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South Dakota Sheep Growers convention set for Sept. 27

The South Dakota Sheep Growers Association will host its 71st annual convention Sept. 27, 2008, at the Golden Hills Resort in Lead.

The resort, located at 900 Miner’s Ave., is the site for registration that begins at 8 a.m. Meetings begin at 9 a.m.

The agenda includes a series of meetings covering sheep production, research, and marketing. Jeff Held, South Dakota State University Extension sheep specialist and professor of animal and range sciences, will lead a presentation on sheep production in an era of higher feed costs.



Held, along with SDSU Extension Beef Specialist Julie Walker, will share information on SDSU sheep research initiatives.

Craig Hanson, a veterinarian with the South Dakota Animal Industry Board, will discuss the progress of scrapie eradication and national animal identification. Staff from the South Dakota Department of Game, Fish, and Parks will present information on its animal damage control program.



Megan Wortman, the American Lamb Board executive director, will discuss the board’s programs, and at noon, Held will lead a recognition program for South Dakota Master Lamb Producers.

In the afternoon, a women’s program tour will take place, and Larry Prager, manager of the Center of the Nation Wool, Inc., will discuss China’s role in the global wool market.

Burton Pfluger, area director for the American Sheep Industry, will give an update on national industry issues, and the SDSGA annual business meeting will conclude the business of the conference. A fresh American lamb banquet at 7 p.m. and the finals for the state contest “Make It Yourself With Wool” will conclude the event.

For more information about the event, contact Jeff Held at (605) 688-5433, or e-mail him at Jeffrey.Held@sdstate.edu.

Call (605) 584-1800 and ask for South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Convention for lodging information at the resort.