In the lambing business timing is everything. Knowing what must be done during the very intense lambing season often dictates the entire year's profitability.

The eleventh annual University of Kentucky winter lambing school will provide new and veteran sheep producers with the essential skills needed to get them through the critical phases of a ewe's late gestation, the lambing period and early lactation.

This year's school is set for January 27 at the Coldstream Sheep Farm Unit, near Lexington. The sessions will begin at 8:30 a.m. and the same sessions will be repeated starting at 12:30 p.m. eastern standard time.

"If we can keep lambs healthy through the first three days of life, their chances of reaching the market are dramatically improved," said Monty Chappell, Extension animal scientist with the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture. Unfortunately, the lambing season usually occurs during the stressful weather of late winter and early spring.

"Providing such things as good quality feed for the ewe, prompt assistance at lambing, and the right amount of a mother's milk heat for the new born lambs are a few of the steps that provide the needed edge for a successful lambing season," said Chappell.

While preregistration for the school is helpful, it is not required. Participants should dress appropriately for weather conditions, and in a manner consistent with good sanitation practices.

This year's instructors will include Dr. Don Ely, animal science professor with the UK College of Agriculture and Winston Deweese, farm shepherd for the UK Coldstream farm. For more information about the lambing school and registration materials, call the lambing school instructors at the University of Kentucky at (606) 257-7508.