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Copenhaver Sheep Center

The Copenhaver Sheep Center barn with sheep in the field on a pleasant day with blue skies and autumn foliage.

The Copenhaver Sheep Center plays a vital role in the teaching, research, and outreach missions of the School of Animal Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.  

The Virginia Tech lambing season spans from September through April are conducive to the large number of classes and students that the center serves. Students in both the Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences as well as Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine are extensive users of the facilities and sheep, gaining valuable hands-on livestock experience as well as production management training through a wide range of courses. Additionally, the center hosts several Extension workshops, youth events, and industry activities annually.

Current research efforts at the center are focused on the genetics of out-of-season breeding, evaluation of hair sheep, parasite resistance, and ultrasonic evaluation of body composition.  Learn more...

Flocks

The Copenhaver Sheep Center is home to three flocks of sheep - registerd Suffolks and Dorsets, and a flock of hair sheep. These breeds and their crosses are representative of the sheep industry in the Commonwealth, and compliment each other for addressing the teaching, research, and extension missions of the Center.

Production Sale

Each year, the Copenhaver Sheep Center hosts a production sale in early September. Learn more about the Annual Copenhaver Production Sale below.

Snapshot image of the VT Copenhaver Sheep Center sign. Orange letters on maroon background.

Copenhaver Sheep Center


School of Animal Sciences
Virginia Tech
Blacksburg , VA 24061
Sheep barn: (540) 231-6988  
Campus:  (540) 231-9159

Directions  

  • I-81 to Exit 118 B
  • Rt. 460 W bypass
  • From Rt. 460 bypass take Prices Fork Exit
  • Turn left on Plantation Road

Contact

 

Related Article

  • General Item
    Black-face sheep looking at camera.
    Meet Copenhaver Sheep Center

    VCE article authored by Laura Siegle, former Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension Agent, Virginia Cooperative Extension. Reprinted with permission.