ANSC 3850 - Dairy Sheep Management

Fall, Spring. 3 credits. Letter grades only.

Prerequisite: ANSC 2100 or ANSC 3800, or permission of instructor. Enrollment limited to: juniors and seniors or permission of instructor. Co-meets with ANSC 5850.

N. Kochendoerfer, J. Waltemyer.

Management and milking sheep to produce dairy products for human consumption. Complements ANSC 3800 (Sheep), which is a suggested, but not required, prerequisite, with in-depth knowledge and practice about the biology and management of sheep used for milk production, including the increased economic and environmental sustainability of dairy sheep. Laboratory sessions will focus on practical management and milking skills. Students will do twice weekly 7 am or 5 pm sessions to milk and care for ewes and lambs. Students will be guided to develop a term paper that describes an example small sheep dairy or farmstead creamery. At the conclusion of the course, students will have the knowledge to analyze, understand, and operate small ruminant dairy systems.

Outcome 1: Students will be able to explain the basic concepts of milk component synthesis and milk component composition of sheep milk in contrast with other ruminant milks, and describe the influence of nutrition, genetics, and environment on milk components.

Outcome 2: Students will create a business plan for a small dairy sheep operation or a farmstead creamery that will include design, budget, management, and marketing elements.

Outcome 3: Students will be able to identify the advantages and disadvantages of different sheep milking and management systems.

Outcome 4: Students will be able to explain the processes to make and market sheep milk products.