Ringside_June_25_Digital

The Ultimate Sheep Magazine Volume 19: June 2025

FIGHT HEAT STRESS BEFORE IT STARTS Algoguard is Algoguard is dedicated dedicated for for a a direct direct use use on on farm, farm, for for use use in in mash mash feeds feeds in in order order to to improve its its homogenization homogenization in in feed, feed, Algoguard Algoguard reinforces reinforces gut gut integrity integrity and and improve immune function function that that one one highly highly imoacted imoacted during during heat heat stress. stress. immune

TARGETED ACTION AGAINST HEAT STRESS Preservation of gut barrier function Modulation of the immune response Secure performance

WATCH FOR WARNING SIGNS BEHAVIORAL OR PHYSICAL CHANGES Lower feed Lower feed intake intake Poor fertility/conception Poor fertility/conception Reduced weight Reduced weight gain gain Carcass quality Carcass quality drops drops

KEEP ‘EM EM COOL! ‘

WHAT TO WHAT TO DO DO TO TO PREVENT PREVENT HEAT HEAT STRESS STRESS

Feed early morning or late evening Use fans and shaded areas Rotate clean, fresh water sources Offer electrolytes to replenish what’s what s lost Implement Algoguard!

Algoguard! ’

MISHA PORTER mporter@olmix.com

Make plans to join us in September for good food, sort through the group of bred ewes for sale and look through all the buck lambs we have for sale also. Watch our Facebook for details.

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Integrity Integrity Livestock Livestock Sales Sales Integrity Livestock Sales Integrity Livestock Sales Mike Mike Crowder Crowder Mike Crowder Mike Crowder 765-366-3135 765-366-3135 765-366-3135 765-366-3135 mike@integritylivestocksales.com mike@integritylivestocksales.com mike@integritylivestocksales.com 4 RINGSIDE mike@integritylivestocksales.com

EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL EDITORIAL Letter From The Editor............................................page 5

Letter Letter From From The The Editor............................................page Editor............................................page 55 55 5 The Editor............................................page Letter From The Editor............................................page Letter From The Editor............................................page Letter From TheInformation........................................page Editor............................................page Subscription 75 Subscription Subscription Information......................................pages Information......................................pages 8 78 Subscription Information........................................page Subscription Information......................................pages Subscription Information........................................page Subscription Information......................................pages From The Kitchen.....................................................page 98 8 7 From From TheThe Kitchen.....................................................page Kitchen.....................................................page 9 9 From The Kitchen.....................................................page From Kitchen.....................................................page Kitchen.....................................................page Industry News.........................................pages 11, 13, 16-179 9 9 9 From TheThe Kitchen.....................................................page Industry Industry News..........................................pages News..........................................pages 10,12,16,21 News.........................................pages 11,10,12,16,21 Industry News..........................................pages 10,12,16,21 Industry News.........................................pages 11,13,1713,16-17 16-17 Upcoming Industry Events.....................................page Industry News..........................................pages 10,12,16,21 Protein Protein Requirements Requirements For For Sheep.................pages Sheep.................pages 17, 17, 20 20 Upcoming Industry Events.....................................page Protein Requirements For Sheep.................pages Upcoming Industry Advertising Pricing..................................................page 17 20 17 17 Protein Requirements ForEvents.....................................page Sheep.................pages 17, 17, 20 Breed Breed News.....................................................pages News.....................................................pages 22-23 22-23 Advertising Pricing..................................................page 17 Breed News.....................................................pages 22-23 Sibling Spotlight...............................................pages 18-19 Advertising Pricing..................................................page 17 Breed News.....................................................pages 22-23 RSG RSG Foundation......................................................page Foundation......................................................page 24 24 Sibling Spotlight...............................................pages 18-19 RSG Foundation......................................................page 24 Freedom Fest Show Results.................................page 23 RSG Foundation......................................................page 24 18-19 Sibling Spotlight...............................................pages Advertising Advertising Index...................................................page Index...................................................page 25 20 25 Freedom Fest Show Results.................................page Advertising Index...................................................page Breed News.............................................................page 22 Advertising Index...................................................page 25 25 20 Freedom Fest Show Results.................................page Breed News.............................................................page Boys Of Summer Sire & Semen Catalog..............page 24 22 Breed News.............................................................page 22 Advertising Index...................................................page Advertising Index....................................................page 25 30

Advertising Index...................................................page 30

STAFF STAFFCONTACT CONTACT CONTACT STAFF CONTACT STAFF MORGAN MORGANHAUGER HAUGER HAUGER MORGAN HAUGER MORGAN Owner/Creative Owner/Creative Director Director Owner/Creative Director Owner/Creative Director 765.541.1932 765.541.1932 765.541.1932 STAFF CONTACT 765.541.1932 ringsidesheep@gmail.com ringsidesheep@gmail.com ringsidesheep@gmail.com STAFF CONTACT ringsidesheep@gmail.com

STAFF CONTACT

MORGAN HAUGER SOCIAL SOCIAL MEDIA MEDIA SOCIAL MEDIA MORGAN HAUGER SOCIAL MEDIA Owner/Creative Director

FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK: Ringside Ringside Sheep Sheep Magazine Magazine FACEBOOK: Ringside Sheep Magazine Owner/Creative Director 765.541.1932 FACEBOOK: Ringside Sheep Magazine FACEBOOK: FACEBOOK: Simplicity Simplicity Creative Creative FACEBOOK: Simplicity Creative 765.541.1932 ringsidesheep@gmail.com FACEBOOK: Simplicity Creative ringsidesheep@gmail.com Owner/Creative Director

MORGAN HAUGER 765.541.1932 ringsidesheep@gmail.com

SOCIAL MEDIA SOCIAL MEDIA FACEBOOK: Ringside Sheep Magazine FACEBOOK: Simplicity Creative FACEBOOK: Ringside Sheep Magazine FACEBOOK: Simplicity Creative

SOCIAL MEDIA

FACEBOOK: Ringside Sheep Magazine FACEBOOK: Simplicity Creative

LET T ER FROM TH E EDIT O R BIG CHANGES, BIGGER DREAMS, SAME GOAL As I sit down to write this, I can’t help but realize this will be the final “Letter from the Editor” I sign as Morgan Hauger.

Lately, that name has been on my heart a little extra. I’ve been so incredibly blessed throughout my life— and the name Hauger has been a part of every opportunity, every chapter, and every memory I hold dear, especially within the sheep industry. My dad, Jason, started raising sheep at the age of 12, and ever since, our family has been woven into the fabric of this incredible community. Growing up in the show ring as “one of the Hauger girls” is something I will always, always cherish. Just writing that pulls on my heartstrings!

While it’s a bittersweet change to let go of a name that’s meant so much to me, I’m excited for the future and what it holds. I’ll be stepping into this next chapter with my fiancé, continuing my journey in the sheep industry—not leaving it by any means, just paving a new path together. And of course, my family will still be right beside me.

It feels like such a joyful time right now, not just for me, but for so many of you. As I scroll through social media lately, it’s been full of life’s big moments—marriages, graduations, pregnancies, and celebrations of all kinds. It’s been so encouraging to see the sheep community show up for each other, whether it’s in person or a simple “like” on Facebook. The support this industry gives—inside the show ring and out—is something truly special.

Now, as we head into the busy, chaotic, and exciting summer show season, I’m looking forward to seeing many of your familiar faces! I’ll be at shows capturing those one-of-a-kind ring shots, unforgettable handshakes, and of course, our favorite candid moments for “Around the Ring.”

And in more big news—I'm thrilled to officially announce that I’m taking Simplicity Creative and Ringside Sheep Magazine FULL TIME! That means exciting updates and improvements are on the horizon. I'm now booking: – Social media management – Graphic design – Website creation and management – Branded apparel shops for your operation – Photography & video projects – And just about anything creative you’ve been dreaming up!

If there’s a project on your mind, don’t wait—reach out and let’s bring it to life.

Thank you all for the continued support, the kind words, the encouragement, and the stories you share. See you all soon this summer!

THANK YOU FOR JOINING US RINGSIDE!

Morgan Hauger

RINGSIDE 5

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AD DEADLINE: OCTOBER 13 PRINT-READY ADS DUE: OCTOBER 20 RINGSIDESHEEP@GMAIL.COM

8 RINGSIDE

AMERICAN LAMB SKEWER BOARD

4 SERVINGS

35 MINUTES

INGREDIENTS 1-2 LB AMERICAN LAMB SHOULDER OR LEG (BONELESS) 1 RED PEPPER (CUT INTO 1 INCH PIECES FOR THE SKEWER) 1/2 ONION (CUT INTO 1 INCH CHUNKS FOR THE SKEWER) 1/2 CUP PITTED OLIVES 1 CUP CHERRY TOMATOES 2 TBSP FRESH PARSLEY & DILL MARINADE: 4 TBSP OLIVE OIL 3 TSP LEMON JUICE 4 CLOVES MINCED GARLIC 1 TSP SMOKED PAPRIKA FRESH PARSLEY SALT & PEPPER SIDE SAUCES: 5 OZ FETA CHEESE BLOCK 2 TBSP GREEK YOGURT 2 TSP LEMON JUICE OR LEMON ZEST 2 TBSP OLIVE OIL STORE BOUGHT TZATZIKI STORE BOUGHT PESTO

DIRECTIONS 1.HEAT OVEN TO 425 F 2.LINE TWO BAKING SHEETS WITH PARCHMENT PAPER 3.CUT UP YOUR PARSLEY AND DILL FINELY 4. CUT YOUR AMERICAN LAMB SHOULDER INTO 1" CHUNKS TO FIT ONTO THE SKEWERS AND ADD THEM INTO A BOWL 5. FOR THE MARINADE (INGREDIENTS ON THE NEXT PAGE), COMBINE OLIVE OIL, LEMON JUICE, MINCED GARLIC, CHOPPED PARSLEY & DILL, AND SPICES IN A SEPARATE BOWL AND MIX WELL 6. ADD MARINADE TO YOUR LAMB AND MIX WELL. IDEALLY, COVER THE LAMB AND LET MARINATE IN THE FRIDGE FOR AT LEAST 2 HOURS. 7. ADD LAMB ON SKEWER AND MIX IN SOME VEGGIES OR OLIVE EVERY OTHER LAMB CHUNK YOU ADD ON. 8.PUT THE SKEWERS ON THE BAKING SHEET ABOUT 1/2" APART FROM ONE ANOTHER 9.BAKE FOR 10 MINUTES AND THEN FLIP THE SKEWERS AROUND AND BAKE FOR ANOTHER 10 MINUTES 10.OPTIONAL: FOR AN EXTRA 2-5 MINUTES AT THE END, PUT THE OVEN ON BROIL TO GET A CRUST ON THE OUTSIDE OF THE LAMB SKEWERS 11.SERVE RIGHT AWAY! WHIPPED FETA RECIPE: 1.TO MAKE THE WHIPPED FETA, COMBINE FETA CHEESE, YOGURT AND LEMON JUICE IN A FOOD PROCESSOR 2.BLEND IN THE OLIVE OIL TO MAKE IT THICK AND CREAMY 3.ADD TO A BOWL AND SERVE RIGHT AWAY 4.THE WHIPPED FETA WILL STAY FRESH IN THE FRIDGE COVERED FOR UP TO 5 DAYS THE FOLLOWING TIME AND TEMPERATURE PARAMETERS GROUND LAMB INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 160°F ALL OTHER CUTS INTERNAL TEMPERATURE OF 145°F, WITH A 3 MINUTE REST

INDUSTRY NEWS PRODUCERS GET TARGETED EDUCATION American Solar Grazing Association Treasurer Chad Raines spent a year studying solar grazing before he ever turned his sheep out onto a site. In early May, he was on hand as the American Lamb Board’s Targeted Grazing Workshop in Sulphur Springs, Texas, tried to teach sheep producers everything they needed to know about solar in two and a half days.

“I wish I’d had something like this when I was getting started,” said Raines, who runs 10,000 head of owned and leased sheep with a partner on a handful of solar sites in Arkansas, Louisiana and Texas.

“It’s been a great introduction to solar grazing.”

While veteran solar grazer JR Howard and ALB’s Camren Maierle served as official instructors for the workshop, they turned to Raines for his perspective on the industry regularly during two days of classroom instruction before workshop attendees visited a solar site grazed by Howard’s Texas Solar Sheep on the third day.

“They didn’t have a certification course like this when I got started,” Raines said. “So, I was just out there trying to learn it on my own.”

Fortunately, he had some mentors in fellow Texas grazers Ely Valdez and Howard. They led him to ASGA, which was developing online resources for grazers, and his education took off from there. Now, he’s looking at plans to run up to 20,000 sheep on solar sites within the next few years.

“Solar grazing really saved our family farm,” said Raines, who was a fourth-generation cotton grower in Lamesa, Texas. “We were struggling with cotton and dug ourselves a hole with it. We were digging out of it with sheep, but at a much slower rate than we are now thanks to solar grazing. It’s an exciting time for the sheep industry. I love the fact that my oldest son is now working for me.

And my younger son is in college but when he finishes, he can come and work with us too if that’s what he wants. Without solar grazing, that wouldn’t have been possible.”

As was the case with previous grazing workshops hosted by ALB, some attendees left the training with a new determination to move their sheep operations toward contract grazing. Others decided the opportunity wasn’t the right fit and more than a few fell somewhere in the middle as they were a bit overwhelmed by the challenge yet intrigued by the opportunity.

“A ranch we lease a bunch of sheep from as at this workshop last year,” said Raines. “They like solar grazing, but realized it wasn’t for them. They didn’t want to deal with all of the paperwork and jumping through hoops that comes with this industry. But they still wanted to

be a part of it. So, they leased their sheep to us and we run them on solar. They get a check and are part of solar grazing without the hassle.

“Your mindset really has to change to do this. Yes, you’re still managing a flock and managing grass, but you have to do things a little differently on these sites. You have to realize this is a service industry. My sheep take the place of lawn mowers. There are places where I’m rotating earlier than I normally would, and it’s not because I’ve run out of grass or I’m worried about overgrazing. It’s because I’ve got other places that really need to be hit.”

GET CERTIFIED Students of the school will receive a USB drive featuring ASI’s Targeted Grazing 101 and Targeted Grazing Handbook. They also received an ASGA certification for attending the workshop, which could potentially open the door to more grazing opportunities – especially for those just getting started with an opportunity that has excited the American sheep industry like no other in the past 50 years.

“That’s why I’m here,” said Matt Kraus, whose K-Bar Resource Management offers small-scale solar grazing in south Texas. Based in Falls City – south of San Antonio – he has grazed sites for a couple of years now. “It’s always good to see what other people are doing and what’s working for them. I haven’t done any mowing yet because I’m on mostly smaller sites. But it sounds like I might have to be open to doing that in the future.”

During the site visit, Kraus spent some time examining the Hustler brand commercial mowers that Howard uses almost daily in his hybrid model of service, which combines grazing, mowing and spraying to control vegetation on solar sites.

Having worked with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Resources Conservation Service for more than a decade, Kraus has experience in vegetation management and developing grazing plans.

Solar grazing provided him with an opportunity to get into the sheep industry.

“At the peak of things, we had about 750 ewes,” he said. “Last year was pretty dry, so we scaled back a bit. I’ve got a small place at home to put some sheep on when they aren’t on solar. I’ve done some targeted grazing for about 10 years at home, so now I’m just applying it to solar.”

Certification in hand, Kraus said the three-day trip to northeast Texas proved well worth the time and financial investment.

“It’s been a good training,” he added. “I appreciate all of the speakers and their input and hearing the questions that everyone

Saturday, July 26th 7am – 9am 9am

Schedule of Event Tuesday, July 22nd 6 am

All Barns Open for Arrival

Wednesday, July 23rd 4 pm – 5 pm

Youth Contest Check In, Exhibit Hall

Promotional Poster and Photo can be turned in

Thursday, July 24th 8 am – 9 am

9 am – 6 pm 10 am 10am – 6pm 12 pm – 5 pm 1 pm 4 pm

Youth Contest Check In, Exhibit Hall

Promotional Poster and Photo turn in

Registration Paper Check-In, Exhibit Hall Sales Talk, Ring 1 Vendors/Silent Auction/Exhibit Hall Open Skill-A-Thon open, Exhibit Hall Livestock Judging Contest, Ring 1 Processing Plant Tour, Maxwell

Friday, July 25th 7am – 9am

Complimentary Donuts

8am – 9am

Market Lamb & Wether Dam Weigh-In & and Market Lamb Breed Classification Registration Paper Check-In

8am – Noon

10am – 6pm 12pm 12:30 pm 1 pm-3pm 3 pm

5 – 7 pm 7 - 8 pm

Ring 1 – Judge: Randell Von Krosigk Tunis, Hampshire -Slick, Dorset Advantage, Montadale, Babydoll Southdown, North Country Cheviot, Southdown, Border Cheviot Ring 2 - Judge: Justin Benz Oxford, Horned Dorset, Natural Coloreds, Natural Colored Romney, Romney, Lincoln, Hampshire Fitted, Border Leicester, Rambouillet, Corriedale, Valais Blacknose, Cotswold 10am – 6pm 6 pm 7 pm 7pm

Vendors/Silent Auction/ Exhibit Hall Open Contest Awards Program, Ring 1 Cornhole Tournament, Ring 1 Pizza Party, Sheep Barn

Sunday, July 27th 9 am

Breeding show Rams followed by Ewes

Ring 1 - Judge: Randell Von Krosigk Shropshire, Polled Dorsets-Slick, Suffolk-Slick, Kathadin

Exhibit Hall

Ring 2 - Judge: Justin Benz Dorper, Polled Dorset-Fitted, Suffolk-Fitted, Columbia, Texel, White Dorper

Exhibit Hall

10am – 2pm

8 am – 10 am Showmanship Entries Due, Exhibit Hall 8:30 am Exhibitor Meeting, Ring 1 10am

Complimentary Donuts, Exhibit Hall Breeding show Rams followed by Ewes

YSE Photo and Breed Photos, wear your YSE shirt

Market Lamb Show followed by Wether Dams Market Lamb – Judge: Kyla Mennen Vendors/Silent Auction/ Exhibit Hall Open All Sheep Must Be In Place Showmanship Preliminaries, Ring 1 Snow Cone Truck, free snow cones Skill-A-Thon, Exhibit Hall Team showmanship, Ring 1 immediately following Supreme Showmanship Old Timers Showmanship, Ring 1 Exhibitor Luau Meal, Pioneer Building Slip Slide located on north side of fairgrounds

Vendors/Silent Auction/ Exhibit Hall Open

Supreme Drives will begin 30 minutes following completion of the last breed Scholarships Presented Supreme Breeding Ram Drive followed by Supreme Breeding Ewe Drive All sheep may leave after sheep are shown, however those exhibitors with a breed champion are asked to stay for the Supreme drive on Sunday.

8 pm Barns closed and all exhibitors must be off fairgrounds.

2024 WEEK ONE SUPREME CHAMPION EWE Suffolk

National Lincoln Show National Polly Hopkins Border Leicester Show National Eastern Regional Southdown Show National Northeastern Regional Dorper Show Northeast Regional Polled Dorset & Dorset Advantage Show Northeast Regional Katahdin Show Northeast Regional Shropshire Show Northeast Regional Oxford Show Northeast Regional Tunis Show Eastern Regional Natural Colored Fine & Medium Show

2024 WEEK TWO SUPREME CHAMPION EWE Romney

West Springfield, Mass.

expansion might not bemore captured bywith the inventory had for them.that There’s always to learn somethingsurvey. like this.”

Increased SOLAR, SOLAR,slaughter SOLAR might indicate some growth.

I expect to exhibit some normal seasonal behavior if a Labeled asprices a Targeted Grazing Workshop, the training in Texasbuthad domestic declines there is some opportunity decided leanproduction toward solar grazing.

Texas is home to some offor thehigher prices.solar Retail lamb prices have beenand competitive – atlargest times – with largest sites in the United States is one of the beef in the past year andWith highabeef prices aregrazer likely such to continue. producers of solar energy. veteran solar as While not directly impacting lamb or meat prices, the discovery Howard tapped to lead many of the classroom sessions, he spoke of screwworms cow in southern Mexico shouldasbeit applied of interest. first-hand aboutonhisa experience with solar grazing to Even though it seems away, keeping screwworms eradicated topics ranging fromfar managing vegetation to developing bids forin the United States is hugely important for all livestock producers.

The sites and breeding the right sheep for the job. ranch level costs of dealing withmanagement screwwormsforwould likely be Solar companies need vegetation two main prohibitive. reasons: to eliminate potential shade on the solar panels and to What happens tariffs willlends be anaimportant factor this year. Tariffs mitigate fire risk.on Using sheep more positive public on imported lamb should in agricultural higher domestic benefiting perception to building solar result sites on land, prices and is often producers.

Yet, higher pricesInwill impactsheep what consumers required by zoning regulations. addition, grazing hasbuy, proven an opposite effect on purchases and prices. tohaving be a more economical approach to vegetation management than simply mowing the entire site.

MICHIGAN HIRES NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR While the financial benefits of grazing have proven a boon to producers, there can beBranch, downsides.

Elaine Palm of West Mich., was recently hired as the “Site income can be a crutch that allows you overlook sheep Michigan Sheep Producers Association newtoexecutive director. Palm health,” Howard said.

“I still want a really good sheep program replaces Samantha Bos, who concluded her duties with the to fall back on because never know when rates might down. organization in we January.

Bos led the pay organization forgofour years.

Don’t go out and buy a bunch of junky sheep just to have something Palm works alongside her parents – Jim and Sherrie Bristol – on their tonorthern put on a site.

You still need to have sheep.”her first farm in 2015 Michigan sheep farm.

She good purchased Texas A&MaAgriLife Assistant Professor andadding Extension to build second-generation business, valueSheep to theand flock Goat Specialist Jake Thorne, Ph.D., reinforced the need for through sales of meat, raw wool and superior genetics. She grew up developing the 4-H, rightFFA kindand of sheep for themember job, adding youa degree as an active MSPA youth andthat holds shouldn’t “force the wrong sheep into bad situation.” She has an from Michigan State University in aga communications.

The right sheephistory depends your region and climate to some degree, employment of on working with non-profits. but“The parasite resistance is the biggestisattribute for grazers the strength of this organization in its people, and weinhave wet, humid areas of and Eastpartnerships,” Texas, where the workshop was forward conducted. incredible people Palm said. “I look to “You want a forage-based flock,” he said.

“You need ewes that don’t building strong relationships and communicating with current and need year-round supplementation and can stay in proper condition prospective members.” (with a year-round body Schut condition score ofPalm’s three).skills Theyand should be MSPA President John applauded long-term healthy overall and appropriate size.” commitment to the organization.

Smaller – such as Dorpers, Katahdins, St. Croix and other hair “Elaineewes brings an extensive history of sheep and agricultural sheep breeds to – tend to be more profitable and a better fit her in this experience the position, and we are excited to have serve the climate. organization,” he said. “It is a great time to be involved in the Like many solar grazers,with Howard has often turned leasing sheep industry and working professionals such astoher.” from reputable when hefor finds himself needingfoundation additionalof Palm praised producers her predecessors building a strong mouths to fulfill his contracts. programs including MSPA’s Shepherds Symposium, summer picnic, a “That’s a good way to get into grazing,”auction, he said.quarterly “Or you can blossoming online sheep andsolar equipment webinars contract with a mowing company that needs sheep on its sites. and newsletters, and frequent email blasts focused on training, That’s good wayand to get experience. hardest site you’ll ever eventa updates, useful industryThe news and information.

Sheget is credits your first one. After that, you’ll havethe something to show solar previous leadership within organization for the encouraging companies.” her toward achieving goals and she is eager for the opportunity to

fulfill ASGA the sameREACHES role for producers of all THE ages. ARRAY ACROSS “I’m looking forward to taking COMPANIES the baton and keep the organization TO SOLAR moving forward,” Palm said.

“I that thewere timing rightonforMay me, our Representatives from a dozen solarfeel companies onishand our farm business to more step into role.”

9 in family Sulphurand Springs, Texas, to learn aboutthis how and why they Palm and her husband, Rick, have two young children. should use sheep on their sites. The What to Expect When You’re

Expecting Sheep workshop was put on by the American Solar Grazing ADSBS ANNOUNCES 2025 SHOWS Association and followed a three-day American Lamb Board workshop for sheep producers to get into solar grazing. its two The American Dorper Sheeplooking Breeders’ Society has announced Bothnationally workshops visited Enel North America’s Stampede Solar Show Project& Sale sponsored shows and sales. The Mid-America in nearby Texas.

Sheep on the site managed

by JR States will beSaltillo, held April 10-12, in Duncan, Okla.,arewhile the Southern Howard’s Sheep.

Show Texas & SaleSolar will be June 26-28, in Cookeville, Tenn.

While many of attendees there to the earnMid-America ASGA’s Located at the theworkshop Stephenville County were Fairgrounds, solarShow grazing certification for solar industry and White andmanagement Sale will showcase more than 250 Dorpers professionals, only a few were completely unfamiliar Dorpers. The event will kick off with a junior showwith on the April 10 and an concept of meeting running sheep a solar site.

EnelSheep employees wereSociety. annual of theon American Dorper Breeders’ plentiful the crowd the Dorpers companywill is running sheep on with SingleinDorpers andand White show on6,000 Friday morning 18,000 acres at various in the state. pens of two ewes tosites follow.

South African Philip Strauss will sort the “Dual-use an innovative techniquethe thatday onlytoakeep few the sheep.solar Thereused will to bebe competitions throughout companies were doing,” said Enel’ssales Jessepitch, Puckett.

“Butcontest now it’s and youth engaged.

A skill-a-thon, judging really changing contest the facewill of the while providing production capindustry off the youth events. Friday evening will opportunities local farmers BBQ and sheep to support their include anfor Oklahoma-style with agrazers live band.

Saturday morning will begin with a consignors meeting, followed by families. instructional meeting. will be able viewthelots during “Wean first started grazing sitesSales in 2017guests in Minnesota.

Thattowas morning bidding begin atwith 10 a.m. and be verythe early days ofhours. solar The grazing, andwill we worked Minnesota broadcast live on CCI. Native Landscapes. And we’ve continued to work with them for many Tonow. enterThat the was showreally and sale, visitforay Showman.app/#/.

If youa need years our first into grazing. It was great assistance, please Karla Blackstock 210-305-2565. opportunity for us to docontact something different, and at now the whole Entries will beis accepted industry doing it.” through March 15 for the Mid-America. Show placings willthat determine the sale order.

For sale order,companies please visit the Puckett added it’s becoming more common for solar association at DorperSheep.org. to plan sites withwebsite sheep grazing in mind during the design phase of The Southern States Show & Sale will be held at the end of June. the project.

Makesheep planson now to attend as 150 of the best lots in the United States Grazing a site helps the companies balance public will be sold.

Moreland information will beuse available soon.producing perception and keep in agricultural while also The American Sheep Breeders’will Society is one of the fastest renewable energy.Dorper Many solar companies only consider growingmanagement sheep breedsproposals in the United States. solar The South African vegetation that include grazing in import is versatile with a high parasite resistance. conjunction with mowing and spraying, as needed. There’s a place for all aspects of what Howard refers to as his hybrid model.

“Sheep are a preventative tool,” said Reid Redden of Premier Solar Sheep in Texas and a former sheep extension specialist with Texas A&M AgriLife. “They can’t match the capacity of a mower, but the are highly effective at vegetation control.”

Redden explained that sheep fit well under and around the solar panels with minimal chances of damage to the panels. And the shepherds who work with the sheep on a daily basis provide an extra set of eyes on the site.

Working alongside Redden as a workshop instructor was ASGA

16 RINGSIDE

INDUSTRY INDUSTRY NEWS Preparation is Key to Successful Shearing Day Advisory Board member Caroline Owens of Pennsylvania.

She Whether you’re fivegenerally head or setup 5,000 temporary head, shearing day–is an explained that shearing grazers will fencing important time for both producers and their flocks.

And even though within the site’s permanent fences – and practice rotational grazing ittohappens a yearwater on every wool farmsheep and ranch, it’s maintainataleast site.once And while is a necessity, are more easy to overlook the details fromcows one year to the next. efficient with water needs than and will travel farther from “Atheir yearwater is spent growing the product, while only a few minutes are source, if allowed. required tosheep harvest it,” according the ASI Practice forSolar One thing won’t do is turn atosolar siteCode into aofgolf course.

Preparation Wool Clips, which is available for download and companies of shouldn’t expect well-manicured lawns from the sheep. purchase at SheepUSA.org/shop. is in thisButbrief period They’ll graze plants to a variety of“Itheights. thatharvest isn’t a bad thing. that quality is often adversely affected.”

Leaving cover on the ground helps to keep weeds from taking over With in mind,erosion here’sissues. a brief This overview how tothe prepare the is and that eliminates is oneofreason hybridfor model arrival of your shearer. so popular in the solar industry.

The first thing you need towith do isdeveloping contact your shearer and set a date Solar grazers are tasked a vegetation management for shearing.

Keep in mind thatsite nothing set on. in stone when itmow comes program specifically for each they is work They might an toovergrown dealing with livestock and weather.

Prepare be flexible as area before turning out sheep in thetoarea, or the might things such as weather, broken equipment and illness can hamper run sheep first and mow afterwards. They’re also tasked with your shearer’s to get to your or ranch on the designated spraying to killability noxious weeds and farm to eliminate vegetation around date.

Spring snowstorms makeetc. scheduling particularly difficult for equipment, in parking areas, Solar grazers might even adjust shearing crews. cycle, choosing to lamb earlier than normal to take their production those extra mouths during feed-heavy spring Asadvantage you awaitofyour shearing date, order anytheneeded supplies such as growing season. clips, markers and health supplies. You should wool packs/bags, Owens provided some into theday. minds of sheep, instructing also schedule extra helpinsight for shearing If your shearer doesn’t attendees on the animals’ flight zone and flocking and offer wool handling/classing services, you’ll want toinstinct, find someone pointed out the leaving you found them. who can help withimportance that. You’llofalso needgates extrathe setsway of hands to move If it’s it’s as probably way for reason.

If it’s it’s up and penopen, sheep, well asthat a variety of aother tasks thatclosed, will come ondefinitely the day.that way for a reason.

“An open gate means food tobring sheep, andown they are fasttrailers, and Larger shearing crewsnew will often their shearing smart,” Owens said.

“No sheep goes alone.

If one escapes, the whole but producers with smaller operations will need to provide a clean, flock will probably dry environment forescape.” shearing to take place. The area should be large Attendees alsoshearer heard from a panel ofwhile experts that included enough for the to maneuver shearing and easyALB’s to Cameron grazer Two Chad4-foot Raines, sweep so itMaierle, can be solar kept clean. byEnel’s 6-footJoseph sheetsQuick of of the Stampede Project and Howard. the an main topics they plywood on flat Solar ground in a covered barn One can of make excellent touchedfloor on was importance of guardthedogs on theboard site. Solar shearing forthe a small flock. Raising shearing off the employees were urged not to feed extra treats or leftovers to the ground in a stable manner will help reduce contamination and make dogs, who might neglect their duties while chasing such rewards. wool handling easier. Sheep should not be shorn on old rugs, carpets vulnerable said.outlets are or“The polysheep tarps.are Make sure thewithout area is the welldogs,” lit, andRaines electrical As a group, they6 also the importance available within feet stressed of the shearing surface. of providing anytime to days the site.

Working with live animals requires Inaccess the final before shearing, sheep shouldoften be sorted so earlythey can morning and late-night chores and wellness checks, especially if the be shorn in the order of: whiteface (from fine to coarse), black face, sheep are site. Some solar sites a smartphone colored, andlambing hair andonhair-crosses.

Sheep canoffer be further sorted app by that allows authorized personnel to check in and out 24 hours a day. lambs and weanlings, rams, sheep that ran in different conditions, and any sheep that might be sick.

Ideally, sheep would be penned under in dry,and contaminant-free The overall theme of the workshop wascover that sheep solar work penstogether to keep and theirthe wool and dry as wool should to notdevelop be shorn well twoclean industries need to continue that while wet.

Sheep should be kept off feed and water for relationship. It was a message that wasn’t lost on the solar approximately 12 hours,independing companies represented Texas. on age and stage of production.

Why approach is that important? and foremost, for dual the health safety “Our is light onFirst the land and as much usage and as we of both theAubree sheepMuse and the shearer.Renewables.

If the gut of “Our a sheep full, it can can,” said of Candela job isisto make add significant the sheep, placing additional sure the projectsweight are astoenvironmentally friendly as theydownward can be, and pressure on is theturning sheep’s organs whengrazing in the to shearing position, the industry toward sheep be a part of that.which causes discomfort forcattle the sheep.

This might cause themore sheep Muse grew up around in Kentucky, so she brings of to a kick or struggle, leading to more stress on the sheep and extra work livestock background to the table than many in the solar industry.for the shearer.

You also avoid sheepnice urinate or defecate “It’s been a really goodwant day,”toshe said.having “It’s always to see so on thepeople shearing surface.

In addition tothe contaminating the wool, this many from different spheres in same room working can create slippery to work forfor thehow shearer. together anda wanting findsurface solutions we can continue to do WhenWe’ve the day shear white sheepand first, colored that. gotarrives, developers and grazers, it’s followed cool thatby we’re sheep and hair crosses tograzing avoid contamination.

Belly of wool should working together to make happen on as many these sitesbe removed from the fleece.

Topknots and excess tags should be as possible. The benefits of solar grazing are endless.” packaged with the floor sweepings, and any areas of high IDAHO CELEBRATES SHEEP IN THE FOOTHILLS contamination should be removed from the fleece. Wool should also On 10, the Wool Association – in wool partnership be May skirted andIdaho classed andGrowers packaged with similar if that iswith Avimor and thewhen Idahomarketing Rangelandthe Resource advantageous wool. Commission – hosted Sheep theprovide Foothills, a one-of-a-kind celebration rural life, Preparein to your sheep with feed and waterofimmediately agriculture and You the region’s deep connections the sheep industry. after shearing. might also need to providetoshelter for the flock if Set the stunning of the foothills, cold,against wet weather hits inbackground the days following shearing.this event brought locals alike a fun-filled of And whiletogether the sheep andand thevisitors wool are thefor first priority onday shearing family-friendly activities, educational experiences and a chance to day, remember to take care of your shearers. Always ensure your learn the richand history of sheep ranching in Idaho.

For sheepabout are penned supplies are ready.

Providing bathroom attendees, offered opportunity to engage withthem the region’s facilities, aitmeal andan easily accessible water for will go a long agricultural roots, taking a look at a day in the life of sheep way toward assuring they return the following year. Remember, producers, making memories and havingjobfun. shearing iswhile a difficult, physically demanding andFrom there are fewer demonstrations hands-on activities, the event theto and fewer peopletowilling to take it on every year.highlighted So, you want vital role that sheep production plays in Idaho’s history and keep your shearers happy. economy.

“Sheep in the Foothills is a unique activity that combines the history of sheep, the management of sheep and the need for education for our neighbors. As folks enjoy the flavor of lamb dishes, they are learning that management of the range landscape doesn’t just happen. Sheep are the necessary tool that brings it all together,” said IWGA President Jack Blattner.

In addition to a shearing demonstration that gave onlookers the chance to touch and feel the sheep before and after shearing, attendees had the opportunity to check out a shearing trailer. The trailer quickly became a playground for children as they raced up

INDUSTRY NEWS JUNE INDUSTRY NEWS JUNE UPCOMING EVENTS INDUSTRY NEWS UPCOMING Preparation is Key to Successful Shearing Day EVENTS

producer Ely Valdez introduced him to the concept of solar grazing the chute and slid down the exit ramps like a slide. and convinced him that sheep had a place in the solar boom.

ASI Executive Board Member John Noh and his wife, Julie, catered a “Sheep were a hobby for us,” JR said. “We didn’t have access to the lamb lunch for the festival. The food was a hit with the crowd, as 22 you needed to run a bunch of sheep in west Texas. My kindJune of land many were trying lamb for the first time.

Introduction June 22 to Shepherding wifeFor andmore I hadinformation, town jobs, visit but we liked having sheep around. Ely told “I haven’t had lamb in so long, but this is so good,” said one hungry Ideally, sheep would be penned under cover in dry, contaminant-free Preparation is Key to Successful Shearing Day Introduction to Shepherding WithywindleValleyFarm.com/product-page/courseme aboutFor themore American Solar Grazing Association early on and we fan.ABOUND “I will be eating lamb more.” information, visit OPPORTUNITIES pens to keep their wool clean and dry as wool should not be shorn Whether you’re shearing five head or 5,000 head, shearing day is an intro-to-shepherding-june-22.

WithywindleValleyFarm.com/product-page/coursewere able to access some of their content. But it was nothing like it Other highlights the one-day event vendors OPPORTUNITIES In addition getting paid toofgraze sheep, JR included has an who while wet. Sheep should be kept off feed and water for important timetofor both ABOUND producers andhistheir flocks.

Andstarted even though intro-to-shepherding-june-22.

JuneLike 25 a lot of people who were getting into it back then, we is now. showcased the range of products and uses of sheep, lamb and wool.

In addition getting paid toevery graze hissolar sheep, JRLast has started extensive program at on many of the year, approximately 12June hours, on age and stage production. it happens athaying least to once a year wool farmsites. and ranch, it’s hean 25 depending Michigan Sheep Producers Association Online of Sheep & really had to start at zero and go from there.

Approximately 500 people attended Sheep in the Foothills. extensive haying program at many of the solar sites.

Last year, he cuttomore than the 1,000 balesfrom on solar plans to double or triple Sale Why is thatEquipment important?

First and foremost, for the health and safety easy overlook details onesites year and to the next.

Michigan Sheep Producers Association Online Sheep & “I realized that a lotSale of what For more information, visitwould happen going forward was going FRONT COVER................... $700 cut more than 1,000 bales on solar sites and plans to double or triple that amount in 2025.

Some of it goes to feed his sheep in the winter.

Equipment BRIGHT FUTURE of both the sheep and the shearer.

If the gut of a sheep is full, it can “A year is spent growing the product, while only a few minutes are FRONT COVER................... $700 PLAuctions.live/auction/26865 Foronmore to depend how information, well we did,”visit JR said. “We could have really that amount in 2025.

Some of it goes to feed his sheep in the winter.

Some gets sold to area livestock producers.

In at least one instance, BACK COVER...................... $700 weight to the sheep, placing additional downward required to harvest it,” according to the ASIcontracts Code of Practice for With BACK vegetation management on 20 $700 large-scale, utility- add significant PLAuctions.live/auction/26865 COVER......................

Missouri Lambing & companies to screwed thisExtension up, or weWebinar: could do Managing it right and get these Some gets sold to area livestock producers.

In at least one instance, he allowed a local hay producer to cut it for him and take the hay for onKidding theMissouri sheep’s organs when in theManaging shearingLambing position, which Preparation of Wool available for download and that even JR pressure Complications gradeClips, solar which sites iniseast Texas,INSIDE it’s hard to COVERS................. believe $625 Extension Webinar: accept that sheep are thevisit way to go. I wouldn’t say solar&grazing is INSIDE COVERS................. $625 he allowed a local hay producer to cut it for him and take the hay for For more information, free.

Kidding Complications causes discomfort for the sheep. This might cause the sheep to kick purchase at SheepUSA.org/shop. is inhis this brief harvest Howard had doubts “It about new venture just period five years ago.

TWO $900 the Extension.Missouri.edu/events/managing-lambing-andstandard yet, but we’re getting For more information, visit a lot closer to having all of these free. didisalloften the work andPAGE......................... made all the profit, but PAGE......................... it meant less work TWO $900 or struggle, leading to more stress on the sheep and extra work for that“They quality adversely affected.” kidding-complications.

Fortunately, his vision and his family’s hard work paid off.

Extension.Missouri.edu/events/managing-lambing-andcompanies really accept what we can do for them.”

FULL PAGE........................ $500 “They did all“Partnerships the work and like made all are the profit,for buteveryone.” it meant less work for me,” JR said. that good FRONT COVER................... $700 also want to avoid having sheep urinate or defecate With that in mind, here’s overview howthan to prepare for the FULL PAGE........................

Texas Solara brief Sheep now runs of more 10,000$500 ewes – with another the shearer. Youkidding-complications.

GRAZING AS A BUSINESS June 27-29 forisme,” JRgrazing. said. “Partnerships like that arePAGE............................ good for everyone.”

And so solar 1/2 $375 BACK surface. In addition to contaminating the wool, this arrivalCOVER...................... of your shearer.

5,0001/2 or more leased$700 from other producers – year-round on sites on the shearing June PAGE............................ $375 Gathering TheBlack term Sheep solar27-29 grazing can be a bit misleading from the outside so solar is solar grazing.

“I stillAnd think is the best opportunity in my lifetime for the sheep a slippery work surface the shearer.

The firstCOVERS................. thing you to doofisascontact your1/4 shearer and dateeverything can PAGE............................ $250 thatneed JR thinks stand-alone ranches.

Eachset sitea has it create For more information, visit for BlackSheepGathering.org.

INSIDE $625 Black Sheep Gathering looking in, JR says. Large-scale solar companies want one “I stillespecially think solar the best opportunity in my lifetime for the sheep 1/4 PAGE............................ $250 industry, to is expand in areas we’re not in now or haven’t the day arrives, shear white sheep first, followed by colored for shearing. Keep in mind thatthe nothing is set1/8 in stone whenmodel: it comes For more information, visit BlackSheepGathering.org. needs to handle company’s hybrid grazing two or three When$125 PAGE/BIZ CARD...........

TWO PAGE......................... $900 contractor industry, especially to expand in areas we’re not in now haven’t been in for decades,” JR said.

“There’s a lot of opportunity fororacres, June 28 to handle all of their vegetation management needs, 1/8 PAGE/BIZ CARD........... $125 sheep and hair crosses to avoid contamination. Belly wool should be to dealing with dedicated livestock and weather.

Prepare to be10% flexible as employees, sheep, livestock guardian dogs, mowers, DISCOUNT FORfor CONTRACTING been in foracres decades,” JRDISCOUNT said.

“There’s abylot ofFOR opportunity acres, FOR YEAR which might of mowing, spraying weeds and Juneentail 28 a&combination and especially that10% are less impacted drought than places Nebraska Sheep Goat Producers Association Grazing FULL $500 FOR CONTRACTING YEAR 10%illness DISCOUNT FORhamper PRINT READY ADS PROVIDED

BY DEADLINE removed from the fleece. Topknots and excess tags should be thingsPAGE........................ such as weather, broken equipment and can sprayers and livestock-handling equipment.

But that wasn’t always Clinic 10% DISCOUNT FOR PRINT READY ADS PROVIDED BY DEADLINE 5% PRE-PAY DISCOUNT IF PAID BEFORE PRINT DATE and especially acres that are less impacted by drought than places grazing.

Sheep producers looking to get into the industry must Nebraska Sheep & Goat Producers Association Grazing in the west. There hasn’t been aDISCOUNT better opportunity for widespread 5% PRE-PAY PAID BEFORE PRINT DATE (MAX OF 15% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE) For more information, visit and any areas of high 1/2your PAGE............................ packaged with the floor sweepings, shearer’s ability to get to your$375 farm orIF ranch on the designated the case.

Clinic (MAX OF 15% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE) in the west.

There hasn’t been a better for widespread growth in the sheep industry than what we’reopportunity doing rightMORGAN here. how to handle all of that. can subcontract with a NebraskaSheepandGoat.org/education.

CONTACT TO We ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE! decide For more visitThey contamination should beinformation, removed from the fleece. Wool should also Spring snowstorms make scheduling particularly for “We started with about 500 sheep running on one portion of a site in RINGSIDESHEEP@GMAIL.COM 1/4date.

PAGE............................ $250 CONTACT MORGAN TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXTdifficult ISSUE! in the where sheep we industry than we’re needgrowth to capitalize canRINGSIDESHEEP@GMAIL.COM and dowhat it right, anddoing we’ll right havehere. this We mowing NebraskaSheepandGoat.org/education. company or find a mowing company that wants to shearing crews.a six-month pilot project,” JR recalled. “About three months in, the be skirted and classed and packaged with similar wool if that is 1/8 PAGE/BIZ CARD........... $125 need tofor capitalize where can and do it right, and we’ll have this opportunity a long time to we come.” subcontract the grazing aspect. Another option is to partner with an As you await your shearing date, order any better neededthan supplies such as company itFOR was working they thought and we couldadvantageous when marketing the wool. opportunity for asaid long time to come.”

10% DISCOUNT FOR CONTRACTING YEAR existing solar grazer who needs additional sheep to fulfill his 10% DISCOUNT FOR CONTRACTING 10%wool DISCOUNT FOR PRINT READY ADS PROVIDED BY DEADLINE Prepare to provide your sheep with feed and water immediately packs/bags, clips, markers and health supplies. FOR YouYEAR should take over the whole site.”

DISCOUNT FOR PRINT 5% PRE-PAY DISCOUNT 10% IF PAID BEFORE PRINT DATE READY ADS PROVIDED BY DEADLINE contracts.

5%where PRE-PAY PAID PRINT DATE (MAX OF 15% AVAILABLE) also schedule extra help for shearing day.IFIfcame yourBEFORE shearer doesn’t ButDISCOUNT that’s theDISCOUNT progress to a stop.

The family – wife, after shearing. You might also need to provide shelter for the flock if “I work with some producers who don’t want to deal with the mowin (MAX OF 15% DISCOUNT AVAILABLE) TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE! cold, wet weather hits in the days following shearing. offerCONTACT woolMORGAN handling/classing services, you’ll want– to findpick someone Kellye, and CONTACT sons, Hunter and Carter didn’t up a second site RINGSIDESHEEP@GMAIL.COM MORGAN TO ADVERTISE IN THE NEXT ISSUE! and spraying, at least initially,” JR said. “So, they come into one of And while the sheep and the wool are the first priority on shearing who can help with You’ll also need sets of hands to move untilthat.

18 months laterRINGSIDESHEEP@GMAIL.COM as JRextra ran into skeptical solar company my sites and run their sheep and I don’t have to worry about the day, remember to take care of your shearers. Always ensure your and pen sheep, executives as well as at a variety of other tasks that will come up every turn.

July 5 July 11-13 sheep on that site.July I just23-25 handle everything else. Or, we can lease are23-25 ready.

Providing bathroom on the day.

“I tried to get as manyAssociation) people as I could to come to theand firstWool siteFestival andsheep are penned and supplies July 5 (Michigan July Sheep 11-13 July 2025 MSPA Sheep Producers Wyoming American Lamb Summit their sheep and we can manage them and just send a check every Summer For information, visit For accessible more information, visit a meal and easily waterSummit for them will go a long Larger shearing crews will bring own shearing trailers, take a look atoften itProducers to get antheir idea of what wasmore going on there,” he said.

2025Picnic MSPA (Michigan Sheep Association) Wyoming Sheep and Woolfacilities, Festivalmonth.”

American Lamb For more information, visit WyomingSheepandWoolFestival.com.

LambBoard.com/lamb-summit.

Summer Picnic For more information, visit For more information, visitRemember, way toward assuring they return the following year. but producers with smaller willAtneed to provide clean, “It was toughoperations to get buy-in. the time, I wouldasay that sheep https://misheep.org/summer-picnic/ Two things the solar grazing industry is in desperate need of right For more information, visit WyomingSheepandWoolFestival.com.

LambBoard.com/lamb-summit. demanding job and there are fewer dry https://misheep.org/summer-picnic/ environmentweren’t for shearing to take place.

The area should be large really accepted at 95 percent of these It just wasn’t anshearing is a difficult, physically July 16-17sites.

Julyand 26 more now are more sheep producers who understand that solar July 9 people willing National to take itSheep on every year. So,Program you want to of enough for the shearer maneuver while shearing and easy acceptedtopractice at that point.

But then weJuly gotWool atosecond one,Association and and a fewer 16-17 July 26 Colorado Growers Convention Improvement Center JulySheep 9 grazing is a service industry. Grazers such as JR – who partner with National Improvement Program Online Sale For more information, visit ColoradoSheep.org. the Nation SaleSheep Improvement Program Center keep your shearers happy. sweep so it canthird be visit kept clean.

Two of 4-foot by 6-foot sheets of one, and it kind snowballed from there.

NSIP.org.

For more information, Colorado Wool Growers Association Convention National National Sheep Improvement Program Online Sale other sheep producers – allow those novice grazers to get their foot For more information, For more information, the Nation Sale visit NSIP.org. plywood on flat ground in ahave covered can make “That might beenbarn a blessing.

Over an thatexcellent 18 months, we figuredvisit ColoradoSheep.org.

NSIP.org.

For more information, visit July 9-12 in the door and learn theForindustry first-hand.visit NSIP.org. more information, July 17-18we July 26 shearing floor&for aasmall flock. thethat shearing board offhad thea better idea out lot.

When weRaising finally got second site, July 9-12 Pipestone Lamb Wool Program Sheep for Profit “I could be greedy and think that I’m going to do it all myself,” JR July 17-18 School 26 Sheep Growers Association Texasefficient.

Sheep and Goatgood Raisers’ Annual Convention SouthJuly Dakota ground in a stable manner will help reduce and make Pipestone Lamb & Wool Sheep Profit of what we Program were doing, andfor wecontamination were more It was For more information, visit said.

“But they’re building so much new solar that one person can’t TSGRA.com For more information, visit Premium Yearling SaleGrowers School Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Annual Convention South DakotaEwe Sheep Association woolForhandling easier. should not be shorn on old Texas rugs, carpets trainingSheep for MNWest.edu/academics/management-education/lambFor more information, visit SDSheepGrowers.org. more information, visitus.”

TSGRA.com For more information, visit handle it all.

We turned down more work than we took on last year, Premium Yearling Ewe Sale wool-management/sheep-for-profit-school.php.

19 outlets MNWest.edu/academics/management-education/lambor poly tarps. Make sure from the area well lit, and electrical are was Originally westisTexas, JR’s idea ofJuly renewable energy For more information, visit SDSheepGrowers.or and &we’ll probably do the same this year. We need more good, wool-management/sheep-for-profit-school.php.

July 19 State Sheep Association Ram Washington Ewe Sale July 31- August 2 available 6 feet of His the vision shearing surface. for the future came only after Texas sheep July 11-12 withinwindmills. qualified inKatahdin this July industry.”

WSSP.org.

For more information, 31- August Expo & Sale2 Washington Statevisit Sheep Association Ram &people Ewe Sale In the final daysRam before so they can July 11-12 104th Idaho State Sale shearing, sheep should be sorted For more information, For more information, visit WSSP.org.

Katahdin Expo & visit Sale Katahdins.org.

For contact Liz Wilder (from fine to coarse), black face, bemore shorn in theState order of: Sale whiteface 104thinformation Idaho Ram For more information, visit Katahdins.org.

ForAlliance more information contact Liz Wilder Eastern for Production Katahdins Symposium Sale sorted by colored, and hair and hair-crosses.

Sheep can be&further For more information, visitProduction Katahdins Symposium & Sale Eastern Alliance for lambs and weanlings, EasternAllianceKatahdins.com/events-2/2025-symposium/.

For more information,rams, visit sheep that ran in different conditions, EasternAllianceKatahdins.com/events-2/2025-symposium/. and any sheep that might be sick.

Whether you’re shearing five head or 5,000 head, shearing day is important time for both 2024producers and their flocks. And even tho 2024 PRICING itADVERTISING happens atADVERTISING least once aPRICING year on every wool farm and ranch, it’ easy to overlook the details from one year to the next.

2024 2024 ADVERTISING PRICING “APRICING year is spent growing the product, while only a few minutes ar ADVERTISING FRONT COVER................... required to harvest$700 it,” according to the ASI Code of Practice for BACK COVER...................... $700 Preparation of Wool$625 Clips, which is available for download and INSIDE COVERS.................

TWO PAGE......................... $900 purchase at SheepUSA.org/shop.

“It is in this brief harvest period FULL PAGE........................ $500 that quality is often adversely affected.”

1/2 PAGE............................ $375 that in mind, here’s 1/4With PAGE............................ $250 a brief overview of how to prepare for t 1/8 PAGE/BIZ CARD........... $125 arrival of your shearer.

JULY The first thing you need to do is contact your shearer and set a d JULY UPCOMING EVENTS EVENTS for shearing. Keep inUPCOMING mind that nothing is set in stone when it co to dealing with livestock and weather. Prepare to be flexible as things such as weather, broken equipment and illness can hamp your shearer’s ability to get to your farm or ranch on the designa date. Spring snowstorms make scheduling particularly difficult f shearing crews.

As you await your shearing date, order any needed supplies such wool packs/bags, clips, markers and health supplies. You should also schedule extra help for shearing day. If your shearer doesn’ offer wool handling/classing services, you’ll want to find someon 18 who can help with that. You’ll also need extra sets of hands to m

How did you start showing sheep?

Samantha: My family is a 4th generation Simmental breeder, but when my sister was born with a genetic condition, my parents knew cattle would be a later in life option. Sheep was the best learning opportunity. We started with a garage full of bottle lambs that came from Joel Parker and the Poe family. We took them in a popper to our first All American in Indianapolis. It has exploded from there because of the friends that are now like family. We now raise over 100 head of hamps alongside 100 head of Simmental cattle.

How many years have you been showing sheep?

Sallie: 7 years Samantha: 7 years

What breeds do you show?

Sallie: Dorset Advantage & Dorper Samantha: Slick Hampshires & Fitted Dorsets

If you were to pick a different breed of sheep to show, what breed would you pick, and why?

Sallie: I would show Shrops because of their wool cap.

Samantha: I would show Fitted Dorsets because I like a challenge.

What is your favorite breed of sheep?

Sallie: Dorper Samantha: Hamps

What is your lucky show day prep tradition?

Sallie: I find my favorite sheep friends to help me show!

Samantha: I steal one of my dads Mountain Dews!

What is your favorite show memory?

Sallie: My favorite show memory is the Junior Hamp Association pancake breakfast. Alan makes me confetti pancakes!

Samantha: My favorite show memory is winning Supreme Champion Ram at Kentucky State Fair with one I raised in 2023.

What is your favorite show to attend?

Sallie: My favorite show is the Indiana State Fair. I love the lemon shake-ups!

Samantha: My favorite show is NAILE. All of my friends are there and the ice cream is amazing.

Who has been your biggest mentor in the sheep industry?

Sallie: The Hauger Family. Jason helped me start with my Dorset Advantages and always shows with me when Morgan & Maddie aren’t there. Also, Ty Thorson. He always shows up when I need him.

Samantha: Joel Parker. He has helped me for the past 7 years with showmanship and making my sheep look the best.

What is one goal you have for this show season?

Sallie: My goal is to have fun with my Dorper even with a broken leg.

What advice would you give to younger kids starting to show sheep?

Samantha: My goal is to win expert showmanship at county fair to be able to Sallie: You have to put the work in at home.

Samantha: If you don’t win right away, it’s okay. Just keep working with enter Round Robin where you show multiple species. your animals and look to older kids for advice and try your best.

What is a lesson you’ve learned showing/raising sheep?

Sallie: I love feeding bottle lambs.

Why do you love showing sheep?

Samantha: It takes a lot of time and dedication to do it right. When you don’t Sallie: They are easier for me to handle.

Samantha: It has taught me teamwork and gained friends from all over give it your all, you don’t get the outcome you want. the country.

22 RINGSIDE

NEWS BREEDNEWS BREED NATURALCOLORED COLOREDNEWS NEWS NATURAL As the early sales are winding down and the state fair season NCWGA Notes approaches, I was pleased to see the exceptionally strong prices for Greetings from NCWGA. 2024having national at the North quality Natural ColoredThe sheep beenshow commanding.

American saw record numbers of entries in both junior and open I am not sure if these notes will arrive before ourthe2025 National shows. quality ranheld deep in allBlack classes.

I congratulate winners ShowThe which will be at the Sheep Gathering in the Oregon in and all the exhibitors on a great set of sheep being exhibited.

Results late June. This has always been a great show for Natural Colored aresheep available on the NAILE website. and fleeces and this year should be no exception.

Now that the lambing season is in full Registry swing I hope everyone is Currently NCWGA is using Associate to handle registrations enjoying a great and cropI of natural colored lambs. and transfers, note that Associate has moved to Sedalia, MO The 2025 National Show will be in Oregon at on theour Wool Festival so and has a new address. This can be found website or under watch for more information on this event.

Associate Registry as well.

Spring is around the corner and I hope everyone survived the winter The Board recently met and among other things have tentatively so far. There will be many early sales where natural colored sheep decided to hold the 2026 National Show in conjunction with the Big E are included and I encourage everyone to consider and attend and in September next year so watch for more details. take advantage of the sheep offered to improve your flock. There Hopefully we can have a large number of exhibitors at East! The will also be several private online sales coming in the Spring as well NAILE show this fall will continue as a regional show as usual I where quality natural colored sheep will be offered. expect a lot number of exhibitors will again participate.

If you need information on joining NCWGA feel free to contact me or I wish everyone the best in your upcoming county, regional or state Kate Lowder, our Secretary or visit our website. fairs if you are exhibiting Natural Colored sheep or fleeces or just attending visit with those John that do exhibit.

S. Merlau As always if you have any questionsNCWGA or concerns feel free to contact President, me or Kate Lower our Secretary.

John S. Merlau President, NCWGA

CORRIEDALE NEWS

SOUTHDOWN NEWS

As winter lambing is well under way I hope everyone had a truly blessed holiday season and is looking forward to a good spring born lamb crop.

Southdown All-American Junior Show Reminders: Southdowns The recent which took place at the mustNational be shornShow within 7 days of the show.

TheNorth bellyAmerican and flank Exposition in Louisville, Kentucky was a very strong show and had a wool shall not be longer than the remainder of the sheared nice increase in numbers of sheep Exhibitors and several new exhibitors this body. DNA can be collected. showing Southdowns year. The quality present in all classes. need to paywas junior membership dues. Hopefully everyone attending was able to meet our new Secretary, Laurie Majchrzak.

Hats off to Laurie especially for stepping up and making sure the Don't forget to turn in Futurity points! Submissions need to be junior show ran smoothly. There were a few bumps to get started made within 14 days of the show. Online and paper forms can be and she jumped right in and made sure things moved smoothly. The found on southdownsheep.org. quality in the junior show was also excellent. I was impressed that in both shows all the sheep were presented exceptionally well and ASBA Scholarship applications are due August 1. Any Southdown believe me I know from past experience how much work and junior member who is pursuing an education after high school is eligible. Applications can be found on southdownsheep.org.

MONTADALE NEWS

effort it takes to prepare a Corriedale for a show. The breeders and show people are to be congratulated accordingly.

The full list of class winners is contained in this issue elsewhere and First off, the entire Montadale community would like to give a huge I congratulate all the exhibitors. shout out to Kendra Fleck for her service as the Montadale Executive I am looking forward to our National Show and Sale next May to be Secretary. We wish her a happy retirement from that position and held in conjunction with the Ohio Showcase Sale and encourage many thanks for the immeasurable impact she has had on our breed everyone to attend and if possible to consign to this big and the Montadale family. event.

At the beginning of January, the MSBA office was relocated to Vandalia, MO and Abilene Workman took over as secretary. All John S. Merlau paperwork and correspondence are now being processed and President directed to the new office. We are trying to be “business as usual” in the office, but please be patient as I am learning the system, timeline, people, and sometimes chaos that is the Montadale Secretary position. The postal service has been hit or miss so if you Welcome to 2025! We sincerely hope you ended 2024 on a positive think you should have already gotten paperwork back, please do not note and that your 2025 is off to a great start. I hope all Oxford hesitate to email or leave a message for the office. We have some breeders and enthusiasts have had a chance to check-out the new exciting changes coming your way and they will start at the American Oxford Sheep Association website as well as the new National Montadale Show & Sale hosted at the Midwest Stud 2024-2025 AOSA Directory. We are very pleased with both of these Ram Sale. and hope you will be too. You can find the website at As show season gears up, we look forward to the beautiful sight of www.americanoxfords.org and if you need a copy of the new 2024pure white Montadales and visiting with our Montadale 2025 Directory, just email in methe at ring oxfordsecretary7@gmail.com and family in the aisles.

Wishing everyone safe travels and a successful I’ll send a copy your way. season.

Withshow the new year comes the reminder about annual dues payments.

Abilene Workmanof the year however, we We prefer that dues be paid at the beginning SheeptoBreeders’ Executive Secretary do realize thatMontadale you may want wait to send those in until you have

OXFORD NEWS

some office work (registrations/transfers) to be completed as well.

Dues are as follows: Seniors (22 years of age and over) - $30 and Juniors - $20.

In the upcoming year we will be hosting a National Oxford On-line Sale and a live National Sale. The online sale will be hosted on the Breeders’ World site on April 22 and the live sale will be at the IL State Fairgrounds in Springfield on June 7.

EMAIL YOUR BREED NEWS TO RINGSIDESHEEP@GMAIL.COM AT ANY TIME AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO RUN EMAIL BREED NEWS TO IT INYOUR OUR UPCOMING ISSUE! RINGSIDESHEEP@GMAIL.COM AT ANY TIME AND WE WILL BE HAPPY TO RUN IT IN OUR UPCOMING ISSUE!

FREEDOM FEST BREEDING SHEEP SHOW Springfield, Illinois

Supreme Champion Ewe Morgan Crouch

Reserve Supreme Champion Ewe Gensley Ball

Supreme Champion Ram Charlee Ryan

Reserve Supreme Champion Ram Drake Slutz

Grand Champion Market Lamb Wyatt Nixon

Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb Landrey Kreiger

PHOTOS TAKEN BY: Emily Adcock Photography & Design

BOYS OFer

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