Lambing season returns to Penn State

Springtime brings new friends to Penn State Sheep Center

A black lamb pokes its head around a wooden gate — As spring approaches at Penn State, lambing season is underway at the Penn State Sheep Center, part of the Department of Animal Sciences. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

March 19, 2026

A woman shows a small lamb to other people — Lambing season at the Penn State Sheep Center provides an opportunity for hands-on, engaged learning for students as they provide care for new members of the flock. Ten students live in the dorms at the center's facilities and are a vital part of the daily operations with the herd and flock. Credit: Michael Houtz, Penn State College of Agricultural Science / Penn State. Creative Commons

A lamb looks at the camera over the backs of other lambs — The Penn State Sheep Center, part of the Department of Animal Science, serves as an important teaching tool providing hands-on experience with breeding, feeding, day-to-day care and overall herd management. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A lamb stands up and looks directly at the camera — Animal and dairy sciences have been an active part of Penn State's educational mission since 1887. The department offers programs ranging from education and outreach to research across various aspects of animal agriculture. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A black lamb pokes its head around a wooden gate — Both the newborn lambs and the mature ewes are cared for by Penn State staff and students. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A lamb stands beside its resting mother — Ewes and lambs graze and socialize together at the Penn State Sheep Center during lambing season. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A lamb lies down in the hay — In addition to the facilities housing the sheep and their lambs, the Penn State Beef and Sheep Center has a livestock arena/classroom that houses hands-on courses taught at the University. It also hosts extension programs, field days, State 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging Contests, and the Angus Purebred Production sales. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A collection of three lambs gather together near their mother — The flock consists of 75 mature ewes, which are cared for at the Sheep Center and the adjoining Dill Farm. Half the flock is Dorset and half are black-faced crossbred ewes. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A sheep checks on two small lambs — In addition to its indoor facilities, the center is home to 300 acres available for the herd and flock to graze during parts of the year. Credit: Michael Houtz, Penn State College of Agricultural Science / Penn State. Creative Commons

A woman shows a small lamb to other people — Lambing season at the Penn State Sheep Center provides an opportunity for hands-on, engaged learning for students as they provide care for new members of the flock. Ten students live in the dorms at the center's facilities and are a vital part of the daily operations with the herd and flock. Credit: Michael Houtz, Penn State College of Agricultural Science / Penn State. Creative Commons

A lamb looks at the camera over the backs of other lambs — The Penn State Sheep Center, part of the Department of Animal Science, serves as an important teaching tool providing hands-on experience with breeding, feeding, day-to-day care and overall herd management. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A lamb stands up and looks directly at the camera — Animal and dairy sciences have been an active part of Penn State's educational mission since 1887. The department offers programs ranging from education and outreach to research across various aspects of animal agriculture. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A black lamb pokes its head around a wooden gate — Both the newborn lambs and the mature ewes are cared for by Penn State staff and students. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A lamb stands beside its resting mother — Ewes and lambs graze and socialize together at the Penn State Sheep Center during lambing season. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A lamb lies down in the hay — In addition to the facilities housing the sheep and their lambs, the Penn State Beef and Sheep Center has a livestock arena/classroom that houses hands-on courses taught at the University. It also hosts extension programs, field days, State 4-H and FFA Livestock Judging Contests, and the Angus Purebred Production sales. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A collection of three lambs gather together near their mother — The flock consists of 75 mature ewes, which are cared for at the Sheep Center and the adjoining Dill Farm. Half the flock is Dorset and half are black-faced crossbred ewes. Credit: Patrick Mansell. All Rights Reserved.

A sheep checks on two small lambs — In addition to its indoor facilities, the center is home to 300 acres available for the herd and flock to graze during parts of the year. Credit: Michael Houtz, Penn State College of Agricultural Science / Penn State. Creative Commons

Last Updated March 20, 2026

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