Wisconsin Shepherd - Winter Issue 2016

THE

WisconsinShepherd Winter 2016

End of An Era: Spooner Flock To Go (see pages 3-4) A publication of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative

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The Wisconsin Shepherd is a quarterly publication of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative, a non-profit organization dedicated to the diverse interests of the Wisconsin sheep industry.

Inquiries about WSBC and address changes for WSBC and The Wisconsin Shepherd should be directed to Jill Alf, Executive Secretary-Treasurer, WSBC, 7811 Consolidated School Road, Edgerton, WI 53534; 608-868-2505 or wisbc@centurytel.net.

EDITOR Bob Black 920-623-3536 Advertising Manager Lynn Crooks 6742 State Road 35 & 81 Lancaster, WI 53813 608-723-6817 alcrooks@tds.net WSBC officers and directors: President Alan Thorson: Columbus 920 344-1235 Vi ce President Jeff Nevens: Lodi 608 592-7842 Debbie Petzel: Centuria 715 646-2640 Tim Miller: Beloit 608 751-2963 Brandon Knutson: Clinton 608 732-4955 Laura Meyer: Watertown 920 206-8445 Ryan Bingen: Allenton 262 339-9816 Sara Hildebrandt: Plainfield 715 340-4812 Maralyn Fowler: Cascade 920 528-8013 Keith Schultz: Ft. Atkinson 920-568-0895 Sue Rupnow: Wausau 715-675-6894

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President’s Message

Happy New Year from the WSBC! I hope everyone was able to find a few minutes to relax and enjoy time with family and friends over the holiday season. The warm weather that we experienced to end 2015 sure was a welcome reprieve from years past, but it didn’t take long in 2016 to see the mercury get down in the single digits to below zero. For those that lamb in early winter, that is usually when the ewes decide to go into labor!

Unfortunately, we learned in early January that UW will be dispersing the dairy sheep research flock housed at the Spooner Research Station in Spooner, WI. Although the number of producers who have dairy sheep may be small in comparison to those in other segments of the industry, losing an asset in the sheep industry is not an ideal situation and further strains all remaining resources. Tough decisions had to be made and continue to be made across all parts of the university system, and your board of directors is continuing to work with the UW to support and maintain sheep production, research, and extension outreach in the state of Wisconsin.

The next few months are busy ones for the Cooperative. The end of January we will be represented by Keith Schultz at the ASI convention in Scottsdale Arizona. January will find us doing our strategic planning and budgeting for the next year and we continue to work on planning for the 2016 Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival.

Don’t forget to our 2016 Annual Meeting in March following what will be a great morning session that is Arlington Sheep Days. Stay for the lunch and fellowship with other producers followed by our business meeting and recognition of some very deserving individuals in our industry. I look forward to seeing you in March and encourage all of you to get involved in Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative. It truly is a great organization!

Alan Thorson, WSBC President

Wild and Woolly Photo Contest Give us your best shots! The Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival and the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative remind you to start planning your sheep and wool photos to enter the annual photo contest! The contest is open to everyone, regardless of whether they raise sheep or are WSBC members.

A panel of judges will select the winning photos based on theme, clarity, content, composition and appeal. Each class winner will receive a cash or merchandise prize!

2016 Photo Contest Categories: Scenic Photo, Just Lambs, Kids and Sheep, Photo Taken by Youth (only for youths aged 18 and younger as of August 15), and Wisconsin Shepherd Cover Photo - (Photo taken in vertical/portrait format suitable for magazine cover. Note that the magazine title will overlay approximately the top two and a half inches of the cover. For a sample of past covers, please refer to the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op website, www.wisbc.com home page) Questions? Contact Debbie at 612-578-1528 or dspetzel@gmail.com. The Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival will be held September 8-11 at Jerfferson Fair Park, Jefferson, Wisconsin.

Cover Photo: “Wintry Bliss,” First Place winner in the Scenic Category, 2010 Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival Photo Contest, LeeAnne Richert, Cable, WI

UW-Madison Will End Spooner Dairy Sheep Program University of Wisconsin-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Madison - The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) at the University of Wisconsin-Madison plans to Sheep were added to the Spooner Agricultural Research Station in 1936. In 1982, after close its dairy sheep research a fire destroyed the original sheep barn, the new building seen here was constructed. program housed at the Spooner A milking parlor was added following the start of the Spooner Dairy Sheep Research Agricultural Research Station later and Outreach Program in the early 90s. Milk from the station’s dairy sheep is currently this year. Research on the flock sold to Carr Valley Cheese, though some is utilized by Babcock Dairy on the Madison will continue through this milking campus for specialty cheesemaking classes. season, before the sheep are dispersed in the fall.

Ongoing reductions in state support have made it impossible for the college to continue to cover the broad range of agricultural sectors in Wisconsin, says Richard Straub, CALS senior associate dean. With pending retirements and reduced resources, the Department of Animal Sciences will no longer be able to support faculty members specializing in all aspects of all species. The college will continue to support the research In 1952, a new sheep barn was completed of home-sawn sheep flock—studied for wool and meat production—housed lumber, replacing a dairy barn where the station’s flock at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station. had been originally housed. It was reported at the first “Although current resources do not allow us to serve the Spooner Sheep Day that except for $400 spent on skilled entire diversity of Wisconsin agriculture, we continue to strive tradesmen, station employees provided all the labor for to fulfill the Wisconsin Idea by sharing research expertise the barn’s construction. throughout the state to the best of our ability,” says Straub. “It is our hope that by making this difficult decision to reduce programming, we will be able to maintain a physical presence in the northwestern portion of the state.”

The college is not closing the Spooner station. Research, including agronomic crop field trials on the station land, will continue with a smaller staff. The display garden and community meeting room at the station will continue to be available to local Master Gardeners, residents and the general public.

This program consolida­ tion is expected to result in reduction of staff. The The dairy sheep research program at Spooner is college will work with the only program of its kind in North America and affect­ed individuals to try dairy sheep producers from across the continent to identify other appro­ look to the station for research results, outreach priate employ­ment oppor­ and breeding stock. In 2014 over 200 head of sheep tu­nities else­where in were sold to producers in ten states. The remaining the UW System or state flock of 300 dairy ewes will be dispersed sometime service. Established in in the fall of 2016.

1909, the Spooner Agri­ cultural Research Station includes 388 acres in The Spooner Sheep Day, begun in 1953, has Washburn County. The provided education for hundreds of producers station’s main building from across the upper Midwest over its sixty three provides office space for year history. Research projects of all kinds - from three UW Extension agents pasture studies to the introduction of the Targhee serving the surrounding breed - have been carried out at the station. communities.

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Spooner Had Major Impact on the State’s Sheep Industry Established 107 years ago, Babcock Dairy on the UWthe Spooner Agricultural Madison campus for specialty Research Station was the cheesemaking classes. first of the twelve University Other dairy sheep research of Wisconsin-Madison ag has looked at the impact research stations, growing to of grain supplementation its current 388 acres from the and protein utilization on eighty acres of land originally milk production as well donated to the university as the effects on lactation by the city of Spooner. Since performance at different its beginning, the station’s milking intervals. research has been diverse.

The Spooner Station was In 2014, UW-Madison among the founding members researchers conducted The first sheep introduced to the Spooner station were of the Wisconsin Sheep Dairy seventeen research projects Western white-faced ewes that were bred to Shropshire Cooperative and the Dairy on field crops, three focused rams. Early research focused on the economics of farm Sheep Association of North on fruit crops and six directed flocks and and over the years, Spooner Sheep Day America, which recently held programs continued to emphasize practical management, at livestock. its 21st annual symposium on Sheep were added to the housing and marketing of lamb and wool. the UW-Madison campus. station in 1936 to utilize excess forage following an outbreak But many sheep producers across Wisconsin and the of burbellosis that prompted the disposal of the 25-cow dairy upper Midwest are best familiar with the research station and herd. The early flock was based on Western white-faced ewes its flock through the Spooner Sheep Day. As reported in the bred to Shropshire rams and were eventually moved from September 1953 Wool News, “the first northern Wisconsin the old dairy barn to a new sheep barn constructed in 1952.

Sheep Field day” was held on September 1, drawing That building burned in 1982 after which the new facility producers from a dozen or more counties, some from as was constructed that currently houses the flock and milking far south as Grant and Richland. Among the speakers were parlor.

Professor Walter Rowlands who reported on the construction In 1954 the Targhee breed was introduced to Wisconsin of the new sheep barn, while Vern Felts spoke on “Selecting when the Spooner Station purchased two Targhee rams. Carl Ewes and the Ram,” and Art Pope demonstrated how to tag Rydberg was the station shepherd at the time, and during his tenure focused on the economics of sheep production ewes and trim wool from the eyes and how to trim hoofs for in Wisconsin. Four years after the two rams arrived, Targhee the breeding season. He later spoke about “A Sheep Program ewes were added as part of a regional project with Ohio and for Wisconsin.” The article closed with “We believe the Illinois. Eventually, excess ewes from Spooner were taken to attendance and interest shown warrants an annual Sheep the Arlington Agricultural Research Station, where shepherd Field Day at the Experiment Station Farm.”

Unfortunately, echoing similar cutbacks in small ruminant Jim Elphick developed the UW-Madison Targhee flock. programs across the country, and thanks to the ever-present The Spooner Dairy Sheep Research and Outreach Program budget axe in Madison, the UW-Madison’s longest-running was begun by Professor David Thomas (Department of agricultural field day in will close out 64 years of history in Animal Science at UW-Madison) and Yves Berger (emeritus August 2016.

Spooner station superintendent) in 1993. By April of 1996 the station was milking the first ewes in a double-twelve parlor and currently maintains a flock of approximately 300 References: breeding sheep. The program, still the only dairy sheep Sheep Field Day at Spooner Branch Station, Wool News, September 1953 research program in North America, imported the first dairy Background on the Spooner Agricultural Research Station, sheep genetics into the U.S. which were European breeds of College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, University of Lacaune and East Friesian. Since that time, the Spooner flock Wisconsin-Madison has provided breeding stock to dairy sheep producers across the United States, with over 200 head sold into ten states Early History of the Spooner Station and the Roll of the Station in Introduction of the Targhee Breed in Wisconsin, last year.

Rudy Erickson, UW-River Falls Farm Manager (retired) and Research on behalf of the dairy sheep industry has Sheep Producer, Wilson, WI. been prolific with recent projects focusing on the genetic improvement of dairy sheep and production of sheep milk for Dairy Sheep Production Research at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USA – A Review. David L. Thomas, processing into cheese. While the bulk of the milk produced Yves M. Berger, Brett C. McKusick, Claire M. Mikolayunas at the station is sold to Carr Valley Cheese, some goes to the

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Indianhead Shepherds Clinic February 6, 2016 WITC Conference Center, Rice Lake, WI “Finding the Profit in Your Flock” “Finding the Profit in Your Flock” is the theme of the 2016 Co-op. Wolf and O’Neil also operate the Sheep Improvement Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association annual Shepherds’ Company, well known for its Sire Max rams.

Clinic, which will be held Saturday, February 6 at the newly Deb Jones, owner of The Fiber Garden in Black River Falls, WI remodeled conference center of the Wisconsin Indianhead will lead a hands-on wool craft activity. Deb is an enthusiastic Technical College in Rice Lake, Wisconsin. Burton Pfliger, spinner, dyer, weaver, teacher and travel consultant. In President of the American Sheep Industry, will be the addition to teaching at and managing the Fiber Garden, Deb Keynote Speaker, bringing a “big picture” understanding of also teaches at fiber events throughout the region, including the U.S. sheep industry to the Sievers School of Fiber Arts program. Pfliger is a thirdand the Wisconsin Sheep and generation sheep rancher, 2016 Shepherds Clinic Registration Wool Festival. earning a Bachelor of Science University of WisconsinVisit our website for instructions Degree in Animal Science Madison forage specialist Dr. on how to pre-register online: from North Dakota State Dan Undersander will address https:/indianheadsheep.wordpress.com University in 1985. He and his forage production. His work wife Pattie run approximately Or follow the link below for online registration form focuses on the establishment, 400 ewes, which make up a (Courtesy of UW Extension) production, harvesting and purebred Hampshire flock, a https://docs.google.com/a/ces.uwex.edu/forms/ purebred Suffolk flock and a d/1HzBp3u7M3Hr_l8xmre16vRhGmBq0x06-s3fVBfD608U/ storage of forages in Wisconsin and his research program has flock of Rambouillet/Dorset viewform four major objectives that cross commercial ewes. The include: determining factors Hampshire and Suffolk flocks are used to produce range and terminal sires. Pfliger currently affecting alfalfa plant health and survival; best management leads the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) which for harvested forage – big bale wrapping, fermentation of is a federation of 46 state sheep associations representing silage; and optimum management practices for intensively sheep producers nationwide with a common goal to promote grazed pastures considering forage, yield, quality, and effect the well-being and profitability of the U.S. sheep industry. on wildlife.

The ISBA Shepherds’ Clinic has become one of the The program will also include Dr. Dave Thomas, professor largest and most prominent sheep educational events in the of Sheep Management and Genetics in the Department Midwest and will again feature an outstanding Youth Clinic, in of Animal Sciences at the UW-Madison. He obtained his addition to the educational sessions for both early-career and B.S. degree in Meat and Animal Science in 1971 from the experienced shepherds.

University of Wisconsin-Madison and graduate degrees from The educational program will also include Alan Culham, Oklahoma State University in Animal Breeding and Genetics Project Coordinator for the ASI “Grow Our Flock” program, in 1977. His research has involved many areas in sheep the mission of which is to support, promote and ensure breeding and management including an internationally the industry’s future through innovative and sustainable recognized research program in dairy sheep production initiatives and increasing productivity, profitability and that serves this growing industry in North America. He has growth in the production of lamb and wool. Prior to becoming published over 300 articles in both peer-reviewed scientific coordinator for “Grow Our Flock” program, Culham had been journals and popular sheep industry magazines. with Michigan State University in the department of animal The 2016 Youth Clinic will be lead by Bernie O’Rourke, science.

The daylong clinic will also include Cindy Wolf, DVM, Extension Youth Livestock Specialist at the University of assistant professor of Veterinary Medicine at the University Wisconsin-Madison Extension along with students from the of Minnesota, where she specializes in Small Ruminant Animal Science program at the University of Wisconsin-River Medicine and has become a strong advocate for the sheep Falls. O’Rourke provides leadership and support to statewide and goat community. Dr. Wolf and husband Kelley O’Neill livestock project areas (beef, sheep, swine and meat goats) own and operate a commercial sheep farm near Rushford, by sharing current research and practices with youth and MN. They utilize cattle and sheep to graze on the hills and adults engaged in 4-H, FFA and other youth organizations. in the valleys of their farm lambing on pasture in May and Her youth programming efforts are in the areas of agriculture June. Their lamb is direct marketed to the customer, sold at literacy and animal management, with primary leadership for the Winona Farmers Market or sold to Dakota Lamb Growers the Meat Animal Quality Assurance program.

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Arlington Sheep Day, Saturday, March 12 Madison - The 8th Annual Arlington Sheep Day will be held Saturday morning, March 12 at the Public Events Facility of the UW-Madison Arlington Agricultural Research Station, Arlington, WI. The morning program for adult producers will feature current and past students from the M.S. and Ph.D. graduate programs in sheep science at UW-Madison. Dr. Claire Sandrock received her Ph.D. in Animal Sciences working in the area of sheep nutrition, primarily in the area of protein utilization. She will discuss nutrition and supplementation strategies for highly productive ewes on pasture. Cody Hiemke completed the M.S. degree working on estimation of carcass composition of live lambs with ultrasound. He is now the Lamb Program Manager for Niman Ranch, a premium natural meats company. He will discuss the benefits to the sheep industry of the production of high-quality lambs. Tom Murphy is in the process of completing the Ph. D. degree in Animal Breeding and Genetics. He will be joined in his presentation by Todd Taylor, Arlington Sheep Unit Manager, to discuss the use of estimated breeding values to improve flock productivity.

Concurrent to the adult producer program in the morning will be a hands-on program for youth sheep project members and interested adults on evaluation of fleeces both on and off the sheep and some other sheep-related activities. The youth program will be organized and presented by Bernie O’Rourke, Extension Livestock Youth Specialist; Alissa Grenawalt, Extension Outreach Specialist; and Todd Taylor of the Department of Animal Sciences, UW-Madison. Attendance

forms will be available for all youth that attend this session in case your county approves this activity as a qualifying educational meeting for your sheep project Registration for the morning Arlington Sheep Day program is $5.00 per person or $10.00 per family and includes morning refreshments and materials. Advance registration is preferred and is available by mail, or persons can register the day of the event at the door for the same price.

The Arlington Sheep Day program will be followed at 12:30 p.m. by the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative (WSBC) banquet, Recognition Program, and Annual Meeting.

Both members and non-members of WSBC are welcome to attend both the banquet and recognition program. Advance registration by March 1 is required for the WSBC Recognition Banquet at a cost of $15.00 per person (youth 10 years and younger are $5.00 per person).

The complete schedule and registration form for both the Arlington Sheep Day and the WSBC banquet can be found at the UW-Madison Sheep and Goat website (http:// fyi.uwex.edu/wisheepandgoat/) and at the WSBC website (www.wisbc.com). For additional information, contact Dave Thomas, UW-Madison (dlthomas@wisc.edu, 608-263-4306) or Jill Alf, WSBC (wisbc@centurytel.net, 608-868-2505).

The Arlington Sheep Day is sponsored by the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative; Department of Animal Sciences, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison; and Cooperative Extension, University of Wisconsin-Extension.

Arlington Sheep Day is sponsored by the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences of the University of WisconsinMadison, Cooperative Extension of the University of Wisconsin-Extension, and the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative.

For more information on the 7th Annual Arlington Sheep Day, contact Todd Taylor (608-846-5858, toddtaylor@wisc. edu) or Dave Thomas (608-263-4306, dlthomas@wisc.edu).

For more information on the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative Annual Meeting & Recognition Banquet or membership to the WSBC, contact Jill Alf, Executive Secretary (608-868-2505, wisbc@centurytel.net)

Directions: The Public Events Facility is located east of Interstate Hwy 90 and west of State Hwy 51 approximately 14 miles north of the east side of Madison, WI.

Public Events Facility Arlington Agricultural Research Station N695 Hopkins Rd. Arlington, WI 53911

Arriving from the south on I 90: Exit at DeForest (Hwy V).

Go left (west) on Hwy V over I 90. Take first right (north) onto Hwy I. Go north on Hwy I approximately 4 miles to Hwy K. Turn right (east) onto Hwy K. Go approximately 2 miles on Hwy K and turn right (south) onto Hopkins Rd. Go approximately ½ mile to Public Events Building.

Arriving from the north on I 90: Exit at Arlington (Hwy 60). Go right (east) on Hwy 60 approximately 3.5 miles. On the west side of Arlington, turn right (south) on Hwy I and go approximately 2 miles to Hwy K. Turn left (east) onto Hwy K. Go approximately 2 miles on Hwy K and turn right (south) onto Hopkins Rd. Go approximately ½ mile to Public Events Building.

www.facebook.com/WisconsinSheep

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8TH ANNUAL ARLINGTON SHEEP DAY and WISCONSIN SHEEP BREEDERS COOPERATIVE

2016 BANQUET, RECOGNITION PROGRAM & ANNUAL MEETING Saturday, March 12, 2016 Public Events Facility, Arlington Agricultural Research Station 9:00 a.m. Registration - Public Events Facility 9:30 Welcome Public Events Facility

Sheep Unit

9:45 Nutrition and Supplementation of Productive Ewes on Pasture – 9:45 Hands-on program for youth and interested producers at the Dr. Claire Sandrock, Former Sheep and Goat Extension Specialist, Arlington Sheep Unit UW-Madison and current Program Manager, Center for Special Children, Vernon Memorial Healthcare, LaFarge, WI Evaluation of Fleeces on and off the 10:30 The Benefits to the Sheep Industry from the Production of Sheep and other sheep activities Quality Lambs – Cody Hiemke, Lamb Program Manager, Niman Bernie O’Rourke, Extension Livestock Ranch, Stoughton, WI Youth Specialist; Alissa Grenawalt, Extension Outreach Specialist; and 11:15 Break Todd Taylor, Arlington Sheep Unit 11:30 Use of Estimated Breeding Values to Improve Flock Productivity Manager; Department of Animal – Tom Murphy, Ph.D. Graduate Student and Todd Taylor, Sciences, UW-Madison, Madison Arlington Sheep Unit Manager; Department of Animal Sciences, and Arlington, WI UW-Madison, Madison and Arlington, WI Noon Return to Public Events Facility 12:15 p.m. Adjourn morning program 12:30 - Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative Banquet 1:30 - Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative, 2016 Recognition Program & Annual Meeting

REGISTRATION (One form for each individual or family. Please list all information if purchasing a WSBC membership) Sheep Day Attendance Name(s): ___________________________________________________________________________ Address:________________________________________ City_________________________State_______ Zip: ____________ Phone:__________________________________________ Email: ________________________________________________ WSBC Membership Name:__________________________ Farm Name:____________________________________________ Website Address:_________________________________ Breed(s) of Sheep Raised:_________________________________ Registration Fees

Cost

(Registration available at the door only for the morning educational programs)

Morning Educational Programs – Individual registration

Total $5.00

Morning Educational Programs – Family registration includes all family members

Number

WSBC Recognition Banquet (advance registration required, unless attending the morning educational sessions only) Menu: Leg of Lamb & Baked Ham, Au Gratin Potatoes, Green Bean Casserole, 7-Layer Salad, Assorted Pie w/Ice-cream. Open to all Sheep Day attendees & WSBC members

______ X $15.00

Children’s Menu: Same as above, only for youth 10 years and younger

______ X

2016 WSBC Annual Membership Dues

______ X $25.00

Advance Registration Deadline: Postmarked by March 1, 2016

$10.00

$5.00

Total Due:

Make checks payable to: WSBC Send to: Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op 7811 N. Consolidated School Road, Edgerton, WI 53534

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Wisconsin Livestock Breeders Association Announces 2016 Event Dates Edgerton, WI - WLBA’s Case IH Master Stockman Award applications are due on February 1, 2016. Three $1000 Master Stockman Award winners and two $250 honorable mention award winners will be selected and announced at the WLBA Annual Meeting. Applications and more details can be found on the WLBA website at www.wisconsinlivestockbreeders.com.

The Wisconsin Livestock Breeders Association’s 105th Annual Meeting and Recognition Banquet and “Spring Ahead” Livestock Education Sessions will be held on Saturday, March 19th, at the UW-Arlington Research Station Public Events building located at N695 Hopkins Rd, in Arlington.

Educational sessions will begin at 10:00 am. Registration for the WLBA Recognition Banquet and Annual Meeting will begin at noon, with the banquet slated to start at 12:30 p.m.

The recognition program will start at approximately 1:00 p.m. followed by the WLBA Annual Meeting. Educational sessions and banquet reservation details will be available on the WLBA website by February 15, or by contacting Executive Director Jill Alf at 608/868-2505 or alfhamp@centurytel.net.

The WLBA 36th Annual Wisconsin Spring Preview Show will be held Saturday, June 4, 2016 at the Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson, WI. Beef, sheep, meat goat and swine show entries will be due on May 2nd. “Preview” your livestock projects and feel more prepared as your summer show season begins!

“Raising a Passion for Excellence” Dave & Mary Troxel Chris, Sara, Courtney and Seth N6127-9th Ave Plainfield, WI 54966 Sara 715-340-4812 Farm 715-335-6854

sarahildebrandt15@gmail.com 8

The Wisconsin Junior Livestock Show Camp will be held June 11-12, 2016 at the Wisconsin State Fair Park, in West Allis, WI. If gaining knowledge of the livestock industry, learning management skills and techniques, as well as fitting, showmanship, and evaluation strategies, interests you, this camp is a must for your summer calendar! For the second year, Purina Animal Nutrition will co-sponsor and coordinate clinicians for this camp. Watch the WLBA website for these topnotch clinicians to be announced soon! Registrations are due on May 16th.

The 8th Annual Wisconsin Summer Spectacular Show will be held on August 20, 2016 in Marshfield, WI at the Central Wisconsin State Fairgrounds. Entries are due July 30—if you haven’t checked out one of the best end of the summer shows make the trip to Marshfield in 2016!

New in 2016: The WLBA youth exhibitor age has been extended to age 21 by January 1. All registration and entry applications will be available on the WLBA website at www. wisconsinlivestockbreeders.com. Mark your calendars now and check the WLBA website for further information as it becomes available.

How Much Nutrition is in Those Baled Corn Stalks?

Bruce Anderson, Extension Forage Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Corn stalk bales can provide much needed feed over the winter. To use them most effectively, you'll want to find out what they have to offer nutritionally.

Sample and test your bales as soon as possible so when snow gets deep or other feeds run out you will already know how to best feed your corn stalk bales.

Begin by testing the bales for protein and energy. You may be surprised at how variable the protein and energy content can be in corn stalk bales. I’ve seen protein as low as 3% and as high as 7%. Dry pregnant cows need 7-8% protein in their diet so high protein bales will need only a little protein to adequately care for the cows; however bales with 3% protein will need quite a bit of supplement to keep cows in good condition.

Use a protein supplement that is nearly all natural and is mostly rumen degradable. Maintenance-level forage diets need degradable protein for the rumen microbes. Remember that urea and other non-protein nitrogen sources aren’t used as well.

Many bales have pretty good TDN levels, nearly 60%. Cows fed these bales should do very well up until calving with just corn stalk bales and adequate protein supplement. However, stalks rained on before baling can be below 50% TDN. Cows fed these lower quality bales will need some extra energy, too. If your bales came from stressed stalks, like from drought or hail, also get a nitrate test to be sure they are safe.

MEMBERSHIP: WHY NOW? Beloit, WI - Did you enjoy the festival? Was one, two or three days not enough? Did you find yourself hearing about a workshop, speaker, or interactive session that you never knew existed? Did you hear about the day-long lamb cutting workshop by three of our own Wisconsin experts? And did you see the first-ever Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op carcass contest/live lamb display, the all-day Sheep 101 clinic, newborn lambs, and the seventy-plus kids who went through the skillathon? How about the great fleece show with over 250 fleeces displayed, judged and then offered for sale?

The educational possibilities at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival are endless and it’s all brought to you by your cooperative, serving Wisconsin sheep producers since 1875.

Our state has so many talented shepherds, fiber artists, innovators, entrepreneurs and small businesses related to our industry, all supporting over 2700 sheep operations.

Your $25 annual Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op membership supports the following!

Your full-service livestock marketing, commodity trading and agricultural financing cooperative!

EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK SALES ASSOCIATION’S

LAMB AUCTION

Proven as one of the MOST COMPETITIVE forms of marketing lambs.

• Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival • Wisconsin Wool Works!

• Wisconsin Make It With Wool • Annual Youth Scholarships • Stock Exchange • Free Website Classified Ads • Quarterly Magazine • Monthly ASI Newsletter • Representation at ASI National Conventions In addition, your membership helps to underwrite these industry activities: • Annual Arlington Sheep Day • North American Dairy Sheep Symposium • University of Wisconsin-Madison Beginning Sheep Shearing School • Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association annual Shepherd’s Clinic • FAMACHA Field Day • Wisconsin Livestock Breeders Association activities • Wisconsin State Fair Youth Events The board members of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative are listed in the annual membership directory, are receptive to member input and board meetings are open to all WSBC members.

So why not join now? A family membership is just $25. Go to www.wisbc.com and click on Cooperative Membership/ Info. Then plan to join your fellow WSBC members at the annual meeting on March 12, held in conjunction with the Arlington Sheep Day at the UW Arlington Research Station Public Events Building.

IT’S THE WAY TO GO! FOR MORE INFORMATION Please Call 800-362-3989, ext 131. www.equitycoop.com 9

Neil Kentner 1954-2015

Obituaries

Neil P. Kentner, Bancroft, MI, formerly of Mason, MI was born on August 7, 1954 and passed away, December 26, 2015 at the age of 61.

He was a member of the Michigan Sheep Breeders Association and very active in 4-H and was well known throughout the United States for his judging. Neil loved the farm, minor breed animals, and enjoyed music. He was a wealth of information when you needed it. Neil was an employee of Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes where he gave his all to serve the families he worked with. He attended Eden United Brethren Church and Perry Baptist Church.

Neil was preceded in death by his wife of 20 years, Connie Sue Kentner and his mother, Donalee Kentner. He is survived by his son, Justin Drew Kentner; daughter Hannah Zatslocki and his father Carl P. Kentner; brother, Lynn (Edie) Kentner; sisters Nancy Thane and Shirl (Tom) Streukens and several nieces and nephews.

The Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes, Ball Dunn Chapel, Mason, MI served the family. Funeral services were held on Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at Eden United Brethren Church, 1938 Eden Rd, Mason, MI. Graveside services were held January 2 at the Constantine Township Cemetery. For those desiring, contributions may be made to Michigan 4-H Foundation, 535 Chestnut Rd, #240, East Lansing, MI 48824. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.grbdmason.com.

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Jacque Edwin DeWeese 1938-2016

Jacque Edwin DeWeese age 77 of Pardeeville, Wisconsin died on Wednesday January 6, 2016 at his home. Jacque was born on December 14, 1938 in Delta, Iowa to Warren and Hazel (Showman) DeWeese. He married Marguerite Tracy on January 3, 1970 in Davenport Iowa. Farming was Jacque’s passion. He graduated from Iowa State with an animal science degree in the mid-60’s and immediately got work at Oscar Mayer in Davenport, Iowa. In 1972 he was transferred to the Madison office to work as an industrial engineer, which he did faithfully and well for over 30 years. He was recognized by the Wisconsin Sheep Breeder’s Cooperative as a Master Shepherd in 1984. He was also a member and officer of the Wisconsin Dorset Association in the 80’s. In 1997, he decided to take up driving horses. It was something he had done as a child, and in his retirement, this became an outlet for his passion for horses. He bought Nora, took some driving lessons and then joined MDDA (Midwest Distance Driving Association) sometime later. He quickly got involved in organizing driving events, served in many offices and organized clinics to help other drivers learn the craft. Other interests include, canoeing, nature walks in the western states and in Canada, woodworking and welding. His latest projects included several styles of horse carts, including a model that accommodates a wheelchair, several featuring better suspension and a model for a miniature horse. Jacque in Survived by his wife Marguerite, son Richard DeWeese, daughters Laura Veselovski, Michelle DeWeese and Becky Mielke and five grandchildren. A memorial service was held on Sunday, January 10, at the Picha Funeral Home in Portage, Wisconsin.

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U.S. Targhee Sheep Association Starter Flock Three Free Registered Targhee Sheep to be Awarded to Deserving Youth

Las Vegas, NV - The U.S. Targhee Sheep Association (USTSA) will again be offering a free registered Targhee Starter flock to a deserving youth at the 2016 USTSA National Show & Sale in Arlington, Wisconsin, July 14th-16th. The winner must be present to receive the flock and will be awarded one (1) ewe lamb, one (1) yearling ewe, and one (1) brood ewe donated by members of the USTSA. Each animal will be a USTSA registered animal, and at least QR in Scrapie Codon 171 genotype. The winner will also receive a $150 credit for use toward purchase of additional animals at the 2013 sale.

Applications, due April 1st, are now available to download at www.ustargheesheep.org or by contacting Mardy Rutledge at the USTSA office (ustargheesheep@gmail.com or 702-2925715). Any young person, ages 9-17, as of January 1, 2016, may apply. Applicants should possess a keen interest in the U.S. sheep industry, commitment to raising Targhee sheep over time, and a firm belief in the abilities of the breed.

Applicants must demonstrate proof of care, facilities, and transportation. Aside from receiving the flock of sheep, the winning youth, will be paired with a Targhee breeder living near them who will act as a mentor. The association is committed to helping the winner succeed.

Targhee sheep are one of the few breeds developed in the United States at the U.S. Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, Idaho. Withstanding harsh environments and minimal human intervention, while still producing high quality lamb and wool are hallmark traits of Targhees. Mothering ability and gentle dispositions are additional positive traits of the breed.

The U.S. Targhee Sheep Association believes in the future.

The success the program has had thus far has only affirmed it is the right thing to do for young people. This year we plan to do the same again. Please pass the word along to a young person you know. Visit the USTSA website at www. ustargheesheep.org for more information.

Wisconsin Junior Targhee Sheep Association Announces 2016 Starter Flock Giveaway Lodi, WI - The Wisconsin Junior Targhee Sheep Association will again be giving away a starter flock of three Targhee ewes in 2016 to a lucky Wisconsin youth. Applicants must be aged 12 to 17 as of January 1, 2016, must be a resident of Wisconsin, and must not currently raise Targhee sheep. The winner must also be eligible and agree to exhibit their animals at both the 2016 Wisconsin State Fair open sheep show and Wisconsin Junior State Fair sheep show. The winner will receive a combination of ewe lambs, yearling ewes and/or brood ewes, and take ownership of the animals before any 2016 State Fair entry deadlines.

The Targhee breed has a long history in Wisconsin, and the purpose of this program is to promote growth and visibility of the breed along with promoting youth involvement and education within the breed. Applications are available online at both the US Targhee Sheep Association website (http://www.ustargheesheep.org/) and the A&J Nevens Livestock website (http://myplace.frontier.com/~jrnevens/), and are due no later than April 1, 2016. For more information or questions, please contact Leslie & Jeff Nevens at 608-5927842, or AandJNevensLivestock@frontier.com.

Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association Spring Sale featuring over 80 head of high quality club lambs and breeding stock from top breeders in Wisconsin & Minnesota Youth Clinic, show supplies and food available ISBA members receive a complimentary halter with purchase

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University of Wisconsin - River Falls Mann Valley Farm 2.5 miles west of River Falls on County Hwy. MM, north on S. Glover Road

Sunday, April 3rd, 2016

Viewing 11:00 a.m., Youth Clinic 12:00 p.m., Sale 1:00 p.m.

For details visit www.indianheadsheep.wordpress.com or check us out on Facebook or contact Corinne Arnevik-Hansen at 715-205-9603 or chansen@sdlwi.org

Wisconsin State Fair Expands Open Show A Tunis division has been added to the 2016 Wisconsin State Fair open sheep show during the meat breeds rotation.

The wether-type breeding stock division will now have an exhibitor’s flock class of one ram, two yearling ewes, and two ewe lambs the same as the other registered breed divisions.

There will continue to be Any Other Breed (AOB) divisions in both the wool and meat breed rotations in which animals must be registered through their national breed association.

An individual sheep may only be shown in one division at the current fair. For example, a registered slick shorn Dorset may enter the Dorset division or the Wether-type division, but not both.

Substitutions into classes have no charge if postmarked by July 29 and any July 30 and after require a $12 per head charge.

Substitute sheep entered in both junior and open shows have separate forms and procedures for each show which caused

some confusion at the 2015 fair according to Barbara Bishop, open show superintendent. Bishop reminds exhibitors that pets, except service animals, are not permitted on site during the fair and that exhibitors need to remind those who are coming to assist with fitting and showing to not bring along their dogs.

The junior show coordinates with the open show so that junior sheep staying over for open meat breeds rotation or open wool breeds staying for junior show will be using the same pens. Any other penning requests should be included on entry forms, or directly contact the open show superintendent by July 15 so that pen assignments can be posted on the website and social media in advance of the fair. Entries made online at www.wistatefair.com will close June 22 or if by mail anything postmarked June 9 or after is considered late and late fees apply.

Wisconsin Southdown Stars Sale and Starter Ewe Program Darlington, WI - The Wisconsin Southdown Stars Sale and Symposium will be held on April 16th, 2016 at the UW Agriculture Research Center Public Events Building, Arlington, WI. Details can be found at the Wisconsin Southdown Association’s (WSA) website (www. wisconsinsouthdowns.com) and on their Facebook page (WisconsinSouthdownAssociation). Several short educational sessions will start the day and will feature experienced breeders sharing lessons learned on feeding, fitting and management of Southdowns. Sale lots will be available for viewing in the morning until the sale closes.

The 2016 “Starter Ewe Lamb” will be awarded to a Wisconsin youth at the event. Applications can be found on the WSA website and are due on April 1st. The Starter Ewe Lamb program is in its 8th year, has awarded eleven ewes to youth and has been an extremely successful way for youth who currently do not have Southdown breeding sheep to get a start in the breed. The youth are provided a high quality ewe lamb and mentorship from the donating breeder until the lamb is of breeding age and the ewe is bred. Southdowns

Haley Yunker (left), a donor from St.Croix Falls, WI, awards Morgan Eilers, Waupaca, WI, (right) with a Southdown Fall Ewe.

are one of the most popular breeds in Wisconsin for youth sheep projects due to the strong network of breeders, the Southdown’s moderate size, good temperament and that the breed is “slick sheared” by the youth when shown.

Futurity nominated ewe lambs purchased at this sale in 2016 will be eligible for a jackpot sponsored by the WSA. The jackpot will be awarded to the highest placing ewe in the American Southdown Breeders Association (ASBA) Pot Of Gold Futurities. This jackpot is in addition to any monies awarded by the ASBA. In 2011, the winner of the largest of the ASBA Futurities, the ewe lamb futurity, was purchased at this sale! This year’s sale will be a new online format, which will enable those who are unable to attend the educational sessions to still purchase stock.

If you are unable to visit the association’s website and need more details on the event, please contact Troy Lobdell at (608) 482-1502.

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Thanks to Our Silent Auction Donors!

Jefferson, WI - It’s a success story repeated year after year: The Silent Auction at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival has drawn unprecedented support from both donors and buyers alike, support that has provided scholarships and educational opportunities to hundreds of people over the past fifteen years. Below is a list of contributors who gave generously for the 2015 auction. Records were broken with the 235 lots contributed and the $2900 raised. The Board American Hampshire Ass’n Bob Kahring Roembke Hampshires Jessica Alf Weaver’s Loft Barb Gallagher* Green Mountain Spinnnery* Winter Sky Wool Co. Ingrid the Crafty* Lilac Ridge Farm* The Scarf Connection* The Knitting Tree Cloud Lover* Jehovah Jireh Wool Mill Greg & Amy Francisco* Shady Havens Fiber Designs* Sun Valley Farm* Rach-Al-Paca Fiber Processing* Kinkoona Farm* Mohair in Motion, Betty Todd* Anne’s Fiber Expressions What-A-View Farm, John and Mary Jackl* Hearthside Fibers* All American Fibers* Frene Creek Farm* Indian Lake Artisans* Mode Werk The Felted Soap Lady - Barb McFadden* Illinois Wool & Fiber Mill* Briar Rose Fibers, Chris Roosien* In the Wool* D Lee Woolees Rabbitry & Yarns* Kimmet Croft Fiber* Mielke’s Fiber Arts* Bijou Basin Ranch - Carl & Eillen Koop* Lori Champeau Cherie Richter

of Directors of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative wishes to thank both donors and buyers for their support along with the volunteers – Dick and Sylvia Roembke, Barb Schultz, Dave Troxel and Etta Held – whose help makes this fund raising activity so successful. The asterisk * indicates a festival Country Store vendor. If a contributor or volunteer has been omitted or misrepresented, please accept our sincerest apologies.

Psalm 23 Farm* Yarns by Design - Barbara Cattani* Trading Post for Fiber Arts Susan Markle* Bittersweet Baskets* Brown Sheep Co. Nancy Alison* Jaroslava Sobiskova* Fevolden Farm Alpacas Tom & Ginny Olson* Red Oak Farm* Littledale Farm Graham & Margaret Phillipson Heidi Schmidt Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op Ellen Diedrich Judy Grunzel Celestial Design Fiber Art* Silver Creek Farm Round the Block Farm Barakel Farm* The Green Yarn Co.* Dorothy Schutte, Handweaver* Alpacas of Prairie Station* J & L Farm - Jerry & Lora Valenta* JM Creations Heaven Scent Homespun* Wheeler Clay Studio* Morning Sun Fiber Farm* Whirlwind Ranch* Bramble Wool Farm* Babe’s Fiber Garden* Kessenich Looms* Wool From Over the Hill* Rich-Nes Alpacas* Leah Treasures Wool Gatherer’s LLC, Ltd.*

i c r e M

Blackberry Ridge Woolen Mill* Ewesful Gifts* A Z Farm - Alice Antoniewicz The Dancing Lamb* Liz’ Luggage Spry Whimsey Fiber Arts* Croftland Farm* Yorkshire Rose Farm* Four Crow’s Farm* Sandy’s Palette* Ice’d Icelandics Frosted Angora’s The Basket Lady* River’s Edge Fiber Arts* Wisconsin Dairy Sheep Co-op* The Scarf Connection* Blue Tulips* Barb Lassa Photography* Sutter’s Golden Fleece* Homestead Sheep & Fiber* Angelina Fibers Moonwise Herbs* Aceline Club Lambs Thistle Ridge* English Garden’s Fiber Mill* Karen Booth Sheepish Creations* Round Barn Fiber Mill, Margie Schafer* Prairie Moonrise Farm Horizon Rabbitry* Basket Artistry* Heidi Schmidt AFBK Connors Hampshires Debra Bannach

Thank You! Gracia

s

*Country Store Vendor

CORRECTION In the Fall Issue under Thanks to Our 2015 Shepherd’s Auction Supporters, we inadvertently misspelled the names of two contributors. The generosity of Pat and Sam Wiford is gratefully acknowledged with apologies for the error.

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Festival Costume Winners!

Costume Class 5 & Under Winner Camden Cory & Holly Williams, “Fireman, Fire Truck, Dalmation”

Costume Class 6-10 Year Old Winner, Andrew Formo as “Harry Potter”

Lead Line 10 & Under Winner Kaila Cross

Photos by Diane J. Snyder, Lady Di Livestock Photography

Small Scale Sustainable Sheep Farming Event 2016 The second annual Small Scale Sustainable Sheep Farming Event is February 20, 2016 at 10 a.m. at the Fosston Civic Center 215 E. First St. downtown Fosston, MN. This event is open to the public but requires registration.

The focus is on the benefits of sheep as part of a sustainable farming system where meat and wool are viable valueadded products.

Lunch and snacks provided.

Registration is required and the cost is $20/person, children under 10 free.

To register or if you have a business related to farming, sheep or fiber and would like to have a booth at this event, please contact Alethea Kenney, allie@reedbird.com or 218657-2502. More information at http://www.sfa-mn.org/ sustainable-sheep/.

Speakers include Mark Hayek, grazing specialist with the NRCS who will be presenting on “Building Resiliency in Pasture Systems”.

Alethea Kenney will be elaborating on the Sustainable Sheep Community Project and the opportunity to be part of the advisory board.

Environmental Anthropologist Keila McCracken will give an update on the Northern Minnesota Fibershed.

Jennifer Wilder will be presenting “Midwest Textiles: A Photo Journal Tour.”

Lynn Mizner of Chengwatana Farm Black Welsh Mountain Sheep and CSA will present information on “Generating a Year-Round Income From Heritage Sheep.”

Tour of Northern Woolen Mills follows the event.

This event is sponsored in part by: Northwest Regional Sustainable Development Partnership Northwest Minnesota Foundation Sustainable Farming Association North Central Feed Products, LLC Back in Balance Minerals® Northern Woolen Mills

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Arlington Beginning Sheep Shearing School instruction on proper care of the commercial fleece during and after shearing, and Holin Kennen, owner of The Dancing Lamb fiber arts store in Evansville, Wisconsin, gave demonstrations on proper skirting of fleeces.

Each student was provided a large notebook of printed information and a DVD on shearing methods, machine maintenance, and proper handling of wool provided by the American Sheep Industry Association.

The Arlington Beginning Shearing School is organized by Lynnette and Todd Taylor and Derald Stronach from the Arlington Sheep Unit and Students, instructors, and workers at the Annual Beginning Sheep Shearing School co-sponsored by the Wisconsin held at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Arlington Agricultural Research Station Sheep Breeders Cooperative and the on December 5-6. Stacked in the back are bags of wool sheared during the school.

University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Agricultural and Life The Annual Beginning Sheep Shearing School was held at Sciences through its Department of Animal Sciences and the the Arlington Agricultural Research Station Sheep Unit of the Arlington Agricultural Research Station.

University of Wisconsin-Madison on December 5-6, 2015. A total of 16 students from Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Illinois, and Arizona participated in the school, and over 150 sheep were sheared.

The lead instructor was Joe Huber, a professional sheep shearer from Wisconsin Dells, who has taught the school for several years. He was assisted in instruction by his sons, Josh Formulas for Sheep, Goats, Camelids & Horses and Jordan; Todd Taylor, manager of the Arlington Sheep Bioavailable Minerals, no fillers or artificial ingredients Unit; Dave Thomas, Professor of Animal Sciences; and Tom Murphy, Animal Sciences Graduate Student. In addition, Back in Balance Blends several members of the Taylor family and other UW-Madison Herbal Products for livestock employees provided valuable assistance in conducting the school.

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2015 North American Dairy Sheep Symposium David L. Thomas, Department of Animal Sciences, UW-Madison Madison - The 21st Annual Dairy Sheep Association of North America (DSANA) Symposium was held in Wisconsin on November 4-7, 2015. This annual meeting of the dairy sheep industry was started in 1995 as the Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposium and held at the now demolished Holiday Inn Southeast in Madison as part of the Wisconsin Sheep Industry Conference. Yves Berger, Sheep Researcher at the Spooner Ag Research Station at the time and chair of the first symposium organizing committee, and Bob Black, chair of the Sheep Industry Conference and now of the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, were instrumental in getting this first dairy sheep symposium off the ground. The next three Great Lakes Dairy Sheep Symposia also were held in Wisconsin, with the 1996 and 1997 symposia again in conjunction with the Wisconsin Sheep Industry Conference. After the 1998 symposium in Spooner, Wisconsin, it started an annual rotation among regions of the U.S. and Canada where there were centers of dairy sheep production.

The event is now called the Dairy Sheep Association of North America (DSANA) Symposium. It has been held nine times in Wisconsin, three times in Ontario, Canada, twice each in New York and Vermont, and once in Tennessee, California, Virginia, Washington state, and Quebec, Canada.

It is the primary venue for conveying new technology to and interaction among dairy sheep producers and sheep milk processors involved in this small industry in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative was instrumental in starting this North American symposium series and were financial sponsors and an exhibitor at the most recent symposium in Madison.

Over twenty five current and potential cheese makers partici­ pated in a pre-symposium sheep milk cheese making workshop at the Center for Dairy Research (CDR) on the UW-Madison campus on Wednesday, November 4. The workshop was organized and taught by Bene Coude of CDR and Brenda Jensen, dairy sheep producer, farmstead cheesemaker and owner with her husband Dean of Hidden Springs Creamery, Westby, Wisconsin.

Twelve presentations by 16 animal scientists, dairy sheep producers, veterinarians, and sheep milk cheese makers and marketers were held at the UW Extension Pyle Center on the UW-Madison campus on Thursday and Friday, November 5 and 6. A sampling of topics and presenters were: “Milking Machine Basics and Special Considerations for Small Ruminants” by Dr. Doug Reinemann, University of Wisconsin-Madison; “Impacts on Non-GMO Labeling on Artisan Cheese Production” by Cathy Strange, Global Cheese Buyer, Whole Foods Market, Austin, Texas; “Best Practices for Raising Lambs on Milk Replacer” by Dr. Tom Earlywine, Land O’Lakes, St. Paul, MN; and “Principles of Dairy Nutrition”

by Dr. Michel Wattiaux, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

During the sessions, the participants also were addressed

by Ben Brancel, Wisconsin Secretary of Agriculture, Trade

and Consumer Protection; Kate VandenBosch, UW-Madison Dean of Agricultural and Life Sciences; and Dick Straub, UW-Madison Senior Associate Dean of Agricultural and Life Sciences. During the DSANA annual meeting on November 6, Laurel Kieffer, Dream Valley Farm, Strum, WI was elected as the new president of DSANA. The reception on Thursday evening featured sheep milk cheeses from throughout the U.S. along with local beers and wine. At the reception, five-year symposium sponsors were recognized: Best Baa Farm/Ewenity Dairy Cooperative, Ontario, Canada; Page and Pedersen International, Ltd., Massachusetts; Merrick’s Inc., Wisconsin; Fromagex, Quebec, Canada; Dairy Connection Inc.; Wisconsin; and Biotic Industries Inc.; Tennessee. Land O’Lakes Animal Milk Products Co., Minnesota was recognized as a 10-year sponsor of the symposium. The banquet was held on Friday evening featuring a presentation on Wisconsin agriculture by the current and 68th Alice in DairyLand, Teyana Loether ( a B.S. and M.S. graduate of the Department of Animal Sciences, UW-Madison). A highlight of the banquet each year is the presentation of the William J. Boylan Distinguished Service Award, and the 2015 recipient was Sid Cook, master cheese maker and owner of Carr Valley Cheese Co., LaValle, Wisconsin. Carr Valley is the major user of sheep milk in Wisconsin, and Sid has won more national and international awards for his artisan cheeses than any other cheese maker in the United States. He was a pioneer in the production of sheep milk and sheep milk-blended cheeses.

The tour on Saturday, November 7 was organized by Jeanne Carpenter, Wisconsin Cheese Originals, and took participants to Cedar Grove Cheese in Plain, Wisconsin operated by Master Cheesemaker, Bob Wills (another processor of sheep milk), and to Hidden Springs Creamery in Westby, Wisconsin where participants visited the modern and expanding dairy sheep farm and artisan cheese plant operated by Dean and Brenda Jensen.

The symposium was one of the most successful in recent years with over 160 people in attendance from twenty two U.S. states, 3 Canadian provinces, and one Mexican state; twenty one financial sponsors, and fourteen commercial and industry exhibitors. The symposium was organized by the Dairy Sheep Association of North America and the UWMadison Department of Animal Sciences with the organizing committee of Brenda Jensen, WI (co-chair); David Thomas (co-chair); Rusty Burgett, IA; Jeanne Carpenter, WI; Bene Coude, WI; Steve Eckerman, WI; Bill Halligan, NE; Michael Histon, MD; Laurel Kieffer, WI; and Angie Sullivan, WI. The next DSANA Symposium will be held in Dec. 2016 on the campus of Cornell University, Ithaca, NY. Proceedings of the 21st DSANA Symposium, as well as the proceedings of all previous symposia, can be accessed at the UW Extension Sheep and Goat web site at http://fyi.uwex. edu/wisheepandgoat/dairy-sheep/. Persons interested in the dairy sheep industry should go to the DSANA web site at http://www.dsana.org/.

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Wisconsin Team Earns National Award for Livestock Learning Webinars Portland, Oregon—A team of Wisconsin 4-H Extension colleagues were recognized at the 2015 National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Conference recognition banquet held in Portland, Oregon, October 25-29. Bernie O’Rourke, Extension Youth Live­stock Specialist, UWMadison, Alissa Grenawalt, Extension Outreach Specialist, UW-Madison, Debra Ivey, Iowa County 4-H Youth Development Agent, and Pam Hobson Ag/Animal Science Specialist, WI 4-H Youth Development were recognized for winning the Excellence in Animal Science award at the 2015 National Association of Extension 4-H Agents Conference. This team first was recognized at the state and regional levels before receiving national Receiving national recognition for winning the Excellence in Animal Science recognition.

About 1100 4-H youth development award at the 2015 National Association of Extension 4-H Agents were (l-r) professionals from across the nation participated Deb Ivey, Bernie O’Rourke, Alissa Grenawalt and Pam Hobson. The program in the Association’s 69th annual conference, recognized was the Wisconsin Youth Livestock Program Livestock Learning “Empowered by Green,” that allowed 4-H/ Webinar Series for new and experience 4-H families.

Extension Youth Development Professionals Each year, the National Association of Extension 4-H Agents the opportunity to learn innovative, up to date educational (NAE4-HA) recognizes member(s) for their 4-H/Extension information, methods and techniques, exchange ideas, and work by presenting awards for outstanding accomplishments promote cooperation among all Extension personnel. in achievement, leadership, service and communication.

O’Rourke, Grenawalt, Ivey and Hobson received the Excellence in Animal Science Award during the 2015 Awards and Recognition banquet on Wednesday, October 28th. This award is sponsored by Tractor Supply Company.

The Excellence in Animal Science Award is open to NAE4HA members who program in youth development with a focus on how to deliver innovative educational programming, A Subsidiary of Cooperative Resources research or evaluation in the animal sciences area. The program recognized was the Wisconsin Youth Livestock Program Livestock Learning Webinar Series that was geared toward new and experienced 4-H families.

Sheep & Goat auction every Tuesday From January 2014 to May 2014, monthly programs 8:00 AM provided an overview of livestock projects in Wisconsin, All Classes of Sheep & Goats Welcome while remaining sessions focused on beef, swine, sheep and meat goats. Families could participate at home or at their county UW-Extension office and session speakers were a combination of local 4-H alumni along with state specialists from the Midwest. The program may be accessed on the Wisconsin Youth Livestock page at: http://fyi.uwex.edu/ We also sell Sheep Monday thru Thursday youthlivestock/programs/livestock-learning-webinar-series/.

8:00 AM to 1:00 PM For more information about the Wisconsin Livestock Learning Webinars or to learn more about other programs conducted by UW-Extension with the Wisconsin Youth Zumbrota Market Livestock programs, contact Bernie O’Rourke, Extension 44326 County 6 Blvd Livestock Specialist, UW-Madison Department of Animals 1-877-732-7305 Sciences at borourke2@ansci.wisc.edu or call 608-263-4304.

For more information To learn more about animal projects available in 4-H Youth call Tom Ostlie at 612-532-0966 or Development in Wisconsin, please contact Pam Hobson at visit our website at www.centrallivestock.com pamela.hobson@ces.uwex.edu or call 608-262-9605.

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Dennis Buege Inducted into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame Wisconsin Dells—Dr. Dennis Buege, long time Extension Meat Specialist and faculty member at the University of WisconsinMadison – Animal Sciences Department, was inducted into the Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame, posthumously, on Saturday, November 6 during the second annual Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame celebration.

Dennis was born and raised in Juneau, Wisconsin. He received a BS Degree in Meat and Animal Science from UW-Madison, an MS Degree from Cornell and a Ph.D. in Meat Science from UW-Madison. In 1977, he became the UW Extension Meat Specialist and worked at the university until he retired in 2005.

Dr. Buege enjoyed a long and distinguished career at UW-Madison, but despite a very busy schedule of Extension work with small meat plant operators and extension educators, one of his greatest joys was working with youth. Dr. Buege, along with Bernie O’Rourke, Extension Youth Livestock Specialist, led the 4-H Meats Judging Contests in which he engaged with youth across Wisconsin. In addition, Dennis led the FFA Meats Judging Contest, constantly

Dr. Dennis Buege, Extension Meat Specialist and faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, was post­ humously inducted into the second annual Wisconsin 4-H Hall of Fame held Novem­ber 6 in Wisconsin Dells. Dr. Buege retired from the university in 2005 after a dedicated career that included work with youth across the state.

mentoring and advising in a positive way. He worked tirelessly, setting up meat evaluation contests and working closely with youth. His easy going manner and warm sense of humor made him a popular Extension Specialist among 4-H youth and volunteers.

He was a dedicated member of the Statewide 4-H Animal Science Committee and was key in the development of Youth Livestock Days, the forerunner of the Area Animal Science Days.

Dr. Buege’s legacy is most evident today through the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Meat Products Auction at the Wisconsin State Fair.

Dennis was the impetus behind this event, now in its 24th year, to benefit 4-H. He served as advisor to the Wisconsin Association of Meat Processors, where his vision forged a partnership between the Processors and the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, resulting in a successful annual fundraising event. The Processors enter their meat products into a competition and then the winning entries are auctioned at a State Fair event to supportive individuals and businesses, with the proceeds flowing to the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation.

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In recent years we have sold rams to 6 states from W. Virginia to California, Kansas to S. Dakota. Yet we provide many reasonably priced rams to families here in Wisconsin. Contact us for your next ram that will make an impact in your flock.

MINT GOLD RANCH

Dale & Judy Dobberpuhl 5807 County Road X, DePere, WI 54115 920-864-7732 mintgoldranch@gmail.com • www.mintgoldranch.com

Trust the Experts Next time you’re at the feed store, ask for NutraStart products.

Best Mixing & Ingredients

We have been manufacturing top-performing milk replacer for more than 60 years.

$5 OFF COUPON

Take $5 OFF the purchase of 25 lb size of NutraStart® Lamb Milk Replacer Redeem coupon at participating Farm Store locations.

Call 630-715-1281 for a location near you.

TERMS & CONDITIONS: MANUFACTURER’S COUPON : Redeem this coupon at time of purchase. Coupon applies to the purchase of up to 5, coupon-specific products. Coupon may only be used once, and must be forfeited at time of redemption. Offer good only at participating locations. Not redeemable for cash. Customer is responsible for applicable sales tax. Void where prohibited, taxed or restricted by law.

Buy more. Spend less. Inquire about dollar volume discounts. Call: 630-715-1281

Customer’s Name:

Expires June 30, 2016 Limit: 5 items per coupon.

Address: City/State/Zip:

Circle The Number of Items Purchased with Coupon (Limit: 5)

Email:

1

Number of Lambs Raising:

2

3 Manufacturer

4

5

Store and Location: Farm Store: Please return to Milk Specialties Global / Consumer Group for reimbursement.

Mail to: Milk Specialties Global 7500 Flying Cloud Dr. Suite 500 Eden Prairie MN 55344 (must be post marked by July 31, 2016) NutraStart is a trademark of Milk Specialties Co.

21

Calendar of Events January 27-30 • ASI Annual Convention, The Strength of a United Voice, Scottsdale, AZ www.sheepusa.org February 6 • “Finding the Profit in Your Flock” - Indianhead Sheep Breeders Shepherd’s Clinic and Trade Show, Conference Center, Wisconsin Indianhead Technical College, Rice Lake, WI. Info: https:/indianheadsheep.wordpress.com or Tim Jergenson tim.jergenson@ces.uwex.edu February 20 • State 4-H Meats Contest, UW-Madison Meat Labora­tory. http://fyi.uwex.edu/youthlivestock/programs/ 4hmeats contest/. For more information, contact Jeff Sindelar, Extension Meats Specialist jsindelar@wisc.edu or Bernie O’Rourke, borourke2@ansci.wisc.edu.

February 20 • 2nd Annual Small Scale Sustainable Sheep Farming Event, Fosston Civic Center, Fosston, MN. Registration: $20/person, children free. For program or vendor information: Alethea Kenney, allie@reedbird.com or 218 657-2502.

February 25-27 • Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Organic Farming Conference, La Crosse Center, La Crosse, WI. For registration form, 715 778-5775 or website www.mosesorganic.org March 12 • Arlington Sheep Day, Public Events Facility, UWArlington Ag Research Station, Arlington. WI. Dave Thomas, dlthomas@wisc.edu 263-4306Cooperative or Todd Taylor, 608 846The Wisconsin Sheep 608 Breeders 5858 toddtaylor@wiscmail.wisc.edu offers quality print advertisements at March 12 • Annual - Wisconsin Sheep Breeders reasonable rates.

Our Meeting quarterly newspaper, Cooperative, Public Events Facility, UW-Arlington Ag Research The Station, Wisconsin Shepherd, reaches 3,500 Arlington, WI. Contact: 608 608 868-2505 or wisbc@ shepherds, sheep enthusiasts, & sheepcenturytel.net, www.wisbc.com related businesses across the Midwest.

March 19 • Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association Spring Shearing School. Information: www.indianheadsheep.com or Duane Klindworth 715 286-4157 2015 ADVERTISING RATES March 19 • 105th Annual Meeting & Recognition Banquet, Wisconsin Black Livestock Breeders Association, (Educational & White Color Sessions 10:00 a.m.; Banquet noon; Recognition Program Full1:00 page........$300 p.m., followed ...................$425 by annual meeting) Arlington Research 7” x 9.5” Station Public Events Building. Registration/reservation – www.wisconsinlivestockbreeders.com, 608 8681/2details page........$200 ...................$300 2505 or alfhamp@centurytel.net 7” x 4.75” or 3.5” x 9.5” April 3 • Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association Spring 1/4Sale, page........$100 ...................$175 UW-River Falls. Info: Corinne Arnevik-Hansen 715 2057”chansen@sdlwi.org x 2.375” or 3.5” x 4.75” 9603 1/8April page..........$60 ...................$100 9 • 20th Annual Stephenson County Fiber Arts Fair, Jane Addams Community Center, Cedarville, IL (815 5413.5” x 2.375” 0897) Information: Suzy@SuzyBeggin.com Premium..........$100 additional April 15 • Ad/Copy Deadline Wisconsin Shepherd Spring Available on full page inside 608 front723-6817 and inside Issue. Advertising: Lynn Crooks alcrooks@tds. back covers, and half page back cover net; Copy, Bob Black, 920 623-3536 rbblack@powercom.net April 16Directory • Wisconsin(black Southdown Starsonly) Sale, ‘Ewes for Youth,’ Business and white educational programs, and online sale.

UW-Arlington Ag 1.6” x 2.4” one issue four issues

22 member.............$40 ................$110 WSBC Non-member................$50 ...............$140

Research Station Public Events Building, Arlington, WI. Hosted

by Wisconsin Southdown Association. For information: www.

WisconsinSouthdowns.com April 15-16 • The Fiber Event, Putnam County Fairgrounds, Greencastle, IN. www.thefiberevent.com April 29 • Ad Deadline, Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival Catalog, Lynn Crooks, 608 723-6817 wisheepandwoolfestival @gmail.com May 1 • Deadline for applications: Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School, http://www.nlfa-sheep.org/ leadership.html May 14-15 • 19th Shepherd’s Harvest Sheep and Wool Festival, Lake Elmo, MN, Julie MacKenzie 612 961-9625 www.

SheperdsHarvestFestival.org June 3-4 • Hoosier Hills Fiber Festival, Johnson Co. Fairgrounds, Franklin, IN Le Burgett, leburg58@yahoo.com, www.hoosierhills fiberfestival.com June 11-12 • WLBA Livestock Show Camp, Wisconsin State Fair Park, www.wisconsinlivestockbreeders.com Registrations due May 16. 608 868-2505 or alfhamp@centurytel.net June 11-12 • 12th Annual Iowa Sheep and Wool Festival, Jasper County Fairgrounds, Colfax, IA, 319 726-4357 info@ iowasheep.com www.iowasheepandwool.com June 15 • Deadline - WSBC Youth & Education Scholarship Applications. Contact Jill Alf 608 868-2505 or wisbc@ centurytel.net. Application online at www.wisbc.com

2015 ADVERTISING RATES Black & White Color Full page, 7” x 9.5”...........................$300 ................$425 1/2 page, 7” x 4.75” or 3.5” x 9.5”..........$200 ................$300 1/4 page, 7” x 2.375” or 3.5” x 4.75”.......$100 ................$175 1/8 page, 3.5” x 2.375”........................$60 ................$100 Premium..........$100 additional

Available on inside front and inside back covers, and back cover

Business Directory,

black and white only, 1.6” x 2.4”

one issue four issues WSBC member.................................$40 ................$110 Non-member....................................$50 ...............$140

Consecutive Ad Discount We offer a 10% discount on ads placed in consecutive issues

AD DEADLINES

Winter issue- January 15 Spring issue- April 15 Summer issue- July 15 Fall issue- October 15

CONTACT

WSBC Adverstising Executive Lynn Crooks Email: alcrooks@tds.net Phone: 608-723-6817

July 14-16 • National Targhee Sale, UW-Arlington Public Events Facility, Arlington, WI. Info: 702 292-5715 July 15 • Ad/Copy Deadline Wisconsin Shepherd Summer Issue. Advertising: Lynn Crooks 608 723-6817 alcrooks@tds. net; Copy, Bob Black, 920 623-3536 rbblack@powercom.net August 4-14 • Wisconsin State Fair, www.wistatefair.com August 20 • 8th Annual WLBA Wisconsin Summer Spectacular Show, Central Wisconsin Fairgrounds, Marshfield, WI. Entries due July 30. www.wisconsinlivestockbreeders.com , 608 8682505 or alfhamp@centurytel.net

The Business Directory Members pay $110 for 4 issues or $40/issue

Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival September 8-11 Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson, WI www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com

Hammer Sheep

White and Colored Lincoln Rams and Ewes David Hammer

6738 Hilldale Rd Cuba City, WI 53807

Call Lynn Crooks at 608 723-6817

608-778-5014 davidhammer@centurytel.net

For Your Advertising Needs, for Subscription Rates or to Receive a 4-week Complimentary Paper Contact:

The Country Today PO Box 570 Eau Claire WI 54702 715-833-9276 • 800-236-4004 joann.utphall@ecpc.com sue.bauer@ecpc.com www.thecountrytoday.com

Jones Shearing

Experienced and dependable Shearing sheep, goats, alpacas, and llamas.

Covering Wisconsin, UP, Northern Illinois, and Eastern Iowa jonesshearing@gmail.com 715-424-1023 www.facebook.com search: jonesshearing

Texels – to put the MEAT back in your sheep!

• Scrapie Certified

Clothing, jewelry, Christmas cards, stationery, stuffed animals, books, figurines and calendars for the sheep enthusiast.

RON ERDMAN

Ewesful Gifts

OPP Negative

4362 So. Lake Fern Rd., Polo, IL 61064 815-564-7149 www.erdmantexel.com

Wisconsin Wool Works!

Sheep Barn Wisconsin State Fair August 6-16

Booths 707-708 in the Country Store Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival September 11-13

7868 State Road 73 Columbus, WI 53925 Order Toll Free 877 393-7385 or 920 623-3536 www.ewesfulgifts.com - free catalog

Published by The Wisconsin Shepherd

Erdman Texel Sheep

The Business Directory

Non-members $140 for 4 issues or $50/issue.

3696 Country Aire Drive Cedarburg, WI 53012 262-377-1491 • Dick 262-707-0032 • Mark rsrmke@att.net 4 Miles East of Jackson on SE Corner of Hwy. 60 and Country Aire Drive (Hwy. M)

23

THE

Address service requested

Non-Profit US Postage

Paid

7811 Consolidated School Rd. Edgerton, WI 53534

Permit No. 203 Eau Claire, WI

The most trusted name in lamb milk replacers!

SUPER LAMB

BL UE RIBBON BLUE LAMB & KID ELECTROLYTE PACK

®

TM

with SPECIAL DIRECT FED MICROBIALS

Formulated "just for lambs."

24% all milk proteins/30% fat.

Nonmedicated.

Merrick's Lamb and Kid Electrolytes provide a specific combination of proven electrolyte ingredients to optimize water and electrolyte absorption in lambs and kids.

Low lactose reduces bloat.

Added selenium.

150 IU/lb Vitamin E. Coconut oil for easy digestion.

Stays in suspension 24 hours.

8 lb pails & 25 lb bags. ®

With A Source of Live, Viable, Naturally Occurring Microorganisms

MERRICK'S, INC.

.

A Subsidiary of Merrick Animal Nutrition, Inc. 1-800-MER-RICK (637-7425)

Middleton, WI 53562-0307 USA

www.merricks.com