Wisconsin shepherd fall 2015

THE

WisconsinShepherd Fall 2015

A publication of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative

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

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President’s Message Thank You! As I sat down to prepare this message, those were the two words that kept coming to the forefront . Thank you to the organizers, participants, attendee's, speakers, judges, presenters, and most importantly to the many volunteers that make the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival run smoothly. As I've mentioned before, the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival is one of the premier sheep and wool festivals in the nation, and provides the WSBC and its members a great opportunity to not only connect and network with their colleagues, but also the end consumer of our products. It truly amazes me how many people are willing to step up and volunteer some time to help at the festival and keep the event running smoothly. Once again, we had tremendous weather for the weekend and by all accounts the board of the WSBC is considering the 2015 event a success.

Advertising Manager Lynn Crooks 6742 State Road 35 & 81 Lancaster, WI 53813 608-723-6817 alcrooks@tds.net

For those who attended the Wisconsin State Fair, I hope you had a chance to visit the Wisconsin Wool Works Booth in the sheep barn. Again, Thank you to the multitude of volunteers who make this booth a reality for the WSBC. Although most of the items in the wool works booth do not originate from the sheep present in the barn, in today's world of consumers wanting that "farm to table" experience, this may be as close as we can get in a public setting with that many people in attendance.

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

As many of you know, sheep are considered a "minor" species in the grand scheme of agriculture in the United States. We must continue to work together across all segments of this great industry to promote our finished products, wether that be lamb, mutton, or wool, and support the resources available to us as shepherds.

Take time to read about all the great events that took place at the festival in the following pages, and once again, THANK YOU to everyone who helped make it a success.

Happy Shepherding Alan Thorson, WSBC President

Future of UW Sheep Program In Question: WSBC Board Committed to Support Madison – With the impending retirement of Dr. Dave Thomas, University of WisconsinMadison Professor of Sheep Management and Genetics, the Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative has, in an effort to help assure the future of the university’s sheep program, its staff and outreach, committed the co-op to financial support for the program over a period of five years. The following letter and supporting document has been submitted to Dan Schaefer, Professor and Chair of the Department of Animal Sciences and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS). Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op members are encouraged to add their support to this effort by contacting the University of Wisconsin-Madison CALS administrators listed.

Cover photo taken by Wynn Wittkopf, Pewaukee, WI, from her trip to the Annual Trailing of the Sheep Festival with her father Bob Wiese. Begun in 1997, the festival honors the proud traditions, history and heritage of sheep ranching in the Sun Valley, Ketchum and Hailey areas of Idaho.

The Wisconsin Shepherd

Fall 2015

October 11, 2015 Dan Schaefer, Professor and Chair Department of Animal Sciences College of Agriculture & Life Sciences University of Wisconsin-Madison Dear Dr. Schaefer, The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative (WSBC) is aware of and concerned with the retirement of Dr. David Thomas, Assistant Department Head and instructor in pertaining to ovine science. To say Dr. Thomas and the UW-Madison Sheep Program are highly respected in the U.S. commercial, purebred and dairy sheep Industry would be an understatement. Replacing Dr. Thomas with someone of his caliber is paramount to growing our land grant university position and continuing its excellence and prominence in the livestock industry. Our association represents a diverse Wisconsin sheep, dairy sheep, and natural fiber industry, and has approved a five-year pledge of $6,000 annually to the Department of Animal Science contingent upon the solvency of the WSBC and upon the continued staffing of Dr. Dave Thomas' position and the extension work that his department provides through the Arlington Sheep Unit.

The WSBC strongly advocates hiring a replacement for Dr. Thomas with experience in reproduction, genetics, and sustainable sheep production. In addition we find it imperative that the highly successful and nationally recognized Arlington Sheep Unit and its manager, Todd Taylor, MS, continue to be substantially supported by your department. Their combined leadership of the Arlington Sheep Unit, and the extension work they perform, is recognized nationally as one of the respected programs dedicated to the U.S. sheep industry.

They provide a unique educational opportunity to support relevant research, training, and teaching for animal science & short course students, SVM students, more than 4000 Wisconsin 4-H/FFA youth, and adult education for over 2900 sheep farms in the state (a $9 million dollar industry). Genetic research in the program, utilizing scrapie and OPP codon testing, is creating the standard for animal health, welfare and biosecurity in the United States. Retaining talented Wisconsin youth, and drawing other talented students from throughout the country and world, is essential to maintain your department as a preeminent destination to educate the future leaders of our industry. Please reference the attached page for other specific details as to how your program supports sheep producers and your department.

We look forward to your response and commitment.

Respectfully, The Board of Directors of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative Alan Thorson, President Ryan Bingen Brandon Knutson Jeff Nevens Keith Schultz Fall 2015

Maralyn Fowler Laura Meyer Debbie Petzel

Sara Hildebrandt Tim Miller Sue Rupnow

Current benefits of a dedicated Arlington Sheep Unit & Staff include: • Over 600 breeding ewes and their associated breeding rams and lambs at the Arlington and Spooner Agricultural Research Stations used in research, teaching, and outreach/ extension. This is the largest number of sheep at any university east of the Dakotas, other than perhaps Ohio State University.

• The attraction of both in-state and out-of-state talented undergraduate students to UW-Madison.

• The attraction of graduate students for basic and applied research in genetics, reproduction, small ruminant nutrition, meat science and muscle biology.

• A top dairy research facility (Spooner) to the dairy sheep cheese industry in Wisconsin, accounting for 50% of US artisan sheep cheeses.

• Highly successful and profitable Badger Production Sale for 10 years, generating both departmental revenue (>$40,000 in 2013) and a hands-on marketing lab class for Animal Science students to build business and livestock marketing skills.

• Effective extension work with 2900 Wisconsin sheep producers who raise 88,000 head of sheep/lambs, producing over 1.6 million pounds lamb, 0.5 million pounds wool, and over $0.5 million in sheep milk, all adding to a strong state Animal Agricultural Industry. Wisconsin ranks 9th nationally by state in farms with sheep, and is almost a $9 million industry. While many states have lost sheep numbers, Wisconsin has maintained their numbers over the last 10 years. (http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_ by_State/Wisconsin/Publications/Livestock/wi_sheep_ goat_2014.pdf).

• All purebred sheep at Arlington are enrolled in the National Sheep Improvement Program, and several of the sheep are listed as trait leaders for Estimated Breeding Values for economically important traits. Arlington sheep are consigned to national and regional shows and sales and are well received by buyers – both for their phenotypes and estimated genotypes.

• Purebred sheep from Arlington are used in state and national 4-H, FFA, and collegiate judging and evaluation contests.

• Direct support of over 4000 Wisconsin livestock youth through extension work such as Arlington Sheep Days and the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival.

Potential outcomes with continuation of sheep species faculty position and Arlington Sheep Unit research station: • Marriage to the new University of Wisconsin Meat & Muscle Biology Lab for new lamb product development, grading, storage, shelf life studies & research for the over 270 local processing plants. Direct support of 88,000 jobs in an $18 billon Wisconsin meat industry.

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support Continued from page 3 • Sustainability of small ruminants for meat, milk, and fiber from the grasslands, crop residue, and cover crops - all abundant and underutilized in Wisconsin.

• Supplying a preferred dietary staple to the growing diversity of our states ethnic population and consumer desire for lamb/mutton and goat meat (goat meat production up 29% last year in WI) • Need for small ruminant research in reproduction, fertility and synchronization to meet the seasonality and diverse ethnic holiday markets. Growth in dairy sheep production (#2 in the US) demanding the same research.

• UW-Arlington and Spooner sheep flocks have critical mass for research projects from such funding sources as ASI, National Lamb Feeders, American Lamb Board, USDA, NRCS, NSIP and private animal health industry (Zoetis, Merck, Cidr's & Prids's) • A source of sheep for joint projects with University of Wisconsin Agronomy or Industry on cover crop usage (tillage radishes), turnips, small grains to prevent erosion on HEL or NHEL land, but harvestable for subsequent sheep grazing and conversion to animal protein.

• Advancing the technology for laparoscopic AI of sheep in Wisconsin.

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

Support for or comments regarding the University of Wisconsin-Madison sheep program may be directed to the following university administrators: DANIEL M. SCHAEFER E-mail: schaeferd@ansci.wisc.edu Phone: (608) 263-4513, (608) 263-4300 Title: Chair, Department of Animal Sciences 256a Animal Science Building 1675 Observatory Dr. Madison, WI 53706 KATHRYN VANDENBOSCH E-mail: kate.vandenbosch@wisc.edu Phone: (608) 262-4930 Title: Dean, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences 140 Agricultural Hall 1450 Linden Dr. Madison, WI 53706 RICHARD J. STRAUB E-mail: richard.straub@wisc.edu Phone: (608) 890-0225, (608) 262-9812 Title: Senior Associate Dean, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences 140c Agricultural Hall 1450 Linden Dr. Madison, WI 53706 JOHN M. SHUTSKE E-mail: john.shutske@wisc.edu Phone: (608) 262-9812 Title: Associate Dean – Extension, College of Agriculture & Life Sciences 140a Agricultural Hall 1450 Linden Dr. Madison, WI 53706

UW Beginning Sheep Shearing School

The annual Beginning Sheep Shearing School will be held on Saturday and Sunday, December 5 and 6, at the Sheep Premium..........$100 additional Unit, Arlington Agricultural Research Station, Arlington, WI. Available on inside front and inside back covers, and back cover The school will cover basic shearing skills including sheep Business Directory, black and white only, 1.6” x 2.4” handling, shearing positions, wool handling, and equipment one issue four issues care and maintenance. Cost of the school will be $80.00 per WSBC member.................................$40 ................$110 participant. All equipment will be furnished. Participants may Non-member....................................$50 ...............$140 bring their own shearing equipment if they wish. Registration includes lunch both days. Lodging is not included, but a list Consecutive Ad Discount of local hotels will be provided. Please contact Todd Taylor We offer a 10% discount on ads placed in consecutive issues (608-846-5858, toddtaylor@wisc.edu) with questions and to obtain registration information. The registration deadline is November 15, 2015, and enrollment will be limited to AD DEADLINES CONTACT the number of students the space can accommodate. The Winter issue- January 15 WSBC Adverstising Executive Spring issue- April 15 Lynn Crooks school is organized by the Department of Animal Sciences, Summer issue- July 15 Email: alcrooks@tds.net University of Wisconsin-Madison; Cooperative Extension, Fall issue- October 15 Phone: 608-723-6817 University of Wisconsin-Extension; and the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative.

4 The Wisconsin Shepherd Fall 2015

Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op Awards Scholarships Each year the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op offers up to $4000 in scholarships based on qualified applications submitted, and for 2015 the cooperative awarded scholarships to Rebecca Roembke of Cedarburg, Clint Dallas of Shawano and Andy Nevens of Lodi. Parents or the applicants must have been members of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative for a minimum of two years, including the year of application.

The applicants must be a high school senior graduating in 2015 or a college students age 25 or younger. Applicants must be enrolled in the University of Wisconsin-Madison Agriculture Short Course, a technical or community college or accredited four-year college in the fall of the application year. In addition, the applicant must have carried sheep as a 4-H or FFA project for a minimum of two years.

For more information on the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op scholarship program or for an application, go the website www.wisbc.com, contact the WSBC office in Edgerton at wisbc@centurytel.com or call 608 868-2505 (eve.). Scholarship applications for 2016 are due by June 15.

Andy Nevens

I started showing market lambs, South­ down and Targhee sheep when I was eight years old. I helped with feed­ing, watering, and help­ing my older sister with show practice. I also assisted during lamb­ing, giving immun­ izations, helping during shearing, cleaning barns, stacking straw and hay, maintaining our fence lines and caring for their hooves. I have learned how to slick sheer market lambs and meat breed show stock, and how to fit wool breeds for show. I’ve learned show ring etiquette and how to properly show different kinds of sheep. I have been able to win multiple champion and showmanship awards at the national Targhee junior show.

Raising and showing sheep has allowed me to personally grow in many ways. My sheep project has given me opportunities to meet many people from all over the country.

Having sheep as a common interest has allowed me to open up, make many new friends, and given me confidence around others. I also have learned the importance of tradition.

Tradition is big in my family; I am the 6th straight generation that has raised sheep! Seeing the names of my grandfather and great grandfather listed on the State Fair Sheep Barn Hall of Fame reminds me of the family history behind my project and gives me a lot of pride! These are things that I will remember for a lifetime. My last skill I have learned is Fall 2015

educating the public about agricultural products.

I have participated in many different WSBC events in my sheep-showing career. My family and I have attended the Arlington Sheep Days event for many years. I have exhibited animals in both the open and junior shows every year and take part in the other Festival contests. I volunteered my sheep and some fleeces for the Farmer For A Day exhibit at the Lodi Agricultural Fair. I donate sheep twice a year for our FFA Day on the Farm. The Lodi FFA chapter also helps staff the Discovery Barn at the Wisconsin State Fair, and I volunteer my time.

I have also achieved many musical accomplishments.

I was a member of the Lodi marching band, a member of the pep band, a member of both the Symphonic and Wind Ensemble bands, and one of the lead drummers for jazz band. Competing in state solo ensemble competitions since middle school has also been very rewarding. In my 5 years of eligibility, I earned 5 first gold awards at the regional level, which lead to 2 first gold awards at the state level.

I will be attending Madison Media Institute in the fall and will be majoring in Audio Engineering. With the skills that I will learn at MMI, I hope to be able to start my own record label one day. I would either like to be a drummer in a band, or a drum teacher as a part time job to raise money to help pay for college.

Clint Dallas

My livestock opera­ tion is fairly unique my family lives about seven miles from where our sheep are housed. We buy all of our sheep from Corner View Club Lambs. Owners Doug and Roy Wilson allow us to house our lambs at their farm. We have been very fortunate to have Doug and Roy serve as our sheep mentors as they taught us how to raise and care for sheep and they have also taught us that hard work at the farm pays off in the show ring.

During lambing season I help on the weekends by processing.

I also take part in the normal management process of the flock. I also help build fence, sort ewes for breeding, semen check rams, pick rocks, kill thistles, paint pens and more.

Once the show season begins, so does the washing, drying and shearing of the show sheep. It’s always fun to see how the lamb looks the first time it is sheared. This summer, I

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scholarships Continued on page 6 5

Rebecca Roembke

scholarships Continued from page 5

Our family has raised Hampshire sheep since 1965. My father and grand­father have taught me everything I know about sheep and are the reason why I joined the sheep project.

The sheep project has taught me so many valuable lessons over the past 14 years.

Owning sheep has taught me how to be responsible and the value of hard work. It has to be done rain or shine and whether you feel like it or not. Being in the sheep project has also taught me that even if you do what you are supposed to, hardships still come along and things may not work out as planned. I learned that you just have to do your best with what you have. The sheep project has also given me the ability to work with, train, and understand animals. What I feel is really neat is one minute you are helping your friends with their lambs, the next you are competing against them and afterwards everyone is still friends.

My family has been members of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative for a long time. My grandparents have been involved in it since before I was born and my dad since he was a kid himself.

While in 4-H I have received many awards for my projects.

I have also received special awards for my drawings and paintings and received merit awards at the state fair level.

At the Washington County Fair I have also received Reserve Champion Home Bred and Raised Lamb four times, won showmanship in my age group eight times, and had the Reserve Champion Lamb Carcass twice. In 2012 one of my market lambs was Reserve Champion Carcass Performance Lamb at the Wisconsin State Fair.

In volleyball I also made 1st team All-State, All-Tournament Team at state, was Flyway Conference Player of the Year, and the West Bend Daily News All-Area Player of the Year.

I acquired a cumulative GPA of 3.971 and was ranked third in my class of 106. I was also the female recipient of the US Groenewold fur & wool co.

National Reserve Scholar Athlete at my high school.

Currently I am majoring in Marketing with minors in The Midwest’s 304 E. Avon Street Graphic Design and Economics. I am also exploring the PO Box 663 Groenewold fur & wool co. #1 Wool Buyer possibilities Forreston, IL 61030 of adding an engineering major. I finished my Tel: 815-938-2381 second year with a 3.91 GPA. I hope to get a job that I love Groenewold fur & wool co. email: office@gfwco.com CallMidwest’s us for a shearer / buyer near you!

The 304 E. Avon Street and am able to make an impact in the world.

am a full-time employee of Corner View Club Lambs. They made the decision to start an ET program on the farm. I will be getting the ewes ready for the flushing process; shearing ewes, giving shots and assisting with the flushing process.

I have learned countless lessons from my livestock experiences. The one that stands out the most for me is patience. I very quickly realized how much time I had to dedicate to each lamb to get them to perform exactly the way I wanted them to. It took me a long time to realize I had to be patient to slow down and use finesse instead of force. I was also a little stubborn and didn’t always like to listen to others advice. Thankfully they had patience with me! This leads me to another huge life lesson I learned thanks to my sheep project – teamwork. I learned at a very young age that when you show as a family, especially if you’re the youngest like me, you don’t always get the best lambs and don’t win as often. At first I was upset when my sibling would do better than me. Then one day I realized that it is not about how well I do, it’s about how well our team does. This was easily carried over to my basketball career. It doesn’t matter how many points you score if your team does not win the game. If the team succeeds so do you! It’s easy for me to determine what I have put into this project but it’s hard to determine the many benefits I’ve received – it’s still too early to tell. I know it has taught me patience, teamwork and how to have fun!

I have been active is school sports. Football - 4-year letter winner, Captain, Leadership Council . Basketball - 3-year letter winner, Teammate Award, Baseball 2-year letter winner, and Most Athletic. I also participated in music and was Orchestra Bass section leader and Jazz Band Rhythm section leader. I participated in FBLA also. At UW-Madison, I’m a member of the Saddle & Sirloin Club and play intramural football and basketball and am Treasurer of CALS Student Association I am currently a student at the University of WisconsinMadison majoring in Animal Science. I am very interested in improving the health of livestock whether it is through feed, antibiotics or housing. I would also like to use my practical experience plus the skills I learn in college to start my own sheep operation. I would like to give my kids, and other non-farm kids, like I was, the same positive, life-changing experiences I had inside and outside of the show ring.

GFW GFW GFW GFW

PO Box 663 web: www.gfwco.com Groenewold fur & wool co. #1 Wool Buyer Forreston, IL 61030

The Midwest’s The Midwest’s #1 Wool/ buyer Buyer Call us for a shearer near you!

304 E. Tel: Avon815-938-2381 Street Box 663 email: PO office@gfwco.com Forreston, IL 61030 304 E. Avon Street Tel: 815-938-2381 web: PO Box 663 email: office@gfwco.com Forreston, IL 61030 Tel: 815-938-2381 web: email: office@gfwco.com

Call #1 us for a shearer / buyer near you!

Wool Buyer

Call us for a shearer / buyer near you!

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www.gfwco.com

www.gfwco.com web: www.gfwco.com The Wisconsin Shepherd

www.facebook.com/WisconsinSheep

Fall 2015

Walk & Knit: The Chase….With Knitting Needles?

The second year of Walk & Knit at Jefferson drew eleven teams of competitive knitters. Knitting (and walking) their way to first place was Team 10, (l-r) Aviva Cantor, Kirsti Johanson, Caitlin Brecklin and Renata Hornik.

Walk & Knit? If you’re thinking the stereotypical grandmother in a rocking chair, think again. While the Walk & Knit competition at Jefferson might not measure up to The Chase or Friday Night Lights for some, it isn’t for the

sedentary. Knitting is for active people and you know you’re at a sporting event when you see team huddles and team t-shirts. This is a race where the participants come armed with knitting needles!

In its second year at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, Walk & Knit was inspired by a similar event held in Estonia called Käi ja Koo and brought to the U.S. by Mary Germain of Shorewood, WI. The concept is simple: Each team member (teams are comprised of four knitters) walks one lap of 100 yards while knitting. Points are given to each team member based on the number of stitches knit and the time to finish the course. The team with the most points (based on the most stitches and fastest times) wins.

The contest was overseen by the Arachne Spinning Guild of Door County and emceed by Chris Vuco. Eleven teams competed for prizes valued at over $800.

First Place: Team 10 - Renata Hornik, Aviva Cantor, Caitlin Brecklin, Kirsti Johanson Second Place: Team 9 – Kathy Doran, Nancy Simonson, Stacy Parenteau, Julie Enslin Third Place: Team 8 – Kristin Boland, Rachael George, Margarette Allen, Julie Berberich

We’re here for what’s next.

800-237-7193 ext. 10 - sheepandgoatfund.com

The NLPA Sheep and Goat Fund assists the U.S. sheep and goat industries by financing projects that strengthen and enhance the production and marketing of sheep and goats and their products. It is a valuable tool to expand your operation and take it beyond the farm gate. Learn how you can benefit from the fund at sheepandgoatfund.com.

Fall 2015

The Wisconsin Shepherd

Invest in equipment and business development Facilitate flock/herd expansion Improve marketing and product quality

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Carcass Competition Poses Questions for Producers Madison - Do the lambs you market have enough finish?

Do they have excess trimmable fat? Does this reduce their yield of boneless, closely trimmed, retail cuts (% BCTRC)? Do your ewe lambs not used as replacements fatten differently than your wether lambs? Should you direct market your lambs? Should you sell by live weight, by carcass weight or as retail cuts? What should you charge for each retail cut on a per pound basis? Those are questions posed by Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative board member Tim Miller, who was one of the coordinators of the first carcass competition at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival in Jefferson. Participants each entered a pen of three lambs, which were judged in the pens by a panel of judges. The lambs were not shown or fitted and had enough fleece to yield a #1 pelt.

Each pen of contest lambs was processed at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Meat and Muscle Biology Lab, where carcass data and photos were collected under the guidance of Ron Russell, Bernie O’Rourke and Alissa Grenawalt.

The live judging results had the pen entered by Splide Bros. of Stoughton, WI, in first place, with the MJR Hampshires entry from Cedarburg, WI in second place. On the rail the top carcass came from Roembke 1004 at 46.56% boneless, closely trimmed retail cuts, while Spilde Bros. 1952 placed a close second with 46.45% BCTRC. $200 and a traveling trophy

The Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op launched its Carcass Competition at Jefferson with help of the University of Wisconsin-Madison and faculty members (l-r) Extension Youth Specialist Bernie O’Rourke, Senior Lecturer Ron Russell and Extension Outreach Specialist Alissa Grenawalt.

will be presented to the exhibitor of the top placing pen and $150 to the second place pen at the annual meeting of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op on March 12, while $200 will go to the exhibitor of the first place carcass lamb and $150 to second place.

The following sponsors helped to underwrite the 22nd Annual competition: Equity Cooperative and Dave Johnson, Baraboo, Shepherd’s Clinic WI; Kent Feeds Group, Muscatine, IA; Big Gain of Wisconsin, and Trade Show Arlington, WI and Dewayne Schultz; The DeLong Co., Clinton, WI and Dave DeLong; Hughes Seed Co., Woodstock, IL and Saturday, February 6, 2016 Bob Wagner. Miller added that, in addition to business WITC Conference Center sponsors, UW-Madison faculty provided critical input to make Rice Lake, WI the carcass competition a success including Dr. Dave Thomas, UW-Dept. of Animal Science and he thanked Cody Hiemke, Finding the Profit in Your Flock Past-Director, American Lamb Board; Robbie Weyker, UW For Youth, Beginning Shepherds, Advanced Shepherds Meats Lab; Brandon Knutson, WSBC Director & Diamond K and Wool Growers & Crafters Club Lambs for their efforts in helping to coordinate this first Nationally Known Speakers ~ Silent Auction ~ Awards Luncheon attempt at a pen competition at Jefferson.

Topics Covering All Aspects of the Sheep Industry Miller encouraged both commercial and purebred breeders alike to consider entering lambs in the 2016 competition, suggesting that producers need to ask themselves such questions as: Do I know what my lamb customers are getting?

What is the best weight/time to market my lambs? Are the rams I’m using giving me the type carcass I want? What is my Representing Sheep Producers and Supporting Businesses in the 22 County strongest carcass trait? Where can I improve? Do I need to Indianhead Region of Northwest Wisconsin change genetics?

For complete details on the 2016 Carcass Competition, For Information about ISBA and the clinic, please go to: go to the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival website, www. wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com or refer to the festival www.indianheadsheep.com catalog.

8 The Wisconsin Shepherd Summer 2015

Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association

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The Wisconsin Shepherd

for Kid Goats and Lambs for the first feeding.

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Make It With Wool Contest Results

Holley Schwartz of Water­ town took first place honors in the Novelty Youth Division at the 2015 Make It With Wool competition at Jefferson. She received a $25 cash award from the Wisconsin MIWW program.

In the Novelty Adult cate­ gory of the Wisconsin Make It With Wool contest, Marsha Anderson of Fort Atkinson placed first, receiv­ ing a $25 cash award from Wisconsin MIWW.

The Wisconsin Make It With Wool Contest was held during the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival at Jefferson County Fair Park in Jefferson on Saturday, September 12. There were thirty-nine garment and novelty entries.

Contestants in the Make It With Wool contest competed for top prizes in the five garment divisions – Preteen, Junior, Senior, Adult, and Made for Others. Garments must have been constructed during the contest year and made of wool or wool blend fabrics, wool yarn or specialty fibers such as mohair and alpaca. Judging was completed by five judges who spoke with each contestant individually and then judged the construction of the garments. The afternoon Style Show featured all contestants modeling their unique and skillfully crafted garments before an appreciative audience. Winners in all categories were announced and prizes presented.

Preteen: 1st Layla Alt, Shullsburg: Babylock sewing machine donated by M & R Sewing of Madison 2nd Anna Dahlke, Adams: Iron donated by Nasco of Ft. Atkinson 3rd Theadora Ranis, Onalaska: Scissors donated by Kurth Farms of Pewaukee

First place winner in the Junior Division of the 2015 MIWW competition at Jeffer­s­on was Kimberly Westenberg of Watertown who receives airfare to the National MIWW contest in Scottsdale, AZ in January, provided by the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative and hotel accommodations provided by the National MIWW program.

The first place Preteen winner in the 2015 Wisconsin MIWW competition was Layla Alt of Shullsburg, who received a Babylock sewing machine donated by M&R Sewing of Madison.

2nd Mary McDonald, Stevens Point: $50 cash award from Wisconsin Make It With Wool 3rd: Tara Schultz, Columbus: Scissors donated by Kurth Farms of Pewaukee Senior: 1st: Sara Sybesma, Delavan: Airfare to the National MIWW contest in Scottsdale, AZ in January 2016 provided

by Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative; Hotel accommodations paid by National MIWW Adult: 1st: Barbara Mueller, Marshfield: $150 cash award from Wisconsin Make It With Wool 2nd: Karin McDonald, Stevens Point: $50 cash award from Wisconsin Make It With Wool 3rd: Peggy Matthews, Appleton: Scissors donated by Kurth Farms of Pewaukee

Made for Others: Junior: 1st: Anna Schultz, Columbus: $50 cash award from 1st Kimberly Westenberg, Watertown: Airfare to the Wisconsin Make It With Wool National MIWW contest in Scottsdale, AZ in January 2016 provided by Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Best Knitted Entry: Cooperative; Hotel accommodations paid by National Tara Schultz, Columbus: $50 cash award from Hidden Valley MIWW Farm & Woolen Mill, Valders, WI 10 The Wisconsin Shepherd Fall 2015

As Senior Division winner in the MIWW competition at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, Sara Sybesma of Delavan receives airfare to the National MIWW competition in Scottsdale, AZ in January, provided by the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op. In addition, she receives hotel accommodations courtesy of the National MIWW program.

Barbara Mueller of Marshfield was the first place winner in the Adult Division of the MIWW competition, receiving a $150 cash award from Wisconsin Make It With Wool. Mueller will prepare a video of her garment and submit it to the National MIWW contest where a panel of judges will decide a national adult winner.

2 Best Constructed Items: Mary McDonald, Stevens Point: $100 cash award from Sewing with Nancy, Beaver Dam, WI Peggy Matthews, Appleton: $100 cash award from Sewing with Nancy, Beaver Dam, WI

Adult MIWW winners at the 2015 competition in Jefferson (l-r) 1st place, Barbara Mueller, Marshfield; 2nd place Karin McDonald, Stevens Point; and 3rd place Peggy Matthews, Appleton.

Matthews received a $100 award from Sewing With Nancy as one of the two winners in the Best Constructed category.

Mary McDonald of Stevens Point received a $100 cash award from Sewing With Nancy as one of the two winners in the Best Constructed category at the MIWW competition in Jefferson.

AZ, in January of 2016. Adult winner, Barbara Mueller, will prepare a video featuring her garment and submit it to National Contest where a panel of judges will decide Novelty Youth: on a National Winner. The 1st: Holley Schwartz, Watertown: $25 cash award from National Adult Winner will Winner of the Best Knitted WI MIWW be notified and will receive a item at the 2015 MIWW 2nd: Tabitha Jensen, Clinton: $15 cash award from trip to the national contest in contest was Tara Schultz of WI MIWW Scottsdale, AZ. Columbus, who received a 3rd: Blake Sullivan, Macomb, IL: $10 cash award from The major sponsor of $50 cash award from Hidden WI MIWW the Make It With Wool Valley Farm & Woolen Mill contest is the Wisconsin of Valders.

Novelty Adult: Sheep Breeders Cooperative.

1st: Marsha Anderson, Fort Atkinson: $25 cash award from Jefferson Agri-Business and WI MIWW Watertown Agri-Business also provide support to Make It 2nd: Nancy Lindquist, Slinger: $15 cash award from With Wool along with numerous businesses and organizations WI MIWW throughout Wisconsin.

3rd: Nancy Lindquist, Slinger: $10 cash award from The 2016 Make It With Wool competition will be held WI MIWW during the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival at Jefferson Thanks to the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative, County Fair Park in Jefferson. For additional information, visit all garment contestants received 2 ½ yards of beautiful www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com and click on Make Pendleton wool.

It With Wool or contact Wisconsin’s State Director, Wynn Junior and Senior winners, Kimberly Westenberg and Sara Wittkopf at jwwittkopf@core.com, 262-367-6192, or 262Sybesma will travel to the national competition in Scottsdale, 370-1433.

Fall 2015 The Wisconsin Shepherd 11

Badger Production Sale: Just Short of Record

Dave Thomas, Professor of Sheep Management and Genetics, introduced the Animal Sciences undergraduate students who assisted with the annual Badger Production Sale. L to R: Rebecca Krueger, Waukesha, WI; Ellen Schneider, Madison, WI; Paula Campbell, Monroe, WI; Beth Miller,Reedsville, WI; Emily Petzel, Centuria, WI; Colleen Hjortness, Neenah, WI; and Clint Dallas, Shawano, WI.

Buyers from six states registered for the recent Badger Production Sale, pushing the sale average of $436 to within a dollar of last year's record. The sheep sold were from the UWMadison Arlington Sheep Unit flock managed by Todd Taylor.

Arlington – The 8th Annual Badger Production Sale, a sale of purebred ewe lambs and rams from the Arlington Agricultural Research Station of the University of WisconsinMadison, was held on Sunday, September 27, at Arlington, WI. The sale provides a unique opportunity for undergraduate students in the UW -Madison Department of Animal Sciences to assist in organization and management of a production sale of breeding livestock.

The sixty seven head averaged $436, just a dollar per head short of the record 2014 sale average of $437 on 58 sheep sold. The Polypay, Hampshire, and Targhee flocks are enrolled The Badger Production Sale has provided buyers from across in the National Sheep Improvement Program, and sheep in the country with the opportunity to purchase breeding stock the sale sold in order of their Estimated Breeding Values from the three breeds maintained at the Arlington Sheep Unit.

(EBVs) and Indexes for economically important traits.

The ewe and ram lambs offered in the sale were all enrolled Buyers from six states registered for the sale. The high under the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). selling sheep of the sale was a Hampshire ewe lamb with the highest Carcass-Plus index of any Hampshire in the sale; The number of animals sold and sale averages by group selling for $800 to Don Drewry of Farmington, MN. The high were as follows: selling Polypay ewe lamb went to Big Prairie Polypays, Mark 18 Hampshire ewe lambs - $385 Meuer family, Ashton, IL for $750. Seven Polypay ewe lambs 3 Hampshire ram lambs - $550 with USA Maternal Indexes ranking them in the top 10% 32 Polypay ewe lambs - $449 of the breed commanded an average sale price of $586. A 2 Polypay ram lambs - $475 Targhee yearling ram topped that breed, bringing $550 and 5 Rambouillet ewe lambs - $365 selling to Stephanie Pfister, Chana, IL, while four Targhee ewe 5 Targhee ewe lambs - $495 lambs each brought $500 each; two selling to Jon Beastrom, 2 Targhee yearling rams - $525 Pierre, SD and two selling to Lindow Farms, Chili, WI. The high There were gross sales of $29,200 on the 67 head sold. selling Rambouillet ewe lamb sold for $400 to David Hammer, The flock at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station Cuba City, WI. Volume buyers at the sale were Randy Hampton, Glen is managed by Todd Taylor (toddtaylor@wisc.edu) and Haven, WI with 9 head; Steve Spessard, Worthington, MN supervised by Dr. David L. Thomas (dlthomas@wisc.edu) and with 8 head; Mark & Brenda Van Roekel, Orange City, IA with is maintained to serve the research, teaching, and extension 8 head; Doug Wilson, Shawano, WI with 7 head; and Zach missions of the Department of Animal Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Meinders, Buffalo Center, IA with 6 head.

12 The Wisconsin Shepherd Fall 2015

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Spooner Sheep Day of the Spooner Sheep Day are available at http://fyi.uwex.edu/ wisheepandgoat/spoonersheep-day/.

Spooner Sheep Day has a long tradition of providing useful information to the state’s sheep producers and is the longest -running agricultural field day of the many held each year by the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. For more information, contact Lorraine Toman at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station (715- 6353735, lltoman@wisc.edu) or Dave Thomas (dlthomas@wisc. edu, 608-263-4306).

Cody Hiemke, Stoughton, WI, Lamb Program Manager for Niman Ranch, was awarded the 2015 Sheep Industry Award at the 63rd Spooner Sheep Day. Hiemke has been active in his efforts to promote the industry through his work with the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP), American Lamb Board, ASI and many state and industry-wide organizations. Presenting the award is Dr. Dave Thomas, Professor of Sheep Management & Genetics, UW-Madison College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. Photo courtesy of Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association The 63rd Annual Spooner Sheep Day was held at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station on Saturday, August 22.

Featured speakers included Cody Hiemke, B.S., M.S. in Animal Sciences from University of Wisconsin-Madison and current Lamb Program Manager, Niman Ranch (a natural meats company) and Dr. Kay Nelson, D.V.M from UW-Madison and current veterinarian for the herds and flocks of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Hiemke led a discussion on what quality means to the industry when producing market lambs and the benefits to both the producer and the sheep industry of producing such lambs.

Dr. Nelson discussed some of the more common sheep health issues she has seen at the UW-Madison sheep units at both the Arlington and Spooner Stations along with recommended preventive measures and treatments. Ton Murphy and Vera Ferreira, graduate students working with the university sheep program and Emily Petzel, the 2015 summer student intern at the Spooner station, presented results of several projects they have been working on, including the Use of Estimated Breeding Values (EBVs) in Predicting Future Performance of Sheep, the Effect of Breed and Hybrid Vigor on Lamb Survival, and a Novel Approach to Controlling Internal Parasites in Lambs.

The 2015 Sheep Industry Award was presented to Cody Hiemke for his work with the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP), ASI and his many efforts within other organizations aimed at the improvement of the sheep industry. The Sheep Industry Award was begun in 1960 and has recognized fifty nine industry leaders since its inception.

The day-long program concluded with an open house at the Spooner sheep unit and a tour of the facility that included lambing facilities, hay feeding systems and the milking parlor and sheep housing units. The full proceedings 14

y t i n u t r oppo Logistics coordinator for the fiber arts classes at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, September 8-11, 2016. This logistics person will assist the director of the fiber arts section of the festival. One person for the entire festival is preferred, but may be shared with two or more people on a per day basis.

REQUIREMENTS • full day participation for setup on Wednesday prior to the festival • full day attendance each day, approximately four hours intermittently/day • focus times daily at class startup and changeover BENEFITS • free admission to the entire festival • free time between scheduled duties DUTIES • attend one or two meetings for classroom assignments prior to the festival.

• oversee personnel doing classroom setup.

• mark classrooms each changeover.

• rearrange furniture between classes, as needed.

• make contact with each instructor prior to class startups.

• be available as the point person to resolve instructor / student problems during the day.

The Wisconsin Shepherd

Contact Maralyn (920)528-8013 email: mfowlfarm@msn.com or Carol (920)758-2803 Fall 2015

Obituary Gordon Harlan Waite 1922 – 2015

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

Clinton, WI – Gordon Harlan Waite, age 93, of Clinton died on Wednesday, September 23 at his home. He was born June 9, 1922 at his parent’s home in Bradford Township, Rock EQUITY COOPERATIVE LIVESTOCK County, Wisconsin, moving to his farm on Highway 140 after marriage to Joan M. Ferin in 1952. That farm has been in SALES ASSOCIATION’S continuous Waite ownership since 1883, receiving Century Farm recognition in 1983 at the Wisconsin State Fair. Gordon graduated from Clinton High School in 1941, attended Farm Proven as one of the MOST COMPETITIVE & Industry Short Course at the University of Wisconsinforms of marketing lambs.

Madison and briefly substitute taught Agriculture at Clinton High School.

He is survived by his wife Joan and their five children: Janette (David) Moyer, Kathryn (Ronald) Braun, Margaret Waite, Gregory (Melanie) Waite, Jacquelyn (Glenn) Jackson; eleven grandchildren Jeffrey (Emily) Moyer, Michelle (Josh) Mott, Matthew (Sarah) Braun, Rhonda Braun, Travis Braun, Carmen Braun, Phillip Waite, JoAnna Waite, Sonja (TJ) Jackson, Marlina (Jimmy) Jackson, Dalton Jackson, and seven great-grandchildren. He is also survived by his brother Leon (Jeanette) Waite and sister Winnifred Bobholz. He was predeceased by his parents Walter and Eleanor (Dunn) Waite, sister Nelletta Noonan, brothers-in-law Carl Noonan and Paul Bobholz.

Gordon was well known as a sheep farmer and in the farming community, serving on the Board of Directors of both the Associated Farmers Co-op and Rock County Farm Bureau.

He was co-founder of the Rock County Sheep producers, a sheep leader for the Clinton 4-H Clubs for many years and was a past superintendent of the sheep department of the Rock County 4-H Fair. Gordon was a charter member of the Clinton Chapter of FFA, organized in 1938 and in 1983 was named an Honorary Chapter Farmer of the Clinton FFA. In 2005, the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative awarded him the Master Shepherd Award, Commercial Division.

During the 1940s, Gordon and his best friend and cousin Lyle Milner became members of the Flying Farmers organization and enjoyed many adventures (and misadventures) while flying Lyle’s airplane, including a trip to Pensacola Florida US Naval Base for a fly-in for the Flying Farmers. The plane did not have navigational instruments so they used a compass and a road map…and followed another Flying Farmer, who was likewise ill-equipped. Upon landing it was discovered that the pilots from both planes thought the other had instruments to direct them on the proper flight pattern!

FOR MORE INFORMATION The funeral service for Gordon Waite was held on Monday, Please Call 800-362-3989, ext 131.

September 28 at the Emerald Grove Church U.C.C., Emerald Grove, with Mike Ligman officiating. Burial was at the Clinton Cemetery. A FFA scholarship is being established in Gordon’s www.equitycoop.com memory.

Fall 2015 The Wisconsin Shepherd 15

LAMB AUCTION

IT’S THE WAY TO GO!

2015 Midwest Shetland Sheep Breeders Sheep & Fleece Show Kelly K. Bartels, MSSBA President/Show Chair Jefferson, WI - The 2015 Midwest Shetland Sheep Breeders Association sheep & fleece show at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival featured UK judges Gilbert & Jean Meikle.

Gilbert did the honors judging approximately 65 sheep and Jean was kind enough to offer her expertise judging the 35 fleeces entered in this year’s show. We had breeders and sheep from 6 states join us for this year’s festival and show, a friendly and fun time for all involved.

Gilbert and Jean Meikle hail from Scotland, specifically East Lothian and in 1988 they were able to purchase a small parcel of land and a house in Tyninghame East Lothian. There they were able to breed some commercial sheep, along with Soay sheep, Black Welsh Mountain sheep and Shetland sheep. The breeding of Soay Sheep led to him going to the Archipelago of St Kilda to study Soay Sheep. Once the St Baldred’s Flock of Shetland sheep was established, the Meikles competed in shows all over Scotland and the North of England with their Shetland and Black Welsh Mountain Sheep. There are very few trophies awarded by these shows that do not have the

name G E and J Meikle engraved on them. Gilbert is on the board of the Shetland Sheep Society, sits as Chairperson for the Judges and Inspectors Panel, and is a judge and inspector for the Shetland Sheep Society.

This year’s volunteers can be commended for a job well done. The show ran like a well-oiled machine thanks to hard working volunteers that went above and beyond to see that everything got done. Combining the photo contest, handmade competition and the hand spun skein competition into the main festival’s competitions this year seemed to go smoothly. Anyone wishing to continue to enter a Shetland entry into these competitions may still do so and MSSBA will continue to supply an additional award for those entry winners.

Ideas for next year include ways to attract more youth and new breeders to the show through some incentives that may be coming for a first-time exhibitor class award. It’s also possible that a ewe or ewe lamb will be offered as an award for new breeders.

The MSSBA 2015 Supreme Champion Shetland, Sheltering Pines Saliconal, a nine year old ewe shown by Kelly & Mike Bartels, OK Acres Shetlands, Monroe, WI. She was also the winner of the Sue Russo Award for Best Spotted, Colored or Modified Shetland.

Reserve Supreme Champion at the 2015 MSSBA show at Jefferson Emancipation Bruce, the first place yearling and Champion ram, shown by Erica Solis and Joel Helge of Emancipation Acres, Stoughton, WI.

LOOK FOR MORE FESTIVAL RESULTS, PHOTOS & DONOR LIST in the WINTER ISSUE!

The 2015 Reserve Champion Shetland Ewe and first place lamb, Sommarang Maegan, shown by Lori Stephenson, Oconomowoc, WI at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival.

16 The Wisconsin Shepherd

Fall 2015

Midwest Shetland Sheep Breeders Association Sheep Show Results Youth Showmanship 1st place: Taite Wicke 2nd place: Campbell Wicke 3rd place: James Wicke 4th place: Clayton Mahlkuch

Dam & Daughter 1st Mike & Kelly Bartels—OK Acres Shetlands 2nd Lori Stephenson—Sommarang Farm 3rd Clayton Mahlkuch—Clay-Mahl Farm Best Small Flock Garrett Ramsay—White Pine Shetlands Russ/Terry Dukerschein—Glen Tamarack Farm Lori Stephenson—Sommarang Farm

Senior Ram 1st Terri Yapp—OK Acres Elvis Yearling Ram 1st Erica Solis—Emancipation Bruce 2nd Kelly Bartels—OK Acres Danby 3rd Lori Stephenson—Sommarang Luca

Best Fleece on Hoof Debbie Powers—Shet-Tu Shetlands Erica Solis—Emancipation Acres Russ/Terry Dukerschein—Glen Tamarack Farm

Ram Lamb 1st Debbie Powers—Shet-Tu Yarrrow 2nd Terry Dukerschein—Glen Tamarack Jupiter 3rd Meghan Namaste—Wintertime Turbulant 4th Erica Solis—Emancipation Washburne

Supreme Champion: Mike & Kelly Bartels of OK Acres Shetlands w/Sheltering Pines Salicional Res. Supreme Champion: Erica Solis of Emancipation Acres w/Emancipation Bruce

Pair of Ram Lambs 1st Garrett Ramsay—White Pine Shetlands 2nd Russ/Terry Dukerschein—Glen Tamarack Farm 3rd Lori Stephenson—Sommarang Farm 4th Debbie Powers—Shet-Tu Shetlands

MSSBA Fleece Show Results

Champion Ram: Erica Solis—Emancipation Bruce Reserve Champion: Debbie Powers—Shet-Tu Yarrow Senior Ewe 1st Mike/Kelly Bartels—Shltg. Pines Salicional 2nd Mike/Kelly Bartels—OK Acres Shania 3rd Erica Solis—Emancipation Cleo 4th Lori Stephenson—Sommarang Ilena Yearling Ewe 1st Kelly Bartels—OK Acres Tiree 2nd Kelly Bartels—OK Acres Cardoness 3rd Sharrie Brockhaus—High Ridge Jasmine 4th Lori Stephenson—Sommarang Lira

Totals – Fleeces Entered 9 rooed fleeces 1 white lamb 7 colored lamb 5 white adult 13 colored adult Rooed Class: 1st Lori Stephenson 2nd Kelly Bartels 3rd Sherry Ecker Lamb White Class: 1st Kelly Bartels

Champion Ewe: Mike & Kelly Bartels— Sheltering Pines Salicional Reserve Champion Ewe: Lori Stephenson— Sommarang Maegan Fall 2015

White Adult Class: 1st Meghan Namaste 2nd Kelly Bartels 3rd Sherry Ecker Colored Adult Class: 1st Meghan Namaste 2nd Ricky LaCosse 3rd Ricky LaCosse

Mary Gibbings Best Grey Fleece (Special Award) Meghan Namaste

Ewe Lamb 1st Lori Stephenson—Sommarang Maegan 2nd Garrett Ramsay—White Pine Iana 3rd Terry Dukerschein—Glen Tam. Ganymede 4th Sharrie Brockhaus—High Ridge Wild Thing Pair of Ewe Lambs 1st Garrett Ramsay—White Pine Shetlands 2nd Erica Solis—Emancipation Acres 3rd Kelly Bartels—OK Acres Shetlands 4th Russ Dukerschein—Glen Tamarack Farm

Colored Lamb Class: 1st Meghan Namaste 2nd Kelly Bartels 3rd Kelly Bartels

RESULTS

Youth Judging Contest Youth Sweepstakes Go to www.wisbc.com Questions? Contact Todd Taylor toddtaylor@wisc.edu The Wisconsin Shepherd

17

Photo Contest Grows “Little Shepherd,” first place award winner in the Sheep & Kids category by Delight Walker, Waterloo, WI. “Outnumbered,” first place winner in the Scenic Photo category, submitted

by Wynn Wittkopf, Pewaukee, WI.

“Who Me?” taken by Kristin Boland, Luck, WI, receiving first place in the Just Lambs category.

“Like Mother, Like Son,” receiving top honors in the Photo Taken by Youth division, taken by Jackie Rosenbush, age 14, Sarona, WI.

Jefferson – The annual Photo Contest, jointly sponsored by the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op and Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, saw growth for 2015 with almost fifty entries with awards supported by six organizations and individuals. The contest is open to anyone and owning sheep or membership in the co-op is not required.

Supporters included: Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative, $50 cash award; The Banner Magazine, gift subscription; Ewesful Gifts, $50 gift certificate; Wisconsin Shepherd, up to four $25 cash awards; Windswept Crest Farm, Petzel Family, $50 gift certificate to Tractor Supply; Midwest Shetland Sheep Breeders Association.

“Big Mack,” taken

by Susie OlsonRosenbush, Sarona, WI and topping the entries in the Cover Photo division.

Categories: Just Lambs Scenic Photo First Place – Who Me? by Kristin Boland First Place – Outnumbered by Wynn Wittkopf Second Place – Fresh Straw by Jeff Nevens Second Place – Keep Running by Wynn Wittkopf Third Place – When’s Dessert? By Eric Larsen Third Place – We Prefer the Bike Path by Wynn Wittkopf Cover Photo Sheep & Kids First Place – Big Mack by Susie Olson-Rosenbush First Place – Little Shepherd by Delight Walker Second Place – Festival Bound by Wynn Wittkopf Second Place – Two Lambs by Leslie Nevens Third Place – Stud by Diane Christenson Third Place – My Sweetie by Diane Christenson Photo Taken by Youth First Place – Like Mother, Like Son by Jackie Rosenbush Second Place – Sunset on the Pasture by Abby Zera Third Place – What Do You Want? by Mike Boland 18 The Wisconsin Shepherd

Fall 2015

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Fall 2015

The Wisconsin Shepherd

19

2015 Open & Junior Fleece Show Results Judge – Letty Klein, Kalamazoo, Michigan Best of Show – Emily Selden Collins – Open II Junior Best of Show – Blake Sullivan – Junior II Reserve Junior Best of Show – Hannah Baljeu – Junior III Junior I 1. Andy Nevens – Targhee 2. Andy Nevens – Targhee 3. Andy Nevens – Targhee 4. Hayden Taylor – Columbia

Open III - 1 1. Isabela Castaneda – Romeldale/ CVM Reserve Division Champion 2. Isabela Castaneda – Romeldale/CVM 3. Isabela Castabeda – Romeldale/CVM 4. Laura Matthews – Shetland Open III – 2 1. Mary Waring – CVM Cross 2. Samantha Jones – Border Leicester/CVM/Jac 3. Emily Selden Collins – Corriedale 4. Mary Waring – CVM/Shetland

Junior II 1. Blake Sullivan – Border Leicester 2. Blake Sullivan – Border Leicester 3. Marissa Telderer – Icelandic 4. Hannah Baljeu – Romney

Open III – 3 1. thru 3. Beth Floyd – Jacob Open III – 4 1. Carol Wagner – Coopworth 2. Susan McFarland – Teeswater 3. Jerry Millikan – Lincoln 4. Christee McNeil – Teeswater/Coopworth

Junior III 1. Hannah Baljeu – CVM 2. Marissa Telderer – Icelandic 3. Marissa Telderer – Icelandic 4. Kevin Kitchen – Border Leicester Open I - 1 1. A&J Nevens – Targhee Division Champion 2. Ralph Giorno – Merino Reserve Division Champion 3. Wendy Tobiasz – Rambouillet 4. A&J Nevens – Targhee

Open III – 5 1. Michael Bates – Icelandic – Division Champion 2. Holly Marks – Icelandic 3. Laura Stremick-Thompson – Shetland 4. Ann Reomer - Icelandic

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Open I - 2 1 thru 4 – Cody Hiemke – Shropshire Open I - 3 1 thru 3 – Barb Salas – Commercial Coopworth Cross Open II - 1 1. Sandra Schrader – Cormo – Reserve Division Champion 2. Sandra Schrader – Cormo 3. Emily Selden Collins – Corriedale 4. John Jackl – South African Open II - 2 1. Emily Selden Collins – Corriedale – Division Champion 2. Samantha Jones – Border Leicester/CVM/Jacob 3. Karen Mallum – BFL/Clun Forest 4. Mary Waring – Corriedale Open II - 4 1. Melissa Wubben – Romney 2. Kathy McClure – Wensleydale 3. Jackie Sullivan – Border Leicester 4. Travis Wright – Leicester Longwool Open II - 5 1. Holly Marks – Iccelandic 2. Dennis Mahlkuch – Shetland 3. Dennis Mahlkuch – Shetland 20

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For more information call Tom Ostlie at 612-532-0966 or visit our website at www.centrallivestock.com The Wisconsin Shepherd

Fall 2015

Wisconsin State Fair 2015 Sheep Barn Hall of Fame Honorees

Honored at the 2015 Wisconsin State Fair during the Open Meat Breeds Show was Nils Nelson of Janesville, WI, longtime Dorset breeder and wellknown exhibitor. (l-r) Brian Bolan, State Fair Agriculture Director, Nils Nelson, Barb Bishop, Open Show Sheep Superintendent. Hall of Fame nominees are recognized for their support of the fair and their efforts on behalf of the industry.

Todd and Lynnette Taylor, Arlington, WI, were presented the Sheep Barn Hall of Fame award at the 2015 Wisconsin State Fair during the Wool Breeds Open Show by Brian Bolan, the fair’s Ag Director. The Taylors and their family have exhibited at and supported both the open and junior shows and the various youth activities the fair offers.

Thanks to Our 2015 Shepherds Auction Supporters!

Ketchum Sheep Equipment Mountainview Machine Maralyn Fowler, Croftland Farm Aceline Suffolks & Club Lambs Sara Hildebrandt, Troxel Columbias Tailwind Farm, Tim & Beth Miller Metro Hamps, Thorson Family Jim & Sue Rupnow Nevens Family Debbie Petzel Blain’s Farm & Fleet Milk Specialties Gasser’s Farm Stores Complete Feed Service Vita Plus Hunter Sheep Nutrition Fall 2015

Recognized for his long-time involve­ ment as a judge of the Wisconsin State Fair Wool Show and shearing contest was Dick Boniface, Cedar, MN, shown here with Brian Bolan, the fair’s Agriculture Director and Barb Bishop, Open Show Sheep Superintendent.

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21

Calendar of Events November 3-20 • North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE), Louisville, KY. (November 12-20 - NAILE Sheep Shows) www.livestockexpo.org November 4 • Pre-Symposium (DSANA Symposium November 5-7) Sheep Milk Cheese Making Course. Dave Thomas, 608 263-4306 dlthomas@wisc.edu November 5-7 • 21st Annual Dairy Sheep Association of North America (DSANA) Symposium. Pyle Center, University of Wisconsin-Madison Campus. Program: www.dsana.org, Bill Halligan, 308 235-5900 bill.halligan@hotmail.com, Dave Thomas, 608 263-4306, dlthomas@wisc.edu December 4-6 • Minnesota Lamb & Wool Producers Shepherd’s Holiday, Oak Ridge Conference Center, Chaska, MN Contact: Jeremy Geske, jeremy.geske@gmail.com December 5-6 • Beginning Sheep Shearing School, Sheep Unit, University of Wisconsin Arlington Agricultural Research Station, Arlington, WI. Registration/Information: Todd Taylor, 608 846-5858 toddtaylor@wisc.edu. Co-sponsored by Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative, www.wisbc.com

2016 January 15 • Ad/Copy Deadline, Wisconsin Shepherd Winter Issue. Advertising: Lynn Crooks 608 723-6817 alcrooks@tds. net; Copy, Bob Black, 920 623-3536 rbblack@powercom.net January 8-10 • Shepherds Weekend, Lansing, MI Information: Maury Kaercher, 269-569-9592 (cell) or kaercher@msu.edu January 12-14 • 2016 GrassWorks Grazing Conference, Chula Vista Resort, Wisconsin Dells. Info@grassworks.org

January 27-30 • ASI Annual Convention, 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. Information: www.indianheadsheep.com or Tim Jergenson tim.jergenson@ces.uwex.edu March 12 • Arlington Sheep Day, Public Events Facility, UWArlington Ag Research Station, Arlington. WI. Dave Thomas, dlthomas@wisc.edu 608 263-4306 or Todd Taylor, 608 8465858 toddtaylor@wiscmail.wisc.edu March 12 • Annual Meeting - Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative, Public Events Facility, UW-Arlington Ag Research Station, Arlington, WI. Contact: 608 868-2505 or wisbc@ centurytel.net March 19 • Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association Spring Shearing School. Information: www.indianheadsheep.com March 18-20 • Madison Knitters Guild Knit-In, Alliant Energy Center , Madison, www.madisonknittersguild.com April 15 • Ad/Copy Deadline Wisconsin Shepherd Spring Issue. Advertising: Lynn Crooks 608 723-6817 alcrooks@tds. net; Copy, Bob Black, 920 623-3536 rbblack@powercom.net June 4 • Spring Preview Show, Wisconsin Livestock Breeders Association (WLBA) www.wisconsinlivestockbreeders.com June 11-12 • WLBA Livestock Show Camp, www. wisconsinlivestockbreeders.com August 4-14 • Wisconsin State Fair, www.wistatefair.com September 8-11 • Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson, WI www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival. com

Wisconsin State Fair Livestock Premier Exhibitor Competition Results Bernie O’Rourke, UW Extension Youth Specialist West Allis - There are so many reasons to attend Wisconsin The Wisconsin State Fair would also like to thank the generous State Fair – for some it’s the rides and others it’s the food. award sponsors for these events.

But for more than 300 4-H and FFA members, one of their favorite reasons to attend is to compete in the Premier Top 10 in Sheep Exhibitor competitions.

1st Hannah Taylor, Columbia County.

The Premier Exhibitor competitions are educational 2nd Reese Johnston, Polk County contests which test junior exhibitors’ project knowledge 3rd Casey Lobdell, Lafayette County in a variety of events. The species event included: judging competitions, skillathons, knowledge quizzes, showmanship, 4th Justin Taylor, Columbia County and an industry interview. Premier Exhibitor contest 5th RaeAnna Johnston, Polk County opportunities were offered for the following species: beef 6th Kailen Smerchek, Marathon County cattle, dairy cattle, goats, sheep, swine and rabbits. Awards 7th Hannah Schultz, Jefferson County were given to the top ten exhibitors in each species contest 8th Katelyn Schmoll, Marathon County and also to the top exhibitor in each event. Please join us as we congratulate all participants and winners who have 9th Vanessa Roberts, Manitowoc County demonstrated exceptional project and industry awareness. 10th Carson Lobdell, Lafayette County 22 The Wisconsin Shepherd Fall 2015

Minnesota Bred Ewe Sale

TOGETHER Wisconsin’s Sheep Industry!

Join the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op today! wisbc.com

OLMSTED FAIRGROUNDS • ROCHESTER, MN SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH, 2015 Show: 9:00 a.m. • Sale: 1 p.m.

Featuring: Hampshires, Suffolks, Dorsets, Southdowns, Columbias, Wether Dams To consign to the sale or for more info or catalog, call 507-760-0949

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

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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

3696 Country Aire Drive Cedarburg, WI 53012 262-377-1491 • Dick 262-375-0814 • Mark rsrmke@att.net 4 Miles East of Jackson on SE Corner of Hwy. 60 and Country Aire Drive (Hwy. M)

Published by The Wisconsin Shepherd

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

• Scrapie Certified

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

The Business Directory

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

Texels – to put the MEAT back in your sheep!

“Ewe” too can join The Business Directory Members pay $110 for 4 issues or $40/issue; non-members $140 for 4 issues or $50/issue.

Call Lynn Crooks at 608 723-6817 Fall 2015

The Wisconsin Shepherd

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