Wool Science 101
Friday 1pm-5pm $25

The ASI Wool Science 101 session will be a condensed version of the ASI Wool Handling and Certified Wool Classing schools – specifically designed for the specialty fleece grower. The session is designed to give producers, shearers and others information on wool growth and development, quality improvement and handling of wool. Topics covered during the program will include wool fiber growth and development, wool production, how nutrition affects wool, objective measurement of wool and genetic selection programs. Handouts for future reference. The information in this session will help give you a competitive edge in niche marketing.

United We Stand: Getting More for Your Wool Through Value-added Ventures
Saturday 9am-12pm Free

The American Wool Council, a division of ASI, goes beyond individual niche marketers and shares creative and innovative ideas for maximizing profits from your wool clip. Even a small group of farm flock producers has broader options. Bob will outline the challenges, available resources (including loans and grants), and share successful examples. In addition, the program will cover information on the USDA Wool Marketing Loan Program including details on how to fully participate in the program.

Objective Measurement of Wool
Saturday 1pm-4pm $2 per sample

Bob Padula will be testing wool samples from 1-4pm on Saturday afternoon for a fee of $2.00 per wool sample. Location TBA.

Objective Measurement of Wool
Sunday 9am-12pm Free

Hopefully you had your wool test done on Saturday afternoon! In this class you will learn what to do with the valuable information this test will give you, what it means and how can you use it in your sheep operation.

Bob Padula is a consultant to the American Wool Council on issues relating to wool quality improvement and raw wool marketing. He helped design and implement many of the American Sheep Industry Wool Quality Improvement programs. A sheep producer for over 33 years, Bob currently maintains flocks of sheep in West Central Minnesota. He is active in his state sheep association, the American Sheep Industry and serves as president of the US Targhee Sheep Association.