Sheep Farming: Breeding, Husbandry and Flock Management
This course covers what you will need to keep sheep: choose the right breed, manage their nutritional needs, their day to day care, and their health.
A course aimed at farmers,hobby farmers or those wanting to own just one sheep to keep down their grass.
What this course covers
There are eight lessons in this module.
1. Introduction; Terminology and Breeds
2. Selection and Breeding
3. Nutrition of Sheep
4. Diseases of Sheep
5. General Management of a Commercial Flock
6. Care of the Lamb
7. Wool
8. The Marketing of Sheep and Sheep Products
Workload
Study when, where and however much you want. For most students, the course can be completed with a total of around 100 hours of study; and a commitment close to that may be needed to achieve desired learning outcomes.
Extra Reading
The following books, available through this web site are relevant supplementary reading for this course
- Animal Health
- Working with Animals
Assessment
Self Assessment Tests are presented throughout the course. These are essentially an automated quiz. When you undertake a "SAT" or "Self Assessment Test", you will be able to see what you got correct, and what was incorrect; and in that way, you can identify your weaknesses.
Assignments are given at the end of each lesson. You should complete this assignment, paying careful attention to follow what is asked of you. It can be just as important to learn to work to specification, as it is to learn about the topic you are studying. Graduates who develop a habit of working to specification in the field of sheep husbandry, will impress employers, and will be more efficient when self employed.
A Final Exam is offered upon satisfactory completion of all assignments. This is optional. If you choose to apply for and do this exam, you will have the possibility of obtaining a "formal credit" or "Pass Certification" for this course. A fee applies. The exam may be sat under prearranged conditions anywhere in the world. This college will award you a formal transcript, upon successful completion of the exam, as proof of your results.
Recognition and Ethics
This college is a member of the ACS Affiliates Network; a group of colleges from several countries, affiliated with each other through ACS Distance Education.. Courses are developed with input from all of these colleges, aspiring to reflect internationally accepted standards and needs.
A strict "No Plagiarism" and "No fraud" policy exists. Assignments are checked for plagiarism, and assignments will not be deemed to have been completed, if work is not your own original creation, and is found to have been copied from elsewhere. If the person doing the course is discovered to be different to the name enrolled, the enrolment and any results will be recorded as invalid and any fees paid will be forfeited.
Refund Policy
A full refund less expenses (up to 15% of fees applied) is provided to anyone wishing to withdraw from a course, within 2 weeks of enrolment. This does not apply after the first assignment has been submitted and marked; or after the two weeks has expired.
WHAT IS DIFFERENT ABOUT THIS INSTITUTION?
We believe that we have an ethical responsibility to make good use of the fees you pay and the time you invest into an education through our college. To this end, our first priority is always your learning. This comes before issues such as formal accreditations, speculative marketing and bureaucratic processes which all too often add considerable costs to the running of colleges, and take resources away from the provision of more valuable services to the student.
This college focuses on facilitating your learning and support to optimise that learning. We recognise that learning is all about improving knowledge and skills in your long term memory. While some colleges may focus on getting you to pass exams, by committing knowledge to short term memory; we understand that such an approach is not true education, and does little to improve your long term career or business prospects.
Sheep owner or farmer – Do you really have what it takes?
As a farmer, employee or small sheep herd (hobby farm) owner you will need to be physically and emotionally strong. Farming is not easy. You will be able to rise early and work long hours at busy times during the herd management schedule, for example, during lambing or worming. You will need to make tough decisions as sometimes animals need to be slaughtered – sometimes this is the humane action to carry out when is an animal is sick to the point that even the best human intentions cannot control.
Then there are of course the highlights of farming. Seeing your herd improve in health and condition is rewarding. Seeing new life leap and hop around the paddocks in spring is heart-warming. The highlights of farming make the hard times worth it.
Sheep are incredibly gentle creatures. The most courageous in a herd will stand up to herding dogs and stamp their feet, recklessly protecting their young. Sheep, albeit flighty and nervous for the most part, can be tamed and even make great pets in the hands of responsible owners.
How Could This Course Help You?
It will help you gain an understanding of sheep breeds, their nutritional requirements and health problems. Whether you are a farmer, a hobby farmer or keep a sheep in your back yard - this course will help extend your knowledge and understand the basic of keeping these animals.