Olympia Ag Students Visit Local Sheep Farm

 

[December 13, 2017]  The Olympia High School Introduction to Agriculture classes spent their class period on Tuesday, November 14, 2017 at the sheep farm of Mark and Beth Fasse in rural Minier.

The students had been learning about the sheep industry in class when the hands-on opportunity arose.

Students were able to observe a specialist from Purdue University as he performed pregnancy checks on the flock of ewes. Using an ultra-sound machine, the specialist was able to calculate approximate due dates as well as how many lambs would be born to each ewe.

It was an excellent opportunity for students to see how technology is being used to improve efficiency. By knowing when the ewes are due to lamb they can be sorted into groups and fed an appropriate diet for their stage of gestation. The group that is closest to lambing can also be checked more often and the producer will be better prepared for when lambing occurs. The number of lambs is important to know as well when assisting with problematic births.

Students were also able to see many different tools that are used in the sheep industry. Everything from shears and wool cards to ear taggers and shepherd’s crooks were available to see and handle.

Olympia High School Ag Teacher, Bryce Hoffman, demonstrated how to trim and clean hooves on several sheep with the use of a sheep cradle and hoof trimmers. Students were happy to be able to use their block class period to get out and see real world agriculture.

“That is one of the biggest advantages to our block schedule. We have 85 minutes to take a local field trip. Students really enjoy getting out of the classroom to experience these hands-on opportunities,” stated Hoffman.

If anyone knows of other unique agricultural experiences for students offered close by, please contact Mr. Hoffman at Olympia High School.

[Bryce Hoffman]