Sheep Research and Teaching Center

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    Through a cooperative agreement between the University of Idaho, Animal and Veterinary Science Department and Washington State University, Animal Science Department, the University of Idaho Sheep Research and Teaching Center provides sheep, facilities and supervision for the conduct of a broad-based, comprehensive, research, teaching and outreach/public education program for the sheep industry in Idaho and Washington. The Sheep Center consists of ~ 126 acres located ½ mile North of campus. Dave Casebolt, M.S. manages the Sheep Center and employs 4-6 part-time student workers per year. In addition, as part of the curriculum in AVS 210 and AVS 476, 20-40 undergraduate students per year assist the Sheep Center with lambing. The Sheep Center Manager coordinates Sheep Center activities with Dr. Dick Battaglia, the AVS faculty in charge of the U of I Sheep Program.  This includes management program, facility needs, procurement and marketing of animals, and research and teaching priorities.

    Current animal inventory includes 120 ewes and 6 rams. The breeding ewe flock consists of purebred Suffolk and Cheviots. The flock is enrolled in the National Voluntary Scrapie Flock Certification Program (enrollment year 99) and all breeding animals are genotyped at codons 171 and 136. In addition the flock is tested regularly for ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPP).

    The Sheep Center welcomes visitors year-round. Larger groups (>5 persons) should contact the Sheep Center Manager to request tours. Lambing generally starts in mid-March and again in late August.