Three lambs were born at the Ozarks Technical Community College Richwood Valley Campus today, May 5. The sheep are part of the OTC Agriculture Program.
“We had one set of twins and one single born today. We have eight more ewes who could give birth at any time,” said Rob Flatness, agriculture instructor. “We were in class when the sheep were giving birth, and a person walking on the trail stopped by the agriculture building to tell us the lambs were making their debut.”
The 12 Katahdin sheep (10 ewes and two rams) arrived at Richwood Valley in September of 2020, along with five steers. All of the livestock was donated. OTC students have been involved in all of the day-to-day care of the sheep since their arrival, including daily feedings, veterinary care and hoof care.
Before August of 2019, the agriculture program was located at the OTC Springfield Campus. With the move to the rural setting at Richwood Valley, the OTC Agriculture Program has provided more enriching experiences for the students. The first-ever birth of baby animals by livestock belonging to the program is a significant milestone.
“Even the students who grew up on farms were eager to see these baby lambs,” Flatness said. “To see the excitement on their faces when we heard that the first lambs were arriving was just really cool.”
Since the initial donation of livestock, the agriculture program has added another cow for a total of six.
Access lamb photos here.
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- Darby the sheep dog meets his new buddies.
