32nd annual lamb bonanza merges basketball with ag celebration

By Scout Nelson

South Dakota State University (SDSU) is gearing up for the 32nd Annual Lamb Bonanza, an event showcasing the significant contributions of the lamb and wool industry in South Dakota. The event, scheduled for January 13, 2024, promises an exciting blend of sports and agriculture at the SDSU Frost Arena in Brookings.

The Lamb Bonanza is set to coincide with a thrilling basketball game starting at 2 p.m., where SDSU will face off against the University of Denver. Before the game, from 1 to 2 p.m., members of the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association will be serving delicious leg of lamb sliders and lamb spread crackers, offering a taste of South Dakota's finest lamb.

A highlight of the event will be a halftime auction featuring six unique lamb pelts, including four adorned with “SDSU” letters and two featuring Jackrabbit designs. The proceeds from this auction will directly benefit undergraduate scholarships in the animal science and athletic departments at SDSU.

In addition to the game-day festivities, SDSU Signature Wool products will be available to order. These include scarves, stadium throw blankets, and queen-sized trapper blankets, all crafted from 100% South Dakota-grown wool. These machine-washable items can be ordered at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum in Brookings, with proceeds supporting scholarships for students in animal science and apparel merchandising.

Kelly Froehlich, assistant professor and SDSU Extension Sheep and Goat Specialist, notes, “Lamb Bonanza is a fun day to promote lamb and wool at the SDSU basketball game and meet the producers who work hard every day to provide premier lamb in South Dakota.”

The Lamb Bonanza, sponsored by the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association, SDSU Animal Science Department, and SDSU Athletic Department, is a celebration of SDSU basketball and a unique opportunity to learn about the local agriculture industry, with interested parties contacting Assistant Professor Kelly Froehlich for more information or to purchase a pelt.

Photo Credit: south-dakota-state-university