Sheep

The Larimer County Sheep Project is a great way to learn about animal husbandry and overall care.

Youth in the Sheep project interact with research-based information that encourages confidence, character-building, industry knowledge, and sportsmanship.

Youth will can learn how to properly care for an animal and how to keep accurate records.

Why Participate in a Sheep Project

  • Opportunity to learn about raising a market animal
  • Build budgeting skills
  • Learn about accurate record-keeping
A boy preps his sheep for showing at a fair

How is STEM included?

  • Science:
    • Fundamental aspects of nutrition
    • Heritable traits
    • How aspects of evaluation correlate to end results
  • Technology/ Engineering
    • System designs
  • Math 
    • Outlining Budgets
    • Targets an end point weight
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Please note:

On occasion, workshop dates may need to change. Please check the Clover Connection and/or Livestock Calendar for the most up-to-date information.

Sheep Project Workshops

Subjects in workshops listed below are tentative. Information may change based upon audience needs or current events. Workshops following the orientation will have a showmanship component where kids are welcome to bring their animal to practice with. Other events that may pertain to the project are listed in order by date.

  • May 22, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. - Benefits of Working with Your Veterinarian/Animal Health, 4-H, Youth, and Community Arena
  • June 5 & 6 - Sheep & Goat Camp, 4-H, Youth, and Community Arena
  • June 12, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. - Record Keeping, 4-H, Youth, and Community Arena
  • June 26, 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. - Fitting your animal for exhibition, 4-H, Youth, and Community Arena

Sheep Tag-In Day (required to participate in County Fair)

  • May 8th, 2024, 4-H Pavilion from 4pm - 7pm

Round Robin Workshop

The Extension office will be hosting a Round Robin Clinic that will have all 7 species. Extension office will use experienced showman to help demonstrate how to show each of the respected animals. 

  • July 10, 4:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m., Round Robin Workshop (All Species Invited), 4-H, Youth, and Community Arena

MQA Training

  • Friday, May 17, 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. in the Exhibit Hall, McKee 4-H Building, The Ranch.
  • The training will take between an hour to one and half hours to complete. You do not have to be there the entire time. Please arrive by 6:30 p.m. in order to complete the training in a timely manner.
  • If this is your first year in 4-H or your first year in a livestock project you must attend. You must  attend once as a Junior member, ages 8 to 13 and once as a Senior member, ages 14 - 18 as of December 31, 2023. All eight year olds and all 14 year olds must attend this year. 

Starting Out - Beginner

Inspiring youth to:

  • Learn about sheep
  • Learn how to produce a safe, wholesome product
  • Identify the parts of a sheep
  • Learn about nutritional requirements and different types of feed
  • Practice evaluating sheep
  • Learn about a sheep's digestive system
  • Identify common sheep diseases
  • Learn how to keep records
  • Learn how to assume responsibility

Learning More - Intermediate

Inspiring youth to:

  • Investigate technology's impact on sheep production
  • Learn how to exhibit your animal
  • Purchase, feed, and care for sheep
  • Learn about goal setting
  • Gain knowledge of sound management practices
  • Develop sportsmanship and public speaking skills

Exploring Depth - Advanced

Inspiring youth to:

  • Learn how to deal with current issues related to raising sheep
  • Gain leadership skills by helping others learn about sheep
  • Explore career opportunities in the sheep industry
  • Build lifelong friendships

Youth enrolled in the sheep project should:

  • Establish your project goals.
    • These goals can involve internal growth as a 4-H member, community connections, or even competition goals. 
    • We suggest setting goals before purchasing an animal because it will allow you to focus on animals that will allow you to achieve your goals. 
  • Determine what you have for a budget for the upcoming year.
    • Things to consider when setting a budget:
      • Facility/ housing
      • Purchasing an animal
      • Vet expenses
      • Feed cost
      • Travel
      • Equipment Expenses
  • Complete their e-Record/ Record Book

Requirements to Participate in the County Fair:

  • Your animal must have a Premise ID
  • You must attend MQA (meat quality assurance) training at minimum:
    • Your first year as a junior
    • Your first year as a senior
  • You must attend Sheep tag-in day
  • Attend any mandatory sale meetings
  • Upload your animal ID/photo in 4-H online

4-H Record Books are also called e-Records. Each project has its own record book that members are required to complete each year.

Record Book Check-In Sheet

Junior:

Intermediate:

Senior:

Project Letter

All project manuals are received through the Larimer County 4-H Extension office. These will be distributed to 4-H members through their organizational leaders (club leaders) after enrollment is complete. For more information on enrollment visit Join 4-H.

Thinking about signing up for the Sheep Project? Already enrolled but have questions? Contact:

 

Bailey Schilling
4-H Livestock Agent
970-498-6022
schillbw@co.larimer.co.us

To print all upcoming events, select "Agenda" and then "Print"