Updates on the Illinois Scrapie program, animal identification, and producing lambs for ethnic markets will be on the agenda of University of Illinois Extension's 2006 Shepherds' Clinic program. The clinic will be offered Jan. 9 and 23 over the Telenet system.

"The Jan. 23 program will be geared toward people who are thinking about entering the sheep business or are new to it," said Dick Cobb, U of I Extension sheep specialist. "A roundtable discussion will take place about what to expect and where to look for information concerning development of facilities as well as the selection of animals for various systems of raising sheep.

"While this is geared toward new producers, all sheep people are invited to attend."

The Jan. 9 program will feature an update on the Illinois Scrapie program by Rick Jones, the state's epidemiologist and a discussion of the National Livestock Identification Program. Cobb will talk about ethnic lamb production and how it can benefit Illinois producers.