Sheep Unit
Arlington Sheep Research Unit
Address
W4857 Meek Read
Arlington, Wisconsin 53911
Background
The Sheep unit is a part of the Arlington Agricultural Research station. It consists of 50 acres and two main barns which house 300 head of mature ewes and their lambs. The current flock consists of 100 head of registered Hampshires, 30 registered Targhees, 40 registered Polypays and 30 registered Rambouillets. These sheep are used for teaching and extension, as well as research geared towards improving production genetics and reproductive techniques. In addition, sheep bred through these programs are exhibited and consigned to numerous state and national shows and sales annually.
In addition to the purebred ewes, the Sheep unit also houses commercial Baroola-Rambouillet cross ewes that are in an ongoing project to increase the prolificacy of the traditional white face range ewe. Another 35 crossbred ewes are maintained in the flock to be used for hands on instruction in sheep husbandry. Every spring, these sheep are housed in the on campus Livestock Lab for students in the Sheep Production class to have the opportunity to shear, feed, vaccinate and lamb these ewes on campus.
Opportunities for summer internships are available to students interested in gaining experience in the sheep industry.
For more information and to set up a tour, please call Todd Taylor at 608-846-5858.