Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association, Inc.

OUR MISSION

Our mission is to promote and encourage keeping sheep in Connecticut. The CSBA was formed in 1893, and we have been supporting Connecticut shepherds since that time by educating sheep farmers about issues relevant to raising lamb and wool, and facilitating marketing opportunities.

Volunteers Wanted

We could still use some volunteers for the upcoming 110th CT Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival.  Please email csbafestivalvendors@gmail.com if you have some time to donate on April 27th.

Speaking of volunteers....If you are looking for information about an event we are hosting or project that we sponsor PLEASE READ the appropriate pages before just calling or emailing someone with your question.  All of us on the Board and the various Committees have jobs (and flocks of sheep to tend to) and some of us can't answer the phone or do email at work.  Last year Natalie and I tallied it up and for over 75% of the questions we received the answer was here on the website.  This year is about the same and we're still a month and a half before Festival.

Thank you!

Blue Ribbon Forum & 4-H Sheep Program

The Blue Ribbon Forum flyer is up on the Producer Education Page as well as the schedule for the 4-H Sheep Program

Helping Those Winter Lambs

March 2nd - Well it looks like March is coming in like a lion.  Snow today and again on Sunday/Monday.  If you are lambing now have places out of the wind for those new lambs to drop.  A little blanket for lambs isn't a bad idea and is a much safer alternative to heat lamps.  The best blankets are made of wool and you can grab old sweaters and blankets from the 2nd hand shops like Goodwill or consignment stores.  I use old blankets and cut a rectangle, add a slit for each leg parallel to the lower edge and it's a custom blanket.  Wool is warm even if wet and it will smell like the lamb so less chance of a ewe not liking it.  Sweaters are also easy as you can get two quick ones just using the sleeves.  Cuff goes over the head, slits for the legs and cut out or slice the bottom for ram lambs.  You can make them as you go with just a pair of scissors and with woven fabric you can wait until after the lamb is done with it to stitch the edges. Make sure the lambs get a good drink of colostrum and watch for signs of hypothermia.  A healthy lamb will stretch when it gets up.  As for the rest of the flock make sure they have water and give them some extra hay to eat as rumination creates body heat for them. 

Don't forget to renew your membership 

The fillable form is available on the Membership page.  Before you know it Blue Ribbon will be here, shearing season and then Connecticut Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival!



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We are now on Twitter and Instagram!
Instagram - CTSheepBreedersAssoc   @ctsheepbreedersassoc
Twitter - CT Sheep Breeders Assoc - @ctsheepbreeders  and  #ctsheepandwool2018

Upcoming Events 

Blue Ribbon Forum
&
4H Sheep Program
Saturday, March 30, 2019
UCONN Storrs Campus
Ratcliffe Hicks Arena
Registration starts at 9am
 
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110th
Connecticut
Sheep, Wool & Fiber Festival
Saturday, April 27, 2019
9 am - 4 pm
Rain or Shine
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 Fall Sheep Shearing School
 October 2019
UCONN

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Cornell Sheep Program 
View their full calendar of events
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