board candidates MARGARET ELLER – MOUNTAIN TIME ZONE CANDIDATE FOR DIRECTOR I am honored to have served on CSBA’s Board of Directors since 2018; I seek support for another term. My husband and I, both retired, have a diversified operation in central MT with irrigated hay, dryland pasture, cow/calf pairs, and 70+ ewes. We market lambs at 90 pounds through local sale barns. Thus, commercial aspects of the sheep industry are important to me, and my position as Commercial Production Committee chair has felt like a good fit. Upholding the committee’s mission— to support and advance the use of Columbia sheep in the commercial sheep industry—is not a solo job. I depend on committee members who share my passion for the mission; I am grateful to those who help carry the workload. My candidacy is based on the committee’s record of achievement, coupled with my commitment to an expanded role for Columbias in the commercial sheep industry. The Commercial Production Committee spearheaded an update of breed standards, revised a fledgling Certified Ram Program that has grown in support and stature, created the three-part wool video on the CSBA website, provides content to Production Corner on the CSBA website, and submits tiny “Knowledge Nuggets” to SoC, as well as features and articles for SoC, The Shepherd, The Banner, regional Ag newsletters, and local newspapers. Current efforts have been guided by CSBA members who responded to our Fall 2021 survey, You voiced support for integrating data into flock management. In response, we provided a comprehensive, free, voluntary flock records tool. The portion of the tool devoted to lamb productivity automatically computes Weight/Day of Age, Average Daily Gain, Adjusted Weaning Weight (AWW) and AWW Ratio. Both the survey results and the Data Collection Tool are available on the Production Corner tab of CSBA’s website. You expressed interest in a wool workshop at NSS. In response, the committee is organizing “Wool—Tools for Evaluation,” a three-part workshop that includes: • A hands-on educational session with Dr. Whit Stewart. • An opportunity for attendees to practice wool judging and compare their judgments to wool lab data and wool experts’ comments. • A display of fleeces with undesirable fibers that can disqualify Columbias from registration. With continued support from CSBA members, and forward-thinking, hard-working committee members who envision a larger role for Columbia Sheep in the sheep industry, I hope to continue my work. Thank you for your support.
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Speaking of Columbias
