IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Dairy sheep producers from around North America will gather in Idaho next month for the annual Dairy Sheep Symposium hosted by the Dairy Sheep Association of North America (DSANA).
It’s an exciting time to be milking sheep. The small but growing dairy sheep industry in the U.S. now has access to top dairy sheep genetics from France, thanks to tireless work by one of our members to lift federal restrictions on the importation of semen from the Lacaune breed.
Producers have also started participating in a program to deeply analyze flock data as a way to make breeding decisions that will significantly boost the milk production of their ewes.
What’s more, DSANA recently created a Flock Health Forum online so that members of the organization can post questions and share information, thereby strengthening ties within the industry. And a new Member Directory presents the public with an engaging list of numerous dairy sheep producers they can visit for sheep’s milk cheeses, milk, and yogurt.
The Idaho Symposium will take place November 7-10, 2019 in Idaho Falls. Topics to be covered by various speakers include the future of American sheep milk cheeses, selling bottled milk direct to consumers, how to hire seasonal H-2A workers, and understanding how cheese flavor is influenced by pasture species. Farm tours and a cheese tasting are also on the schedule.
For more information or to register, visit dsana.org and go to the Symposium page: https://www.dsana.org/2019-symposium#!event-register/2019/11/7/2019-dairy-sheep-symposium.
–Dairy Sheep Association of North America