K-State Small Ruminant Research & Extension

09/21/2026

💜🐑 Help Support the Future of K-State Wool Judging!

Wool judging gives K-State students hands-on experience in wool evaluation, sheep production, and the wool industry while building confidence, communication skills, and lifelong connections.

A special shoutout to Lauren Thompson for helping revive the K-State collegiate wool judging team and for creating these opportunities for our students! Every contribution helps provide the resources needed for students to learn, compete, and grow.

Want to support the next generation of sheep and wool industry leaders? Learn more and give here:
https://giving.ksufoundation.org/support-the-future-of-k-state-wool-judging/?a=1

Every gift makes a difference! Go Cats! 💜

Join me and make a gift to Collegiate Wool Judging Team!

09/14/2026

We look forward to hopefully seeing everyone on October 23–24 in Hays. Mark your calendars, and we hope to see you there!

08/15/2026

Sheep IQ is the national sheep education hub from the American Lamb Board and ASI. Free guides, videos, and tools to help U.S. producers grow a stronger flock.

08/14/2026

08/03/2026

This is a fantastic opportunity for junior participants to expand their knowledge, develop new skills, and connect with the Kansas sheep industry. We hope to see you in Hays on October 23–24!

The Kansas Sheep Association voted to include a junior program with this year’s symposium in Hays on October 23-24! The program will include activities and programs geared for our Kansas youth. There is an opportunity for the youth attending the event to win cash prizes, buyers’ credits from elite breeders, sheep equipment and other items by participating in a skillathon like event. Each junior participant is guaranteed to receive a prize.
There will be two divisions based on age of the junior sheep breeders. The placing will be based on a composite score of the skillathon and quizzes throughout the symposium. The contest will include:
Quiz based on tour stops and program
Breed identification
Sheep equipment identification
Meet the sheep breeder and get their signature. For example, ask until you find someone who raises Rambouillet sheep.
Other ideas still being formulated
Prizes for the top 5 composite scores both in the senior and junior divisons.
1st $150
2nd $100
3rd $75
4th $50
5th $40

So, juniors, convince your parents to spend two days with other Kansas sheep producers in Hays, Kansas October 23-24!

08/02/2026

🚨ANIMAL HEALTH ALERT🚨
USDA APHIS confirmed classical scrapie in a sheep slaughtered in a facility in Oregon.

APHIS and state animal health officials recently initiated an investigation to determine the flock of origin. The affected animal did not have an ear tag. This case is a reminder of why tagging compliance and surveillance participation are critical to safeguarding flocks nationwide.

Please read the full ASI press release here: https://champ.ly/XD8kUh9y.
For additional information regarding scrapie, visit: https://www.aphis.usda.gov/livestock-poultry-disease/sheep-goat/scrapie.

ASI will not be monitoring social media comments as the USDA investigation is ongoing.

07/09/2026

06/18/2026

We want to recognize and celebrate the hard work of our sheep graduate and undergraduate students in our lab this past spring. Great job on all you accomplished!

ASI Summer Reading Series📚

This Thursday’s featured story highlights the students who work hard in the classroom, animal units and labs to further research efforts for our department and industry.

🔗 Read the story here: https://www.asi.k-state.edu/about/news/26researchsymposiums.html

06/15/2026

A two-day grazing workshop will be held in Manhattan on July 28 and 29. The registration link is below. Hope to see you there! https://natglcevents.zohobackstage.com/TheGrazingToolboxwithTomShea

06/15/2026

This session will provide an overview on the biology of the New World screwworm, discuss it’s impact on cattle in Kansas prior to eradication and a look this could look like in the future.