Lambing Clinic
update:  this event is now full

March 20, 2021   9 am to 5 pm

Pack years of lambing experience into one day with small ruminant veterinarian Dr. Jackie Rapp, a panel of shepherds, and a barnful of lambs. The morning session will cover Pre-Lambing Management, Normal Birthing Process, Deciding Whether to Call the Vet, Top Ten Tips for saving lambs, and a necropsy to determine “Why Did This Lamb Die?” Then we’ll head to the barn to demonstrate management practices such as ear-tagging, tube feeding, tail docking, nursing difficulties, and other common problems. Even more important, we’ll show you how to recognize the behavior of healthy newborns who don’t need your help. We will be in the middle of lambing 150 ewes at the time of the workshop, creating ample opportunity for observation and case studies.  Everyone receives a Lambing Supplies list.  Bring a covered dish for potluck lunch.

Group size limited so everyone gets hands-on practice. 
Program fee $85 per person. Teens welcome! 
Kids under 12 free, but it might be a cold, boring day for them 


Meet the Guest Shepherds

Dr. Jackie Rapp
Susquehanna Valley Vet
Paxinos, PA
We count ourselves very fortunate to have Dr. Rapp nearby. She not only specializes in small ruminants, but she and her husband have raised and shown sheep for years. She  runs her own practice in Paxinos, Pennsylvania.  Born and raised in Danville, she was active in FFA and 4H . She graduated from Penn State in 1995 and the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School in 1999. Dr. Rapp worked for Sunbury Animal Hospital for ten years before branching out on her own in 2008. In addition to sheep, she works on horses, cattle, alpacas and deer.

Jan Motter
Lane's End Farm
Jersey Shore, PA

Jerry McCarty
Columbia Co. 4H Leader


Jerry was raised on a sheep farm in Columbia County, which ran up to 300 head of breeding ewes. He currently has about 35 brood ewes, mostly Suffolk and Tunis, with Hampshires for crossbreeding. Because most of his lambs are sold as 4-H projects, he lambs in January-February to get an early start for the show ring. He also sells breeding stock. Jerry has been a 4-H leader for the Columbia County livestock club for over 20 years, and was recogized at the 2019 PA Farm Show for his outstanding contributions to the industry. 

LONG DRIVE?  RENT OUR GUESTHOUSE