Events

Shepherd's Holiday Convention

American Sheep Industry Annual Conference

Spring Workshop

Shepherd's Harvest Festival

Minnesota State Fair

Minnesota Fiber Festival

2023 LWP Shepherd's Holiday, Dec 8-9, Alexandria, MN

Friday December 8, 2023

Dan Persons Farm Tour - with Preg Check Ultrasound Demo 12:30-3:00 pm (10169 110th St, Kensington, MN) [Search for Rafter P Ranch on Google Maps for directions]
Lamb Social 5:30 pm—Holiday Inn, Alexandria Fundraiser Auction

Saturday December 9, 2023

Registration 7:15-8:00
Conference 8:00- 4:00
Tentative Seminar topics 

Parasite Control; Dr. Kelly Froehlich, SDSU 
Preventing Losses from Abortion Diseases; Dr. John King, DVM 
Programs Available to Sheep Producers; Commissioner Thom Petersen, MN Dept. of Ag 
What MN Grown has to Offer; Mallory Forseth 
Annual MLWP mtg 
Awards Luncheon 
2022 Silver Bell Awardee; Phil Berg 
Discovery Center Report & Lamb Market Report; Superior Farms 
ASI Update; Anne Crider, ASI Region Rep 
ALB Update; ALB Rep TBD 
“Ram Session” - an open forum on current sheep industry trends and topics.

Wool / Fiber Activities

MIWW Registration 7:00-8:00 am 
MIWW judging 8:00-11:00 
Wool Activities & Wool Jeopardy (8:00– 10:00) 
MIWW Style show (1:20)

Trade Show 8:00 am –4:00 pm

2022-Minnesota Lamb and Wool Conference is set for Alexandria, MN. The Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association will host their annual conference on Friday, Dec. 9 and Saturday, Dec. 10 at the Holiday Inn in Alexandria, Minnesota.

On Friday, the event starts with an interactive sheep tour at Dennis Lieser’s operation, 29054 CR 175, Belgrade, Minnesota at 1 PM. Lieser will discuss how he is able to manage 850 ewes, with over 200 fall lambing with sharing his sheep production thoughts and lessons. He lambs the ewes in a barn with plastic slat flooring, grazes the sheep at solar panel sites, and finishes his lambs for market.

An American Lamb social and Fundraiser Auction will follow at the Holiday Inn. Th e social,begins at 6:30 p.m. and is sponsored by Superior Farms. The hotel’s executive chef will provide creativity with ground lamb preparation methods, recipes, and show case feature dishes.

Saturday’s educational program will consist of timely industry updates from the American Sheep Industry Association, American Lamb Board, and Superior Farms. “As sheep producers, it is important to be at the forefront of our issues, and how we can be involved in shaping the future of our industry,” says Randy Kinney, Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association past-president.

Further educational topics include mastitis and ewe milk production, sheep biosecurity, production economics, and the new 2023 antibiotic use guidance. The afternoon discussion will highlight research accomplished by North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota as well as a panel focused on artificial insemination, embryo transfer and out-of-season breeding.

Our previous Silver Bell award winners, Steve Scheffert and Randy Kinney will provide an overview of their operations and share secrets to their successes. This year’s award winners will also be recognized at the luncheon. “Our esteemed award winners have served our Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, and it is a tremendous honor not only for them to be recognized but also for them to tell their own story for conference attendees,” says Travis Hoffman, Extension sheep specialist for UMN and NDSU Extension.

A key focus of conference is the importance of sheep producers’ contribution to the wool, fiber and apparel industry. Wool-focused educational fiber arts activities include acclaimed fiber enthusiast Becky Utecht and local talented wool handspinners. Learn a new wool felting skill or the joys of handspinning with interactive breakout activities.

The Minnesota Make-it-with-Wool program competition will be held on Saturday morning. “Our Minnesota wool enthusiasts take great pride in creating and modeling their efforts that promote wool in lifestyle clothing for Make it with Wool events,” says Glenette Sperry, Minnesota Make-it-with-Wool chair. Participants of all ages will model their wool garments during the MIWW fashion show following the Saturday luncheon.

Registration information will be available on the Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Facebook page. MLWP thanks all who help sponsor this event, and especially our major sponsors: American Sheep Industry Association, MN Corn Growers, MN Department of Agriculture, and Superior Farms. Our sheep, lamb and wool industry looks forward to your involvement and attendance at this year event in Alexandria, MN on December 9th and 10th.

Upcoming events

Minnesota Lamb and Wool Producers Annual Conference 2022