door prizes or made other contributions to the school:  D-S  Livestock Equipment, Good Shepherd Lamb Coats, Health E-Z ™ Hay Feeder, Premier 1 Supplies, Shepherd Magazine, and Sheepman Supply Company.

The Lambing & Kidding School is held every other year in a different location in Maryland. The next school (in 2015) is tentatively planned for Harford County.

2013 Lambing & Kidding School Proceedings