A Sign of Spring at BAÜN Experimental Farm: Lambs Reunite with Their Mothers Outdoors for the First Time
At the Balıkesir University Animal Husbandry Application and Research Farm, young lambs were brought out into the open air for the first time with their ewes as spring arrived. These moments, which provided a colourful spectacle, added a special vibrancy to the academic and practical training activities at the farm.
The Rector of Balıkesir University, Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu, accompanied by Vice-Rectors Prof. Dr. Cevdet Avcıkurt and Prof. Dr. Fatih Satıl, visited the farm and received information from the Director of the Animal Husbandry Application and Research Centre, Prof. Dr. Şükrü Metin Pancarcı, and the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Dr. Ziya İlhan.
During the visit, animal health, care procedures and production activities were examined on-site, whilst attention was drawn to the importance of the university’s practical training opportunities in ensuring students are equipped to become competent veterinary surgeons.
In his assessment, Rector Prof. Dr. Yücel Oğurlu noted that the Livestock Application and Research Centre Farm offers a significant opportunity for reinforcing theoretical knowledge in the field, stating: “Such infrastructure is of great importance for enhancing our students’ professional competence and developing their practical skills. “As a university, whilst training qualified and well-equipped veterinary surgeons, we continue to contribute to the region’s livestock sector,” he added. Rector Oğurlu also thanked the Centre Director, Prof. Dr. Şükrü Metin Pancarcı, the Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Prof. Dr. Ziya İlhan, and the farm staff for their efforts.
Rector Oğurlu also inspected other units on the farm.
Prof. Dr. Şükrü Metin Pancarcı, Director of the Animal Husbandry Application and Research Centre, also expressed his satisfaction with the visit, emphasising that the farm not only provides an important practical opportunity for students but also contributes to the region’s livestock sector through collaborations with producers and various associations. Pancarcı noted that the climate and environment of the Balıkesir region directly influence the flavour of the lamb meat and that the lambs grow more quickly. He added that 20–25-day-old lambs are first introduced to their mothers in the field, stating: “We separate our lambs from their mothers after they have suckled for about two months. At 4–5 months old, we send them to market as lamb meat, weighing 40–45 kg live weight. Lambing occurs every three months. We obtain lambs three times in two years from a single ewe.” Pancarcı added that, as part of practical training activities, students are working to improve their manual skills through basic medical procedures such as pregnancy examinations, blood sampling, and administering injections, whilst also providing research and practical opportunities for master’s and doctoral students within the Institute of Health Sciences.
