Northern New York sheep producers can sign up for an Oct. 7-8 road trip to visit two large commercial sheep operations.

Cornell Cooperative Extension has organized the travel to Kyle Farms in Avon, south of Rochester, and Leach Farms in Martville, near Oswego.

On this trip sheep producers can get answers to such questions as How do you manage 2,200 sheep and a schedule that includes lambing every four months? and Can you be profitable lambing a flock of 850 sheep once a year?

With 2,200 Dorset ewes, Matt and Nate Kyle are lambing every four months. The sheep are housed in large, curtained barns similar to dairy freestall housing with a drive-through feed alley. Ewes without lambs spend their days outside. The Kyles manage the flock on pasture with nine guardian dogs.

In Martville, James R. Leach raises approximately 850 hair sheep on a rotational grazing system and uses guardian dogs. His ewes lamb once a year.

Tour organizer Betsy Hodge of Cornell Cooperative Extension of St. Lawrence County says, “Visiting these large commercial operations will open the eyes of sheep producers to the possibilities available in the sheep industry. Both of the sheep operations use innovative ideas that can be applied to all size operations."

The tour costs $30 for transportation. For details on meals and lodging, contact St. Lawrence County Cooperative Extension at 379-9192.