Sheep Center

Overview

The Sheep Center is located 3 miles west of the OSU Campus on 300 acres. Approximately 70% of the land consists of hillside pastures, while the remaining 30% includes forested areas and Oak Creek habitat. Additional sheep facilities located on Campus Way include two barns and 13 acres of pasture. The center maintains an 80-ewe breeding flock for hands-on student education, research, and experience. Labor for the sheep center is supplied by the supervisor, student employees, and student volunteers during lambing season.

The main sheep barn is equipped for animal handling, lambing, and includes a working chute and scale. Another barn on the main property offers additional handling facilities and a working chute, while the Campus Way barns feature animal handling areas, pen breeding, and a working chute.

The ewe flock is primarily composed of purebred Polypays, bred for February/March lambing. The flock is expanding to include more commercial ewes, with Polypay-Hampshire and Polypay-Suffolk crosses. Approximately 30% of the ewes are bred to a purebred Polypay ram for purebred offspring, while 65% are bred to a terminal sire ram (Hampshire or Suffolk) for crossbred commercial lambs. Additionally, a small Hampshire-Suffolk cross club-lamb flock is bred for December/January lambing, providing market lambs for 4-H/FFA youth.

Research at the Sheep Center primarily focuses on reproduction, animal behavior, animal health, grazing systems, and forage management. The center also supports teaching and extension activities, serving the OSU Department of Animal Sciences and the College of Veterinary Medicine for various labs.

For information, contact Turner Lear via email at: turner.lear@oregonstate.edu.