Celebrate sheep farming at SDSU arena

By Scout Nelson

Join the excitement at the 33rd annual Lamb Bonanza at South Dakota State University, a unique event blending athletics with agriculture. Scheduled for January 11, 2025, at the First Bank & Trust Arena, this tradition celebrates the vital sheep and wool industry of South Dakota while cheering on the SDSU Jackrabbits women’s basketball team as they face the University of Missouri-Kansas City Roos.

The festivities kick off at 1 PM, an hour before the game, with delicious leg lamb slides served by members of the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association. As the game progresses, attendees can look forward to a special halftime show featuring an auction of four unique lamb pelts.

These include two pelts adorned with "SDSU" letters and two with Jackrabbits motifs, with all proceeds going towards scholarships in the animal science and athletics departments.

In addition to the game-day activities, SDSU Signature Wool products will be available for order at the South Dakota Agricultural Heritage Museum located in Brookings.

This merchandise, including scarves, stadium throw blankets, and queen-sized trapper blankets, is crafted from 100% South Dakota-grown wool, offering both comfort and a touch of local pride. Proceeds from these sales further benefit scholarships for students in animal science and apparel merchandising programs.

John Jaeger, the Calvin and Mary Hayenga Endowed Department Head of Animal Science at SDSU, remarked on the importance of the event: “Lamb Bonanza is a great tradition at SDSU, providing a fun event for the university and its partners in production agriculture to tell the important story of lamb and wool.”

This event not only highlights the industry’s significance but also serves as a platform to appreciate the hardworking producers dedicated to providing top-quality lamb in the region.

Supported by the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association, the SDSU Department of Animal Science, and Jackrabbits Athletics, the Lamb Bonanza stands as a testament to the strong ties between SDSU and the agricultural community, fostering a better understanding and appreciation of the sheep industry among students and spectators alike.

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