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The Sheep unit is located at the Arlington Agricultural Research station.
This unit sits on approximately 50 acres and consists of two main barns
that will house 300 head of mature ewes with there lambs. Sheep are used
throughout the year for various research, teaching and extension programs.
Dr. David Thomas is the faculty supervisor for the sheep unit, with Randy
Gottfredson, sheep extension program manager, Todd Taylor, shepherd, and
Derald Stronach, assistant shepherd, making up the rest of the sheep unit
staff.
The current flock consists of 100 head of registered Hampshires, 30 registered
Targhees, 40 registered Polypays and 30 registered Rambouillets. These
four breeds are used for teaching and extension programs, but are also
involved in research geared toward improving production genetics and reproductive
techniques in sheep. These programs include semen collection and storage,
artificial insemination, ultrasound, and embryo transfer. These sheep
are also exhibited and consigned to numerous state and national shows
and sales annually.
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Also housed at Arlington are 60 commercial Baroola-Rambouillet cross ewes
that are in an ongoing project to increase the prolificacy of the traditional
white face range ewe. Another 35 crossbred ewes consisting of a mixture
of several breeds of sheep are utilized for hands on instruction in sheep
husbandry. These sheep are maintained and bred at Arlington, but housed
in the Livestock Lab each spring. Students from the Sheep Production class
have the opportunity to shear, feed, vaccinate and lamb these ewes on
campus.
Opportunities for summer internships are available for students interested
in gaining further experience in the sheep business.
Contact:
Todd Taylor
W4857 Meek Rd.,
Arlington WI, 53911
Email: toddtaylor@facstaff.wisc.edu
Ph/fax#: 608-846-5858
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Arlington Sheep Research Unit