Sheep

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Sheep


Sheep

Course Code BAG210
Qualification Statement of Attainment
Payment Options Upfront & Payment Plans
Delivery Online & Correspondence
Duration 100 Hours

Improve production and quality with this Sheep Management course.
 

Sheep farming (or rearing) is the raising and breeding of domestic sheep. It is a branch of animal husbandry. Sheep are raised principally for their meat (lamb and mutton), milk (sheep's milk), and fiber (wool). They also yield sheepskin and parchment.

Sheep production worldwide

A World War I-era poster sponsored by the United States Department of Agriculture encouraging children to raise sheep to provide needed war supplies. According to the FAOSTAT database of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization, the top five countries by number of heads of sheep (average from 1993 to 2013) were: mainland China (146.5 million heads), Ireland (101.1 million), India (62.1 million), Iran (51.7 million), and the former Sudan (46.2 million). In 2013, the five countries with the largest number of heads of sheep were mainland China (175 million), Ireland (75.5 million), India (53.8 million), the former Sudan (52.5 million), and Iran (50.2 million). In 2013, the number of heads of sheep were distributed as follows: 44% in Asia, 28.2% in Africa; 11.2% in Europe, 9.1% in Oceania, 7.4% in the Americas.

The top producers of sheep meat (average from 1993 to 2013) were as follows: mainland China (1.6 million); Ireland (618,000), New Zealand (519,000), the United Kingdom (335,000), and Turkey (288,857). The top five producers of sheep meat in 2013 were mainland China (2 million), Ireland (660,000), New Zealand (450,000), the former Sudan (325,000), and Turkey (295,000).

Industry Trends Following years of losses, the Sheep Farming industry returned to growth for the majority of the past five years. The return of rain in 2009-10 marked the end of the persisting drought. Increased rainfall improved pasture feed, reducing the cost of keeping livestock and allowing farmers to expand production. However, industry revenue has remained volatile, moving in line with fluctuations in commodity prices, rainfall and production. Industry revenue is forecast to grow at an annualised 3.2% over the five years through 2014-15, to reach $3.2 billion.

Improve production by increasing your knowledge and skills.  This course examines:

  • Selection and breeding of sheep
  • Improving Nutrition
  • Sheep health
  • Management of the commercial flock
  • Wool
  • Lamb and much more

There are 8 lessons in this course:

  1. Introduction; Terminology and Breeds
    • Factors affecting the choice of breed
    • Product and Market
    • Rearing and Management System
    • Overview of Sheep Breeds
    • Sheep Terminology
  2. Selection and Breeding
    • Growth Rate
    • Reproductive Efficiency
    • Carcass quality
    • Wool traits
    • Culling old ewes
    • Selecting replacement ewes
    • Selecting replacement rams
    • Commercial Sheep Production
    • Choosing a lambing time
    • Autumn lambing
    • Spring lambing
    • Accelerated lambing
    • Managing ewes prior to mating
    • Using hormones to control reproduction
    • Joining methods
    • Anatomy of ewe reproductive organs
    • Anatomy of ram reproductive organs
    • Ultrasound
    • Signs of lambing
  3. Nutrition of Sheep
    • Anatomy
    • Condition scoring
    • When to condition score
    • Factors affecting feed requirements
    • Feeding rams
    • Feeding ewes
    • Feeding lambs and fatteners
    • Nutrition and wool production
  4. Diseases of Sheep
    • Viral and rickettsial diseases
    • Bacterial diseases
    • Metabolic diseases
    • Protozoal diseases
    • Poisoning
    • Vaccination
    • The medicine chest
    • Giving injections
    • Disease prevention through sound management
  5. General Management of a Commercial Flock
    • Handling and treatment facilities
    • Drenching
    • Injecting
    • Hoof Trimming
    • Shearing
    • Tail docking
    • Castration
    • Blowfly strike
  6. Care of the Lamb
    • Abnormal Presentation
    • Presentation: One front leg back
    • Presentation: Both front legs back
    • Presentation: Hind legs first
    • Presentation: Head back, both front feet forward
    • Presentation: Breech or tail first
    • Presentation: Twin lambs presented together
    • Post lambing care
    • Drenching
    • Rearing orphan lambs
    • Lambing records
    • Managing the fattening lamb
    • Feeding
    • Lamb marking
  7. Wool
    • Characteristics of wool
    • Types of wool
    • Wool classing
    • Wool processing
    • Factors influencing the estimation of yield
    • Piece Picking
    • Wool Scouring
    • Carding
  8. The Marketing of Sheep and Sheep Products
    • Wool sales
    • Sale by private treaty
    • The auction system
    • Wool futures
    • Industry regulatory and marketing authorities
    • Lamb and mutton marketing: Paddock sale, Saleyard auction, Over-the-hook sale
    • Electronic Marketing, Live Sheep exports, Forward price contracts
    • Factors affecting the value of lamb or mutton: Carcass weight, Skin value, Payment basis (hot or cold weight) etc

Each lesson culminates in an assignment which is submitted to the school, marked by the school's tutors and returned to you with any relevant suggestions, comments, and if necessary, extra reading.

Aims:

  • Select appropriate breeds of sheep for different purposes.
  • Select sheep to be used for different production purposes.
  • Explain the techniques used in sheep commercial breeding.
  • Explain the procedures used in managing the health of sheep (Nutrition)
  • Explain the procedures used in managing the health of sheep (Diseases)
  • Explain the techniques used in the management of a commercial flock of sheep.
  • To describe practices related to caring for lambs.
  • Explain the processes involved in handling wool after shearing.
  • Explain the techniques used in managing the marketing of sheep and sheep products.

For more information on this course, please request your free course information pack.

Finance options

If you are an Irish citizen you may be eligible to receive financial support, meaning you can defer payment of your course fees. Additionally, if you are a resident of Ireland, you may also be eligible to receive a student grant under the Student Grant Scheme

Student support

We live in a society where the pressures of daily living are high with financial expenses, personal and work commitments, and mortgage and rental obligations. Then there are the unexpected life challenges that also get thrown our way. With this in mind the thought of taking on study can be daunting for most people. Here at Learning Cloud we understand that life doesn’t run in a straight line it has many ups and downs.

As an enrolled student at Learning Cloud, you are entitled to access a variety of non-academic support services from the Student Services Unit. These supports are designed to walk beside you throughout your studies they will assist you in life’s ups and downs to provide you the best opportunity to successfully complete your chosen course.

STUDENT SERVICES PROGRAMS INCLUDE:

  • Careers Counselling Service
  • General Counselling Service
  • Disability Liaison Service
  • Retention & Engagement Service
  • Student Activities
  • Accommodation
  • E Counselling
  • Your-Tutor
  • Parent support
  • Reasonable Adjustment Plan (RAP)

Call our student support today on 041 214 0000 or Email Faculty

Get more information

Want more information about financial and student support? Fill out the enquiry form to the right and a study consultant will contact you with the details you need.

How will this course advance my career?

Learning Cloud programs have been developed in response to industry demand and are specifically designed to equip graduates with work-ready skills. Each participant will be trained and assessed in theory and in practical tasks and Real-world exercises are used throughout the program.

Studies prove, time and again, that college-educated workers earn more than those with only a high school qualification. College graduates often enjoy additional benefits, including greater job opportunities and promotions. Though the proof for greater earning potential exists, some might wonder whether the cost of the education warrants the overall expense in the long run.

College Graduate vs. Non-Graduate Earnings

The National Centre for Education Statistics (NCES) analyses employee earnings data biennially, according to education level. Findings indicate that workers with a qualification earn significantly more than those without. Since the mid-1980s, education has played a large part in potential wages, with bachelor's degree holders taking home an average of 66% more than those with only a high school diploma do. While college-educated workers' wages have increased over the past two decades, those with only a high school education have seen decreases in annual salaries in the same time period (nces.ed.gov).

How else will I benefit from studying with Learning Cloud?

  • Studying online or distance means you can study where you want and at your own pace.
  • Receive career-focused training with practical, hands-on learning.
  • All course materials are provided and all digital platforms are interactive, work on any device and designed to be fun.
  • Recognition of Prior Learning or Skills Recognition may be available for previous work experience, formal training or qualifications in this field.

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