Sutherlin FFA members ultrasound a ewe.

Raising a sheep as part of the Sutherlin FFA Chapter in Oregon isn’t just an extracurricular activity; it’s a core piece of the advanced animal science coursework. The program equips students with skills that are essential in the agriculture and veterinary worlds. 

Due to Sutherlin being a primarily suburban area, many students do not have any experience with livestock prior to joining FFA. The sheep program enables members to feel comfortable raising and caring for animals. They also learn numerous technical skills such as CIDR implanting, ultrasounding, blood draws and giving vaccinations.  

There are currently 15 program breeding ewes who are at Sutherlin High School. The process starts in June, where the sheep are either live covered or artificially inseminated.

From September to October, students gain experience through learning how to draw blood for pregnancy testing and taking ultrasounds. These skills introduce members to real-life scenarios that can be found in veterinarian work or when raising an animal independently. 

The ewes start to lamb in early November, and from there it is up to the animal science class to take care of the sheep. Students learn how to feed on their own, as well as recognize the signs that lead to illness or lambing. They clean stalls, dock tails, give vaccines and even pull lambs.

Students learn how to administer vaccines.

For some Sutherlin FFA members, like Addi Cross, this responsibility stretched beyond school hours. “Another student and I went to feed over the weekend, and when we walked in there was a ewe in labor,” Cross says. 

She had previous experience pulling lambs, and she was able to use her skills to ensure the sheep were healthy. “The ewe had twins on her own, and we were there to clean the amniotic sac off their faces, making sure the lambs could breathe,” Cross adds.

Cross had to assist with another ewe who started lambing only a few minutes later, but the process went smoothly. “By the time she had lambed, our advisor showed up to make sure everything was okay, but the ewes and lambs were doing great,” she says. 

Cross’s skills and experience helped her stay calm in a stressful situation. FFA members continue to gain experience throughout the school year by raising and caring for the sheep. 

Sutherlin students Addi Cross and Reece Sandberg holding a newborn lamb.

Once the sheep are old enough, some are kept for breeding and will stay with Sutherlin FFA, while others become show sheep. Sutherlin FFA members have the opportunity to show them at the Douglas County Lamb Show in June, creating a full-circle moment that began a year prior.

Members who had no previous livestock experience now have helped raise sheep, performed medical skills and may have shown an animal. The program also enables students to take on leadership positions and work independently. 

“Raising the sheep teaches kids how to lead, have responsibility and care for animals,” Cross says.