Washington State University Extension and Department of Animal Sciences and Sumner FFA are excited to announce the first WSU LAMB 100 short-course.  The course will be offered in Western Washington on October 1-2, 2010 at Sumner High School.

WSU LAMB 100 is a two-day, hands-on workshop designed for progressive individuals involved with the sheep industry.  WSU LAMB 100 was developed from WSU LAMB 300 offered at the Department of Animal Sciences on the Pullman Campus.  WSU LAMB 100 will focus on teaching producers, feeders, and marketers, regardless of the size or type of operation, how to produce and market quality lambs and lamb products.  Participants will learn how nutritional, genetic, and managerial factors contribute to meat quality.  Participants will also learn how meat quality factors influence the price producers receive for lamb and lamb products marketed through various outlets.  This program will increase one’s understanding of lamb quality and marketing, enabling participants to make informed decisions to improve profitability, quality, and wholesomeness of the lambs they are producing.  The course will feature nationally recognized speakers in the area of sheep production, feeding, processing, and marketing.    A pre-conference tour of Best Custom Meat, a halal slaughter facility for niche marketing of lamb and goats, will be available to participants on Friday prior to the start of WSU LAMB 100.

The registration fee for WSU LAMB 100 is $85 per participant, which covers meals, materials, and notebook.  Hotel accommodations will be the responsibility of the participants.  The course is limited to 40 participants and will be available on a first-pay, first-serve basis.  Registration deadline is September 10, 2010.

For additional information on WSU LAMB 100, contact:  Jan Busboom, WSU Meat Specialist, (509)335-2880 or busboom@wsu.edu; or Sarah M. Smith, Area Animal Science Educator, (509)754-2011, Ext 413 or smithsm@wsu.edu.  More information and registration forms are available on the WSU Central Animal Agriculture web page at http://animalag.wsu.edu under “Upcoming Events”.