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The Wisconsin Shepherd
Winter 2013
Arlington Beginning Sheep Shearing School The Annual Beginning Sheep Shearing School was held at the Arlington Agricultural Research Station Sheep Unit of the University of Wisconsin-Madison on December 1-2. A total of 16 students from Wisconsin, Illinois, and Michigan participated in the school, and over 160 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 two sons, Josh and Jordan, Todd Taylor, manager of the Arlington Sheep Unit, and Dave Thomas, Professor of Animal Sciences. In addition, several members of the Taylor family and other UW-Madison employees provided valuable assistance in conducting the school. The shearing method taught was originally developed in New Zealand and allows an experienced shearing to remove the wool from a sheep in 40 to 50 “strokes” or “blows” with the
shearing machine. In addition, students are provided instruction in the different types of shearing machines and how to properly set-up and maintain the machine for optimum cutting of the wool. 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. Wisconsin ranks 16th among U.S. states in total sheep numbers but 9th for number of sheep operations. Therefore, Wisconsin flocks are relatively small, averaging about 25 breeding sheep per flock. Professional shearing crews are reluctant to come onto a farm to shear a small number of sheep, and when they do, the cost per sheep is much greater than for larger flocks. The shearing school provides these small flock owners with the training they need to effectively shear their own sheep. Many students of these schools will further develop their shearing skills, offering their services to
Sixteen students from three states attended the 2012 Beginning Shearing School hosted by the UW Arlington Sheep Unit and Shepherd Todd Taylor (behind sheep). Students are also provided with instructional materials including a DVD on shearing methods, proper handling of wool and machine maintenance provided by the American Sheep Industry Association. Joe Huber, professional shearer from Wisconsin Dells, was the lead instructor for the school. Photo supplied by University of Wisconsin Madison CALS their neighbors and, in a few cases, going on to professional shearing. The Arlington Beginning
Shearing School is co-sponsored by the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, College
of Agricultural and Life Sciences through its Department of Animal Sciences and the Arlington Agricultural Research Station.
Wisconsin Southdown Association 2013 Stars Sale and Starter Ewe Program The Wisconsin Southdown Association has scheduled the 2013 Southdown Stars Sale and Symposium for Saturday, April 20 at the UW Agriculture Research Center Public Events Building, Arlington, WI. Pictures of all sale sheep will be published in an online catalog. Bidders who cannot attend the sale in person are invited to view the sheep online and bid on the “real time” bidding phone line. Details about how to participate, as well as the sale catalog, results and YouTube video of the 2012 sale, can be found on the association’s website, www. wisconsinsouthdowns.com. Several short learning ses sions will start the day with basic information necessary to having a successful Southdown flock. Chris, Kent and Dan Spilde will teach a session on fitting a South down for show. There will be a special hands-on youth session
and ASBA (American Southdown Breeders Association) President, Barbara Bishop, will give an update on news in the Southdown breed at the national level, including the new Ectodermal Dysplasia (Hairy Lamb) policy the ASBA recently adopted. Ewe lambs purchased at this year’s sale will be eligible to win one of two $250 cash jackpots sponsored by the WI Southdown Association. This cash award will be given to the two junior members with the highest number of points earned in the ASBA Pot O’Gold futurities. This jackpot is in addition to any monies awarded by the ASBA. The association will also award the 2013 “Starter Ewe Lambs” to several Wisconsin youth at the event. Starter ewe lamb appli cations are due on March 15th and can be found at the website listed above. Prior applicants are encouraged to apply. The Starter
Ewe Lamb program is in its 6th year and has been a popular way for youth who currently don’t have Southdowns to get a start in the breed. The youth are provided a high quality ewe lamb and mentorship from the donating breeder up through the first year of breeding. Southdowns numbers have significantly in creased in Wisconsin youth sheep projects partly due to the network of breeders in the state who have made high quality Southdowns breeding stock very accessible. The Southdown’s moderate size, good temperament and conven ience of showing slick shorn have also contributed to the attraction to the breed. If you are unable to visit the association’s website and need more details on the event, please contact Amy Jones at 920-2535473, circlejsouthdowns@hughes. net or Troy Lobdell at 608-4821502, lobdell@yousq.net.
Haley Yunker (left), Southdown breeder and ewe lamb donor from St.Croix Falls, WI, awards Morgan Eilers, Waupaca, WI, (right) with a Southdown Fall Ewe at the 2012 Southdown Stars Sale. The 2013 sale is scheduled for April 20 at the UW-Arlington Farms Public Events Building, where the Wisconsin Southdown Association will award ‘Starter Ewe Lambs’ to several Wisconsin youth. Wisconsin Southdown Association file photo © 2012 Badgerland Financial, ACA
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