Agricultural Sciences

Penn State Extension hosts Sheep Scanning Certification School

The school is a great opportunity for technicians to learn methods to scan sheep to measure carcass characteristics in breeding stock. Producers will also learn how to submit data to the National Sheep Improvement Program.  Credit: Penn StateCreative Commons

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — Penn State Extension will host Sheep Scanning Certification School, April 23-25 at Penn State's University Park campus, to train ultrasound technicians to measure carcass characteristics, which can help sheep producers select superior genetics to improve their flock.         

Livestock producers often are looking for qualified technicians to measure carcass characteristics in their breeding stock, according to Melanie Barkley, senior extension educator who is coordinating school. This information now can be collected accurately using ultrasound technology.

“The school is a great opportunity for technicians to learn methods to scan sheep to collect loin-eye area, loin-eye depth, back fat and body-wall thickness," she said. "Producers will also learn how to submit this data to the National Sheep Improvement Program."            

The cost of the school is $200, which includes lunch and refreshments for all three days plus educational materials. Registration is required by April 15.

The school, which runs from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, will be held at the Penn State Meats Lab the morning of April 23 and at the Penn State Beef and Sheep Center for the remainder of the time. Participants are asked to bring their own ultrasound unit. A limited supply of units will be available to share on a first-come, first-served basis.

Individuals can register online on the website or by calling 877-345-0691. The workshop is sponsored by Penn State Extension and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Sheep Industry Improvement Center. 

For more information, contact Barkley at the Penn State Extension office in Bedford County at 814-623-4800 or meh7@psu.edu.

Last Updated March 12, 2019

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