Mission

Provide facilities, livestock, and instruction for undergraduate education and extension outreach programs on sheep production and flock management.

History

The Iowa State University Sheep Teaching Farm is one that is steeped in tradition and excellence. Iowa State University has been exhibiting sheep at the highest levels of competition since the very beginnings of livestock shows in the United States. Iowa State University’s interest in sheep production dates back to the turn of the 20th century. The first breeds raised at the Iowa State were Cotswolds, Oxfords, Merinos, Southdowns, Shropshires and Hampshires. Iowa State College began exhibiting sheep in 1912 at International Livestock Exposition in Chicago, showing Oxford and Southdown wethers. Over the years, ISU has also raised Suffolks and Ramboulliets. ISU is proud to still maintain the oldest registered Hampshire flock in the United States. The farm still continues to raise productive and competitive breeding stock today.

SHEEP GRAZING BY THE CAMPANILE-1905

CHAMPION WETHER- 1961 INTERNATIONAL; SHOWN BY AL DIXON, SHEPHERD

Flock Composition

The farm consists of 200 mature ewes and is comprised of three different production systems. The first is a flock of 60 wether type Hampshire and Suffolk cross ewes, which lamb from late December through March. The objective of this flock are to produce competitive show lambs for sale to junior livestock exhibitors for local, county, state, and national exhibition.
The second production system is a 30 head registered Hampshire flock, which is enrolled in the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). These ewes are lambed inside in January and February. Moderate frame size, rapid growth and ribeye area, in combination with desirable phenotype are the selection criteria in the Hampshire flock. The final management system is a 100 head commercial white face flock which is mainly comprised of Polypay and Polypay cross females. This flock is a low input, low labor system where ewes are moderate to small framed, easy fleshing, durable and prolific. Ewes are fed average to low quality forages during the dry lot period and little or no concentrate. Lambing is done on spring pastures in May on a rotational grazing system. Weaning usually occurs in late summer depending on pasture availability.

COMMERCIAL EWES DURING PASTURE LAMBING IN MAY	HAMPSHIRE AND WETHER EWES IN EARLY SPRING