North Dakota Lamb & Wool Convention Set

The North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association will host their annual convention on Friday, Oct. 7 and Saturday, Oct. 8 at the Roughrider Hotel, Medora.

On Friday, the event starts with golfing at the Bully Pulpit at 10 a.m. The speed shearing contest beginning at 5 p.m. will feature shearers and provide unique entertainment for the crowd.

Events will continue as attendees return to the Roughrider Hotel. The American Lamb social sponsored by Double J Lamb begins at 6:30 p.m. and will provide a variety of lamb cuts, preparation methods and creative dishes featured by the hotel's executive chef.

The association will recognize colleagues from North Dakota Wildlife Services for their efforts toward our industry, and the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association fundraiser auction will follow.

"The annual convention provides sheep, lamb and wool industry information that can be applied for our attendee's own operations," says Travis Hoffman, North Dakota State University Extension sheep specialist. "Our state organization serves to provide educational programming across a variety of topics, and feature a wool producer panel in the afternoon session."

Saturday's convention educational sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. with industry updates from the American Lamb Board, American Sheep Industry Association, North Dakota Wildlife Services and NDSU researchers.

Dr. Susan Keller, North Dakota state veterinarian, will be honored with the 2022 Distinguished Service Award for her impactful efforts serving the sheep producers across the state.

The convention also features the Make It With Wool contest, a competition of handmade clothing and accessory items, and the Journey with Wool activity, an interactive wool project.

Hoffman will lead youth attendees in a focused discussion on their sheep projects.

"Our sheep industry is strengthened with relationships," says Brad Pozarnsky, North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association president. "Our association plans to provide education, an opportunity for industry involvement and inevitably increase membership in 2023."

Registration information is available at ndsu.ag/lamb-convention, http://www.ndsheep.org or the NDSU Sheep Extension Facebook page. For more information, contact Hoffman at 701-231-2222 or [email protected].