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The AVS Sheep Production program serves
approximately 2500 farmers and ranchers in the states of Idaho and
Washington. Idaho has the highest total acreage of wilderness and
public lands of any state except Alaska. Much of this land is
unsuitable for any type of agriculture except livestock grazing. This
type of land is the home of Idaho's large sheep bands. By contrast,
the Washington sheep industry is based upon the farm flock. A number
of years ago, U of I and WSU signed reciprocal Memoranda of
Understanding agreeing to maximize resources. Washington State
University agreed to maintain a swine unit, as well as research and
educational programs in swine for both states. The U of I agreed to
maintain the sheep programs and a sheep production facility. Through
the U of I Sheep Research and Teaching Unit in Moscow, and the Caine
Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Caldwell, the AVS Department conducts
research and educational programs in the areas of range flock-, farm
flock-, and feedlot-nutrition, flock- and feedlot-health management,
range-band and farm-flock production practices, reproductive
physiology, and sustainable management and production practices. In
addition, scientists and educators maintain active collaboration with
the United States Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho, and the
USDA Animal Disease Research Unit in Pullman, Washington.
Clientele served include Idaho and
Washington range-band and farm-flock owners, feedlot owners, meat
packers, students, allied industries, youth, and extension.
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