Sheep
The sheep project can be an avenue for learning about the sheep industry. You will learn how to manage a market lamb or build your own breeding flock. 4-H members can enroll in either market or breeding.
Project Leader
Christy Mercer
(620) 389-2541
Things to Learn/Do in the Project
Age 7-9
- Learn the parts of a sheep
- Identify breeds of sheep and their uses
- Manage and train sheep for show
Age 10-13
- Learn safety procedures and management practices for maintaining a flock
- Identify symptoms, causes and treatment of common diseases
- Study nutritional requirements for various ages of sheep
Age 14 and Older
- Learn reproduction and genetics of sheep
- Study technology's impact on sheep production
- Explore career opportunities in the sheep industry
Project Materials
Reasonably priced materials are available for every project in Kansas 4-H. You can order the materials for your project online or contact your local Extension Office.
Market Lamb (SH100)
- Select, raise and show a market lamb
- Member must obtain ownership of the animal
- Market ewes should not be returned to a breeding flock
- Lambs, Rams and You (ages 7-10)
- Shear Delight (ages 11-13)
Breeding Sheep (SH200)
- Select, raise and show a breeding ewe
- Purchase a flock of breeding ewes
- Leading the Flock (ages 14+)
General Sheep Resources
- Kansas 4-H Sheep Project Promotional Brochure
- 4-H Market Livestock Record
- Kansas 4-H Generic Record Form
- Market Lamb Showmanship from Start to Finish
- Livestock Judging Guide
Project Leader Resources
- Kansas 4-H Sheep Project Leader Notebook
- Level I (ages 7-8)
- Level II (ages 9-11)
- Level III (ages 12-14)
- Level IV (ages 15+) - Sheep Helper's Guide
- Quality Counts Notebook and CD
General Resources
- Market Lamb Showmanship from Start to Finish
- Official Kansas 4-H Sheep Showmanship Scorecard
- Kansas Livestock Nomination DNA Hair Sample
- Youth Livestock Safety
- Animal Science Youth Livestock
Additional Resources - Veterinary Science
- From Airdales to Zebras (ages 7-10)
- All Systems Go (ages 11-13)
- On the Cutting Edge (ages 14+)
- Veterinary Science Helper's Guide
- Nebraska 4-H Veterinary Science
Events and Activities
State 4-H Livestock Sweepstakes
(Includes Livestock Judging Contest, Quiz Bowl, Skillathon and Meats Judging Contest)
When: August
Where: Manhattan, KS
Livestock Judging Contest
Award: Trip to Louisville, KY
Donor: Kansas Livestock Association
Award: Trip to National Western Stock Show, Denver, CO
Donor: Kansas Farm Bureau
Award: Trip to American Royal, Kansas City, MO
Donor: Joe Lewis Endowment
Meats Judging Contest
Award: Trip to National Western Stock Show, Denver, CO
Award: Trip to American Royal, Kansas City, MO/KSU
Kansas State 4-H Sheep Show
When: September
Where: Hutchinson, KS
Award: Cash premium and trophy buckle to Grand Champion
Donor: Grand Drive Committee, Kansas State Fair
Award: Additional cash premium will be pro-rated among the Champion and Reserve Champion breeds
Donor: Kansas Sheep Association Purebred Committee
Youth Sheep Day
Where: Manhattan, KS
When: March
Awards and Recognition
County Level
Award: Medal presented at your 4-H Achievement Banquet
Donor: Kansas 4-H Foundation Patron Sponsor Fund
State Level
Award: Medallion
Donor: Kansas 4-H Foundation Patron Sponsor Fund
National Level
Award: $400 National 4-H Congress Scholarship
Donor: Kansas 4-H Foundation Patron Sponsor Fund
