The mission of the Sheep Teaching Farm is to provide facilities, livestock, and instruction for undergraduate education and extension outreach programs on sheep production and flock management.
The Sheep Teaching Farm is one that is steeped in tradition and excellence. Iowa State University has been exhibiting sheep at the highest levels of competition since the very beginnings of livestock shows in the United States. Iowa State University's interest in sheep production dates back to the turn of the 20th century. The first breeds raised at Iowa State University were Cotswolds, Oxfords, Merinos, Southdowns, Shropshires and Hampshires. Iowa State College began exhibiting sheep in 1912 at International Livestock Exposition in Chicago, showing Oxford and Southdown wethers. Over the years, ISU has also raised Suffolks and Ramboulliets. ISU is proud to still maintain the oldest registered Hampshire flock in the United States. The farm still continues to raise productive and competitive breeding stock today.
Flock Composition
We have around 250 breeding ewes with registered Hampshires making up roughly 70 ewes and about 180 Polypay ewes. The Hampshires are enrolled in the National Sheep Improvement program (NSIP) and produce breeding rams to sell to commercial producers. The selection criteria in the Hampshire flock is a moderate frame size, rapid growth and ribeye area, in combination with desirable phenotype. The Polypays are a commercial herd that is a low input system where ewes are moderate to small framed, easy fleshing, durable and prolific.
We have started to lamb both the Hampshires and some Polypays in January and February. The remainder of the Polypays will lamb in April. All lambing occurs in the barn but later spring lambs are put onto pasture.
We are starting an intensive grazing system with strip grazing. This is mainly done with electric fence and rotating strips every ~3 days where the April lambers are raising their lambs. The April lambs are weaned in June and the ewes will stay on rotational grazing through August.
Teaching and Research
Several research trials utilize the Sheep Teaching Farm. These range from a trace mineral bioavailability trial to various animal health trials. There is also increasing research incorporating precision livestock farming (PLF) techniques such as wearable sensor technologies.
The sheep farm also hosts sheep science labs and provides hands-on learning for introductory courses like ANS 1010 and ANS 1900 when students tour the farm. Undergraduate students gain exposure to sheep handling and various production systems. Each year we also host many prospective student tours and assist with extension programs.
The Sheep Teaching Farm is also a great asset for students in the College of Veterinary Medicine. Each year, students from the small ruminant rotation and the veterinary field services rotation are able to gain practical, hands-on experience in flock health and treatment. Additionally, starting in the Spring Semester 2026, all first year vet students come to the sheep farm for 2 weeks as part of a practical skills course where they learn basic animal handling and the animal health skills they will need once they become practicing veterinarians.
The farm typically employees about 3 undergraduate employees per semester and there are also internship opportunities.
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Location
3640 520th Avenue, Ames, Iowa 50014
