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Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium - Productivity, Profitability, Nutrition, and Sheep Farm Succession Planning Principles

Dec 11, 2015 through Dec 12, 2015 (All day)

by Roger A. High, OSIA/OSWP Executive Director

The 2015 Buckeye Shepherd’s Symposium (BSS) ~ “Profitability, Productivity, Nutrition, and Sheep Farm Succession Planning Principles” ~ will concentrate on several topics related to the success of the sheep operation both now and in the future. The Friday Dec. 11 afternoon portion of the event will include a “Productivity and Profitability Workshop” with Dr. Richard Ehrhardt, Michigan State University Small Ruminant Specialist and Dr. Robert Leder, Large Animal Veterinarian and Sheep Farmer, Bear Creek Sheep Station, Wisconsin. The two-day event will be held Dec. 12 at the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center (OARDC), Shisler Conference Center, 1680 Madison Ave., Wooster, OH 44691.

The planning committee has put together a great program involving many factors and keeping the sheep industry in mind. The symposium program will begin with, “Status and Major Issues of the American Sheep Industry”, presented by Burton Pfliger, president of the American Sheep Industry (ASI).

Primary speakers for the Saturday program will include Dr. Richard Ehrhardt, Michigan State University Small Ruminant Specialist; Dr. Robert Leder, Large Animal Veterinarian and Sheep Farmer, Bear Creek Sheep Station, Wisconsin; Dr. Kevin Burgoon, Honor Show Chow Nutritionist, Purina Animal Nutrition; Peggy Kirk Hall, Asst. Professor, Agricultural and Resource Law; David Marrison, Ashtabula County ANR Extension Educator; and Robert Moore, Agricultural Attorney, Wright and Moore Law Firm, Columbus.

Prior to the symposium, the OSIA Annual Meeting will be held Dec. 12. at the same location. The election of the OSIA officer team and trustees will be held, as well as other important items for members to discuss.

We will once again host the annual tradeshow and “Silent Auction”. Funds from the auction have been used as the primary source of income for the Ralph Grimshaw Memorial Scholarship Fund for several years. If you will be attending the symposium, you can donate and bid on items for the auction.

Back by popular demand, you’ll enjoy the wonderful lamb shank lunch served in 2014, served by the OSU Meat Science Club, with the remainder of the meal catered by Das Essen House. Lunch will be followed by an awards program to present the Charles Boyles Master Shepherd Award, Distinguished Service Awards, and the Friend of the Ohio Sheep Industry awards. Youth recognition will be given to the state FFA sheep proficiency award winner, state 4-H sheep award winner and Ralph Grimshaw Memorial Scholarship winners.

Registration packets will be mailed to OSIA members in early November.  If you would like additional information, contact Roger A. High at (614) 246-8299 or by email at rhigh@ofbf.org. Please pass the information along to other sheep producers in your area.

►Click here for 2015 Buckeye Shepherd's Symposium Packet (PDF).

Click on image below for PDF version.