About
The University of Idaho Sheep Center consists of about 126 acres. Approximately 200 Suffolks, Targhees and Polypays make up the breeding ewe flock. Lambing generally starts at the end of March and in late October.
All breeding animals are genotyped at scrapie codons 171 and 136. In addition, the flock is tested regularly for ovine progressive pneumonia virus (OPP).
Facilities include:
- Lambing barn
- Intensive-care barn
- Nine paddocks
- Barn for sorting, weighing, dipping and other activities
- Residence for farm manager
The U of I Sheep Center is located at 950 Farm Road, 1/2 mile north of campus.
Laidlaw Panama Foundation
The Panama breed of sheep is one of only two recognized breeds of sheep developed in the United States by private sheep breeders. The Panama, founded by James Laidlaw of Muldoon, Idaho, was created to serve the needs for a rugged, hardy range sheep capable of grazing in high-altitude, mountainous terrain.
In 1988, in memory of James, Frederick M., and James A. “Sandy” Laidlaw, the Laidlaw family established the Laidlaw Panama Sheep Endowment at the University of Idaho. Although the university has no Panamas among its herds at this time, the endowment continues to support teaching and research focused on sheep.
A term paper submitted by Clark R. Torell while he was a student at the University of Idaho in 1952 describes the history of the Laidlaw family and the Panama sheep breed.
Contact Dino Vinci at dvinci@uidaho.edu for tours and more information.
