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  1. Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival Packed with Activities, Opportunities
  2. WSBC presents the 5th Annual Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival
  3. Wisconsin Classic Deadline is July 15
  4. State Fair Offers Nine Days of Shows
  5. Spooner Sheep Day Set for August 26
  6. Spring Preview Show Draws 235 Sheep
  7. Wisconsin Youth Sweep Showmanship at National Show
  8. WSBC Industry Briefs
  9. Bred Ewe Sale Rules & Entry Form
  10. WSBC Stories








Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival Packed with Activities, Opportunities

   What’s the best tip for attending the 2006 Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival?  You can’t see it all in one day.

   The fifth-annual Festival is slated for Friday through Sunday, September 8 through 10 at Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson, and visitors to past Festivals know it is virtually impossible to take in everything in a single day.

   “The Festival has become the center point for the sheep and wool industry in Wisconsin and beyond,” says Bob Black, Columbus, Festival chairman.  “If it has to do with the state’s sheep and wool industry, you’ll find it here.”

   Fifty Wonders of Wool classes and workshops serve as the Festival’s anchor for both wool producers and fiber enthusiasts.  Taught by instructors from across the country, the classes on Friday through Sunday offer instruction on everything from beginning spinning to knitting Shetland lace.  Pre-registration is required for Wonders of Wool classes, and registrations are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

   The Festival’s Fleece Show has become one of the fastest growing parts of the three-day event.  Starting with Shetland and Open Fleece Shows on Saturday and ending with the Fleece Sale on Sunday, the event draws people who produce and want to work with quality fleeces.

   Events focusing on wool fiber don’t end with the Wonders of Wool classes and Fleece Show and Sale.  New this year, the Festival is hosting Art Under Foot, a display of wool hooked rugs on Saturday and Sunday, thanks to the efforts and support of the Cream City Rug Hookers and Wisconsin Quilt History Project Inc.  On Saturday, the Wisconsin Make It Yourself With Wool Contest culminates with a Best of Wisconsin style show at 2:15 p.m. and awards presentation at about 3:15 p.m.  A Handspun Skein Competition will be held in The Country Store on Saturday morning.  On Sunday, members of the Marshall Pleasant demonstrate traditional fiber skills in their sheep-to-shawl demonstration.  Look for them in the Country Store.

   Over 100 commercial vendors will be on hand to offer almost every conceivable product a shepherd or fiber enthusiast could want.  From sheep minerals and weigh scales to hand-dyed roving, pattern books and spinning wheels, The Country Store is the place to go to stock up on supplies and materials.  Take advantage of early-bird shopping on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., when no admission is charged to enter the grounds.

   Two events prove the adage that a shepherd’s best “hired man” is his dog.  The Crook and Whistle Dog Trial takes place Friday through Sunday, testing the skills and discipline of working stock dogs from throughout the country as they move and pen flocks of sheep.  On a lighter side, Custom Stock Dogs will present instructive and sometimes humorous demonstrations on how working stock dogs help the shepherd.  The demonstrations take place several times a day Friday through Sunday on the green near the Festival’s main entrance.

   Of course, no event of this type would be complete without plenty of sheep.  The Festival is home to four shows, including a junior show for youth and the Midwest Shetland Sheep Show, attracting some of the best wool- and meat-breed sheep and exhibitors in the Upper Midwest.  Shows take place on both Saturday and Sunday.

   Saturday’s activities include a Lead-In Competition, where handlers are judged not only on the wool outfit they wear but their handling of the ewe they lead.

   The Festival offers some of the best educational opportunities around.  Whether you’re a beginning shepherd, have decades of experience or are just thinking of raising sheep, the free Producers’ Roundtable educational sessions will provide excellent information and challenge your thinking.  The sessions take place throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday.

   The Festival provides good reasons for youth to attend the Festival.  In addition to Producers’ Roundtable sessions geared for youth and beginning shepherds, organizers are excited that Sam and Pat Wilford will present the Festival’s Skillathon on Saturday and Sunday.  The Wilfords are nationally known for the quality of the skillathons they present at state and national events like the All-American Junior Show.

   David Kier returns to the Festival to present shearing demonstrations and answer producers’ questions, plus, on Sunday, he offers a new workshop for people who prefer to shear standing sheep.

   For those interested in starting or adding to or improving a flock, the must-attend event is the Wisconsin Classic sheep sale on at 3 p.m. on Saturday.  The sale offers both rams and ewes and features rams from the Wisconsin Ram Test.

   Don’t miss the camaraderie and bidding at the Shepherds’ Auction at 5 p.m. Saturday, and enjoy a lamb BBQ that begins at 6 p.m.  From sheep supplies to fiber products to framed artwork, the auction offers a wide array of products, the sale of which supports WSBC’s youth scholarships and educational programs.  A silent auction takes place throughout the day on Saturday.

   Throughout the Festival, count on the opportunity to enjoy lamb at the event’s food stands.  And, if you like what you taste, pick up cooking tips during a Cooking With Lamb demonstration in the Activity Center at noon on Sunday.

   The Festival gates open at 8 a.m. on Friday and 7 a.m. on both Saturday and Sunday.  Admission is $5 per person, and kids eight years old and under are admitted free.  A weekend pass costs $10 per person.  Parking is always free.  Camping is available on the Festival grounds.

   Registration and entry forms, plus complete Festival information, are available at www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com or, for a free catalog, contact the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative at 608/868-2505 or wisbc.centurytel.net.









WSBC presents the 5th Annual Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival

September 8 – 10 * Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson

For More Information

   The Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival is so filled to the brim with interesting classes, exhibits, shows and other attractions that The Wisconsin Shepherd cannot provide complete details.  We encourage you to make use of the Festivals website—www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com—or refer to a Festival catalog for complete details.  To obtain a catalog, contact WSBC at wisbc@centurytel.com or 608/868-2505.

 

Admission

   Where else can you have this much fun for just $5?  Daily admission to the Festival is $5 per person, and kids eight and under are free.  A weekend pass is $10.  Parking is always free.  Daily admission and weekend passes can be purchased at the gate.

   There is no admission fee on Friday from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. only—the perfect time to get some early shopping done at The Country Store, the Festival’s huge commercial exhibit area.

 

Equipment Auction

   The Used Equipment Auction, scheduled for 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Youth Building, is a great place to buy or sell all types of sheep equipment—including farm implements, trailers, gates and fencing, feeders, scales, shearing equipment and more. 

   WSBC encourages early, pre-Festival consignments to facilitate the auction’s promotion; consignment forms are on the Festival’s website.  Deliver items to be consigned by 1 p.m. Saturday.  WSBC will take a 10 percent commission on all sales of equipment consigned.

 

Skillathon!

   Young shepherds, youth with an interest in becoming a young shepherd and adults who are leaders of youth groups will not want to miss the Skillathon.  Led by Sam and Pat Wiford, nationally known for presenting meaningful and fun sheep skillathons, the Festival’s Skillathon is the perfect chance to build skill levels in a hands-on setting.  The Skillathon, which is supported in part by a grant from the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction Committee, runs from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. until noon on Sunday in the West Barn of The Country Store.

   Never been to a Skillathon?  It’s a walk-thru of individual stations where your knowledge of sheep and sheep production will be tested on such things as lambing problems, docking, feeds, anatomy and a whole lot more.  Don’t worry if you don’t know an answer!  If you’re stumped, you get help, which is the great thing about this activity.  No one fails at a Skillathon!

 

Producers’ Roundtable

   Whether it is about what a judge looks for in commercial and hand spinning fleeces or how to save lambs, the educational workshops at the Festival are second to none.  The Producers’ Roundtable sessions begin at 9 a.m. on Saturday and at 10 a.m. on Sunday and run throughout both days.  Most sessions take place in the East Exhibit Building.

   Learn about things like Internet marketing, copper toxicity, pasture renovation, embryo transfer and the management of wool breeds or attend sessions particularly targeted to youth and beginning shepherds on practical feeding of a farm flock and ram selection.  Schedule plenty of time to attend the Producers’ Roundtable sessions, whether you’re a beginning or experienced shepherd.  There’s always more to learn!

 

Sheep Shows

   The Festival is host to four sheep shows on Saturday and Sunday.  Saturday starts with the 10 a.m. Open Sheep Show, where wool and meat breeds will vie for top honors.  At noon, the Midwest Shetland Sheep Show will draw exhibitors from throughout the Midwest and beyond.  Sunday starts with the Market Lamb Show at 10:30 a.m., followed by the Junior Breeding Sheep Show, which features some of the region’s top youth exhibitors.

   August 19 is the entry deadline for exhibitors, and detailed rules and entry forms are on the Festival’s website and in the Festival catalog.

 

Lead-In Competition

   Sheep aren’t the only ones being judged in the show ring.  For the second year, the Festival year offers Sheep Lead-In Classes, classes which promote the beauty and elegance of wool clothing for both men and women. Judges for this year’s competition are Sam and Pat Wiford of Wapakoneta, Ohio.  Exhibitors are judged on their woolen garments, their poise and the control and presentation of the sheep they lead.

   Classes for youth of all ages and adults begin at 7 p.m. on Saturday in the Sale Arena.  Entrants may lead either a ewe they own or an exhibitor participating in Festival sheep shows may provide one.  Entries are due September 1.  For more information, contact Carol Kitzrow at 262/878-3910 or wbkshrop@plazaearth.com.

 

Wisconsin Classic

   Sheep of exceptional quality will be sold at the Wisconsin Classic Sheep Sale at 3 p.m. on Saturday.  Open to both rams and ewes and featuring Wisconsin Ram Test rams, the sale takes place in the Indoor Horse Arena.  If you’re looking for a good ram, want to start a flock or need to expand your ewe numbers, the Wisconsin Classic is the place to be.

   For shepherds wishing to consign animals, the entry deadline is July 15.

 

Dog Trials, Shows

   On many sheep farms, a working stock dog is considered indispensable.  The Festival provides several opportunities to watch these dogs at work.  The Crook and Whistle Stock Dog Trial, a sanctioned trial, takes place from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Friday, 7 a.m. until dark on Saturday and 7 a.m. until 5 p.m. on Sunday.  Chuck Demit of Fort Wayne, Ind., will judge the trial as the dogs pen small flocks of sheep under the direction of their owners.

   Custom Stock Dogs will offer working stock-dog shows throughout the weekend, including two shows on Friday afternoon, on the green near the Festival’s main gate. Kenneth Kuykendall and Joyce Burnham of Steeleville, Ill., are long-time trainers and breeders of stock dogs, and their instructive and entertaining show has pleased thousands of youth and adults at events like the North American international Livestock Exposition in Louisville.

 

The Country Store

   From sheep feeders and sheep-production handbooks to spun yarn, carders and spinning wheels, The Country Store is made up about 100 vendors who offer virtually anything shepherds and fiber enthusiasts could want.

   On Friday, get onto the grounds without charge for early-bird shopping from 5 to 8 p.m.  On Saturday, The Country Store hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and, on Sunday, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.  The Country Store is located on the north side of the Jefferson Fair Park, plus other vendors are located in the Draft Horse Barn, Sheep Barn and on the Festival grounds. 

 

Wonders of Wool Classes

   Immerse yourself in the fiber arts by taking advantage of a wealth of classes on Friday, Saturday and Sunday at the Festival.  Nationally recognized instructors share their techniques and skills as they teach classes on topics like beginning spinning, spinning medium and big yarns, felting, drum carding, spinning linen yarn, kumihimo, knitting Shetland lace, Swedish North Halland techniques, charting a design of knitted lace, making glass beads and creative embellishments.

   Registrations are due August 25.  Enrollments are limited, and classes are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.  Pre-registrations are required.

   For complete information, go to the Festival website or catalog.

  

Fleece Show & Sale

   One of the most popular features of the Festival is the Fleece Show & Sale.  Participation has grown tremendously in the five years of the show and sale.

   The Shetland fleece show starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, and judging of remaining fleeces begins at 12:30 p.m. Saturday.  Visitors and wool producers alike can listen to the comments of Judges Helen Swartz of Missouri and Susan McFarland of Wisconsin as they evaluate the characteristics of the fleeces.

   The fleece sale begins at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday, and many of the fleeces in Saturday’s fleece show will be offered for sale to spinners and fiber artists.

   For shepherds wishing to enter fleeces, advance registration is encouraged but not required.  Fleeces will be accepted for entry from 7 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. Saturday.  The show features divisions for commercial market class, handspinning-white, handspinning-natural colored and Shetland fleeces.

   For more information, go to the Festival website or Festival catalog or contact Superintendent Marry Wallace, 608/884-4301 or whitedove@jvlnet.com.

 

Handspun Skein Contest

   Ever wonder how your spinning stacks up against that of other fiber enthusiasts?  Here’s your chance to find out!  The Handspun Skein Contest takes place in The Country Store, with judging scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday.  Spinners should check in their entries from 9 a.m. until noon.  Organizers offer separate classes for youth and adults in the following categories:  Single-ply, two-ply, drop spindle, novelty and machine-spun yarn.  Joan LeClair of Waukesha, Wisconsin, will serve as judge.

 

Art Under Foot

   Rug hooking was an integral part of early American life.  The Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival is privileged to host, for the first time, “Art Under Foot”, an impressive display of handcrafted rugs, thanks to members of the Cream City Rug Hookers and Wisconsin Quilt History Project Inc.  The exhibit resides in the Activity Center throughout Saturday and Sunday.

 

Sheep to Shawl Demonstration

   Curious about all the steps required to take raw wool and turn it into a garment?  The members of the Marshall Pleasant Spinners will demonstrate just that on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in The Country Store.  Don’t miss this “sheep to shawl” demonstration.

 

Wool Contest

   Last year, Jessica Franklin, Wisconsin’s junior winner in the Make It Yourself With Wool Contest, went on to win the national contest, and organizers anticipate seeing the same high quality of garments in this year’s state contest.  The contest takes place on Saturday.  August 31 is the entry deadline for the Wisconsin Make It Yourself With Wool Contest.

   Entrants of any age can compete with sewn, woven, knitted or crocheted clothing constructed for themselves or others or enter a quilt or afghan.  In the quilt division, entries may be wall hangings, quilts or challenge wall hangings.  Fabrics or fibers must be 100% wool or a minimum of 60% wool or specialty fiber, including mohair, cashmere, alpaca, camel, llama or vicuna.

   The contest culminates with a Best of Wisconsin Style Show at 2:15 p.m. Saturday in the Activity Center.

   For contest details, contact MIYWW State Director Carol Battenberg at 920/699-2233 or batten@tds.net.  Entry forms also are available at county Extension offices, on the Festival website or in the Festival catalog.

 

Shearing Demonstrations

   David Kier returns to the Festival on Saturday and Sunday to demonstrate his shearing skills and answer questions of both beginning and experienced shepherds.  This year, he will present a new workshop on shearing standing sheep, a favorite method preferred by shepherds who cannot physically hold their sheep in a traditional shearer’s stance or who have a hard-to-handle animal.

   Kier has an agriculture and animal science degree from the University of Arizona and learned the shearing trade over a four-year period in New Zealand, after which he spent 18 years shearing in California.  In addition to maintaining a commercial flock near Eleva, he travels throughout Wisconsin shearing sheep.

   Kier will present shearing demonstrations on Saturday at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and on Sunday at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m.  The workshop on shearing standing sheep will take place at 1 p.m. Sunday.  The workshop and all demonstrations take place in the Draft Horse Barn.

 

Viewer’s-Choice Photo Contest

   You get to pick the winners!  Entries for the WSBC photo Contest are due August 9.  Photos can be entered in any of five categories, including a category for youth photographers.  Festival visitors will vote for their favorite photographs, and many of the top photos will appear in The Wisconsin Shepherd.

   For contest details, go to the Festival website, catalog or contact Jane Metcalf at 608/754-9571 or jmetcalf@ticon.net.

 

Shepherds’ Auction

   The Shepherds’ Auction is a great opportunity to purchase everything from quilts to spinning equipment, framed prints and sports memorabilia to sheep-production equipment, roving and yarn.  Get into the spirit of the auction as Bob Johnson of Badger Auction Service begins the bidding at 5 p.m. Saturday in the Activity Center, and enjoy a lamb BBQ supper offered by Capn’s Catering at 6 p.m.  This auction is supported by donations from Festival exhibitors, vendors and WSBC members and supporters, and proceeds support post-secondary scholarships and WSBC’s educational programs.

   Bid early and often—that’s the best advice for the Silent Auction, which runs from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Activity Center.  Organizers encourage bidders to bid early in the day and to continue checking the bidding throughout the day.  Unique gift items, sheep supplies and fiber-arts equipment are among the items typically donated to the Silent Auction.  Items purchased in the Silent Auction should be picked up by 5 p.m. Saturday.

   If you would like to donate items to either the Shepherds’ Auction or Silent Auction, contact Dick and Sylvia Roembke at 262/377-1491 or rsrmke@nconnect.net or stop at the Festival registration area in the lobby of the Activity Center or the Silent Auction table in the Activity Center.

 

Your Support

Makes It Happen!

  Since the first Wisconsin Sheep Industry Conference in 1979, the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative has been fortunate to receive generous support from producers and businesses to help fund educational efforts.

   Your support allows WSBC to award four annual post-secondary scholarships, underwrite on-going communications through The Wisconsin Shepherd newsletter and WSBC and Festival websites, support regional shepherds’ clinics, fund a Summer Field Day, promote lamb and wool, support the Make It Yourself With Wool program and provide consumer education at the Wisconsin State Fair.

   Membership dues, the Wisconsin Wool Works! booth at State Fair, Festival income, the Festival’s Shepherds’ and Silent Auctions and your contributions make these programs happen.  Your financial and in-kind support is greatly appreciated!

   For information on making a contribution to WSBC, contact Dick Roembke, 262/377-1491 or rsrmke@nconnect.net.  We urge you to join WSBC; a membership form is located on page 2.









Wisconsin Classic Deadline is July 15

   Quality runs deep at the Wisconsin Classic sheep sale, a sale featuring both ewes and rams, including rams that have been evaluated through the Wisconsin Ram Test.  The Wisconsin Classic takes place Saturday, September 9 at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival at Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson.  The sale, sponsored by the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative, will be held in the Indoor Horse Arena.

   Sale consignment entries are due July 15.

   A used Equipment Sale precedes the Wisconsin Classic at 2 p.m. in the Youth Building.

   “The quality of sheep at this sale is really impressive,” says Sale Chairman Eric Meudt.  “Last year’s quality was really deep for all the breeds.  I don’t think most people know how deep the sale quality is.  And the sheep are really affordable.  This is a very reasonable sale.”

   Organizers were pleased with the number of breeds represented at last year’s sale, and are anticipating the number and variety of breeds offered at this year’s sale will be even better.

   What is now the Wisconsin Classic grew out of a production ram-test sale, but the Wisconsin Classic now reaches far beyond being primarily a meat-breeds sale.

   “We had some wool sheep last year that were really, really good, so if people have wool breeds in mind, this sale is likely to have some phenomenal consignments,” Meudt stressed.

   New in 2006, the sale order is determined by the previous year’s high-selling breed average, with the highest-selling consignors within each respective breed from last year’s sale selling their animals first. 

   With the sale catalog being online, organizers plan to utilize submitted photos of consigned animals to promote the sale.  An advance hard copy of the sale catalog also is available from the WSBC office.

   Entry rules and forms are available at WSBC’s website—www.wisbc.com—and the website for the Festival, www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com.  They also are available from WSBC at wisbc@centurytel.net or 608/868-2505.

   For more information about the Wisconsin Classic, contact Eric Meudt, 608/883-9936 or ericandjenny@meudtshowlambs.com.









State Fair Offers Nine Days of Shows

   The Wisconsin State Fair takes place in West Allis from August 3-13, but sheep shows begin two days prior to the official start of the Fair.  Sheep shows run from August 1 through 10, with August 1 through 7 set as the Open Show and August 8 through 10 set as the Junior Show.

   Shows are scheduled for:

·        August 1 - 9:30 a.m. – Wether-type sheep

·        August 2 – Noon – Shropshire, Southdown

·        August 3 – 8 a.m. – Dorset, Montadale

·        August 4 – Noon – Cheviot, Hampshire

·        August 5 – 8 a.m. – Suffolk, Oxford

·        August 6 – 8 a.m. - Wool; 10 a.m. – Long Wool, Rambouillet, Columbia, Targhee

·        August 7 – 8 a.m. – Corriedale, Colored, Lincoln

·        August 8 – Junior skill contests:  Noon – Skillathon & Quiz; 2 p.m. – Judging Contest; 5 p.m. – Showmanship

·        August 9 – 8 a.m. – Market Lambs; 2 p.m. – Columbia, Corriedale, Rambouillet, Targhee, Wool breeds/any other breed; 4:30 p.m. – Championship Drive; 6:30 p.m. – Governor’s Blue Ribbon Livestock Auction; 7 p.m. – Lead Class

·        August 10 – 8 a.m. - Cheviot, Commercial, Dorset, Horned Dorset, Hampshire, Meat breeds/any other breed, Montadale, Oxford, Shropshire, Southdown, Suffolk

 









Spooner Sheep Day Set for August 26

   The 52nd version of the Biennial Spooner Sheep Day will be held on Saturday, August 26 at the Spooner Agricultural Research Station.  The program is designed to appeal to people with a wide array of interests in the sheep industry. 

   The featured topic will be adding value to your lambs through direct marketing.  A group of producers who are direct marketing lambs or goats, individual cuts of meat, or processed meat products will discuss their marketing programs.  Speakers identified to date on this topic include Judy Moses and Larry Jacoby, Downing, WI; Steve Schotthofer, Cochrane, WI; and Dan Guertin, Stillwater, MN.  Dr. Gary Onan from UW-River Falls will discuss the rules and regulations regarding direct sales of lamb and goat meat and products from your farm. The morning program will end with a presentation by Dr. Dave Thomas, UW-Madison, on the results of a study evaluating different types of electronic ear tags in sheep.

   The afternoon will be spent at the sheep farm at the Spooner Ag Research Station.  Philip Holman, the research station’s assistant superintendent, will present an update on the station’s pasture research and demonstrations.  Claire Mikolayunas, Animal Sciences graduate student, and Steve Eckerman, summer intern at the research station, will give a demonstration on estimation of pasture dry matter and discuss utilization of pastures.  Dave Thomas will demonstrate body condition scoring of ewes and discuss its application to efficient sheep management.

   Registration begins at 8 a.m., and the program is scheduled to end at 3 p.m.  Attendance at the educational sessions of the Spooner Sheep Day is free.  There is a charge for the lamb barbecue lunch and a printed copy of the proceedings.

   The Spooner Agricultural Research Station is located in northwestern Wisconsin on Highway 70 just west of Highway 53 and just east of the town of Spooner.  For more information, contact Lorraine Toman (715-635-3735, lltoman@facstaff.wisc.edu).  The complete program can be viewed at www.uwex.edu/ces/animalscience/sheep/.









Spring Preview Show Draws 235 Sheep

Spring Preview Show

Spring Preview Show Draws 235 Sheep

   The Wisconsin Livestock Breeders Association’s Spring Preview Show attracted 235 sheep, including 91 breeding animals and 144 market lambs.

Market Lambs

   Jed Dallas exhibited the over-all prospect champion, a Hampshire, while Austin Domanski had the reserve champion, a Suffolk.  Heather Malone had the over-all market-lamb champion, a crossbred, and Alecia Treml carried home the reserve-champion honors with her Natural Colored lamb.

   In the prospect classes, the following youth exhibited the champion and reserve champions respectively:  Tabitha Kelman and Andy Robinson, Dorset; Jed Dallas and Alecia Treml, Hampshire; Dathan Smerchek and Andy Robinson, Natural Colored; Austin Domanski and McKenna Kent, Shropshire; Austin Domanski and Katelyn George, Suffolk; and Alecia Treml and Katie Burke, Crossbred.

   In the market-lamb classes, the following exhibitors had the champion and reserve champions respectively:  Cassy Krull and Donnie Robinson, Dorset; Jamie Johnson and Ryan Bingen, Hampshire; Alecia Treml and Craig Green, Natural Colored; Alecia Treml and Jordan Cook, Shropshire; Brady Sprecher and John Jones, Southdown; Austin Domanski, both champion and reserve, Suffolk; and Heather Malone and Craig Green, Crossbred.

Breeding Sheep

   In the breeding-sheep show, John Alf exhibited the supreme ewe, a Hampshire yearling, while John Jones had the reserve supreme ewe, a Southdown fall lamb.  Ryan Harnack exhibited the supreme ram, a Dorset fall lamb, while Jordan Alf had the reserve supreme ram, a Hampshire spring lamb.

   In the breeding-sheep classes, Morgan Zernicke exhibited the champion Columbia ewe.  Alecia Treml took her fall ewe to championship honors in the Commercial classes, while Justine Ace earned reserve-champion honors.

   In the Dorset show, Ryan Harnack had the champion ewe, a fall lamb, while his sister, Elizabeth took reserve-champion ewe honors with her winter ewe.  Ryan Harnack also had the champion ram, a fall lamb, while Mike Houfe had the reserve-champion ram, a yearling.

   The Hampshire show was topped by the Alf family, with John Alf earning champion ewe and reserve-champion ram honors, both with yearlings.  Jessica Alf exhibited a winter ewe to reserve-champion honors, and Jordan Alf showed the champion ram, a spring lamb.

   John Jones exhibited the champion Montadale ewe, while Andy Robinson had the champion Shropshire ewe.  In Southdowns, John Jones exhibited both the champion and reserve-champion ewes, a fall lamb and yearling ewe respectively.  Courtney Lobdell exhibited the champion ram, a yearling, and Dathan Smerchek took his winter ram to reserve-champion honors.

   In the Suffolk show, Amanda Wedemayer earned both champion and reserve ewe honors with her yearling and winter lamb respectively.  Dorothy Ahrens had the champion ram, while Dominique Ahrens had the reserve-champion ram.

   Andy Nevens exhibited the champion Targhee ewe, while Joelle Nevens had the reserve-champion ewe.  Crystal Novak had the champion Tunis ram.

   Showmanship winners and their respective age group were Alecia Treml, 18+; John Alf, 16-17; John Jones, 14-15; Sidney Sprecher, 12-13; Lauren Ace, 10-11; and Colin Novak, 9 and under.  Other contest winners were John Jones, senior poster contest; Kelly Vierck, junior poster contest; Aly Dallas, junior lead line; and Morgan Zernicke, beginning lead line.

   The Spring Preview Show was held in Jefferson on June 10.

 

 

SUPREME EWE – John Alf exhibited the supreme champion ewe, a Hampshire.

 

 

SUPREME RAM – Ryan Harnack had the supreme champion ram, a Dorset.









Wisconsin Youth Sweep Showmanship at National Show

Wisconsin Youth Sweep

Wisconsin Youth Sweep Showmanship at National Show

 

   It’s an enviable record:  Every single Wisconsin youth who entered showmanship contests at the All-American Junior Show came away with either a first- or second-place ranking, and Wisconsin’s three team-showmanship duos topped their classes.

   The showmanship contests at the All-American Junior Show, held in West Springfield, Mass., took place on June 30.

   Megan Bishop, Rio, took second place in the 20-21-year-old showmanship class.  John Alf, Edgerton topped the 17-year-old showmanship class, while Katherine Kuykendall, Richland Center, placed second.  Jordan Alf, Edgerton, won the 16-year-old showmanship class, and John Jones, Rio, placed second in the 15-year-old showmanship contest.  Jessica Alf, Edgerton, topped the 11-year-old showmanship class.

  In the team-showmanship competition, Jessica Alf and Jones topped junior team showmanship.  John and Jordan Alf topped intermediate team showmanship, and Kuykendall and Bishop topped the senior team-showmanship contest.

   Wisconsin youth also brought home nine championships and other national honors.  In the Montadale show, Kuykendall exhibited the top February ewe lamb and second yearling ewe, which went on to be named reserve champion ewe.  In the Natural Colored show, she had first fall ram lamb, first January ewe lamb and first, second and third ewe lambs.  She also had the reserve champion ewe and champion ram.  In the Cheviot show, Kuykendall had the first March ewe lamb, the first yearling ewe, which went on to be named champion ewe, and the first March ram lamb, which went on to be named the champion ram.  Kuykendall also had the first-place senior ad layout and second senior T-shirt design.

   In the Southdown show, Jones had the first yearling ewe and the second heavyweight market lamb.  In other contests, Jones placed second in the intermediate judging contest, third in the intermediate Skillathon, second in the intermediate photo contest, third in the intermediate essay competition and third in the intermediate T-shirt design contest.

   Avery Spilde, Stoughton, had the fifth-place late-February Southdown ewe lamb. 

   In the same show, Bishop had the grand champion ram, a January ram lamb, and the junior champion ewe, a January ewe lamb.  She had the grand champion market lamb, a heavyweight market lamb, and the grand champion fleece over all breeds.  She also had the second and third yearling ewes, third fall ram lamb, fourth young flock and fourth best of four head of ewes.  She placed first in the senior logo contest, second in the senior Skillathon contest and third in the senior essay contest.

   In the Hampshire show, the Alf family had the second and third February ram lamb and first and second yearling ewes, with the top ewe being named the show’s champion ewe.  They had the third January ewe lamb, first February ewe lamb, second March ewe lamb, first pair of yearling ewes, second pair of ewe lambs, second young flock and first best of four head of ewes.  John Alf was honored with the Hampshire Young Gun Award and a 2006 All-American Scholarship.

   In addition to those listed above, Wisconsin youth competing in breed classes included CJ McClintock, Bangor and Brandt Spilde, Stoughton.

 

 

ALL-AMERICAN WINNERS – Showmanship winners at the All-American Junior Show were (front row, left to right) Jessica Alf, Megan Bishop, Katherine Kuykendall, (back row) John Jones, Jordan Alf and John Alf.









WSBC Industry Briefs

2006 Livestock Quiz Bowl contest results

Livestock Quiz Bowl Attracts 21 Teams

   Twenty-one teams from across the state participated in the Livestock Quiz Bowl in Portage on March 4.  The Livestock Quiz Bowl, sponsored by University of Wisconsin – Extension and partially funded by the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation, is a competition in which teams answer questions about beef, sheep and swine topics.
   The Marathon County #2 team won the junior division.  Team members included Raymond Christiansen, Jared Radcliffe, Dathan Smercheck and Randy Christiansen, and Renee Radcliffe served as coach. The Marathon County #1 team, consisting of Kelsi Smerchek, Kelly Wirkus, Calli Bayer and Jessica Radcliffe and coached by Shelly Smerchek, placed second. Third place went to the Dane County team.
   The Green County team won the senior division.  Team members included Naomi Gordee, Alicia Gordee, Mike Richardson and Devan Brugger, and Alissa Grenawalt was the coach.  The Marathon County team placed second; members were Courtney White, Melanie Zernicke, Meredith Zernicke and Amy Henaman, and Jon and JoAnn Brubacher served as coaches. Third place went to Sheboygan County.
   The team from Jefferson County won the mixed division, the division that has members from both junior and senior age divisions.  Team members included Justin Horack, Kelly Lee, Nathan Horack and TJ Doherty, and Katie DeBruin served as coach.  The Dodge County team, consisting of Caitlyn Lynch, Sam Arndt, Kelly Vierick and Christopher Vierick and coached by Janet Arndt and Dawn Loomis-Vierick, placed second.  The Marathon County team placed third.
  For more information about the Livestock Quiz Bowl, contact Bernie O’Rourke, UW-Extension youth livestock specialist, 608/263-4304 or borourke2@ansci.wisc.edu.

 

Animal Welfare Contest Debuts in Wisconsin

 

   Teams from Jefferson and Dodge Counties will go down in history as having topped the first statewide Youth Animal Welfare Judging Contest.  Held March 26 at the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus, the contest drew 20 participants who completed rankings and questions on the management, health and welfare of animals.

   The Jefferson County team, consisting of Lauren Holterman, Cameron Pauli and Tabitha Kelman, topped the senior division.  Top senior individuals, in order, were Lauren Holterman, Cameron Pauli and Tabitha Kelman.  The team from Dodge County, consisting of Kelli Vierck, Chris Vierck, Eva Arndt, Dakota Neff and Sam Arndt, topped the junior division, followed by the Jefferson County team.  Top junior individuals, in order, were Kelly Vierck, Carrie Warmka, Dalton Kelman, Taylor Holterman and Jenni Knoeppel.

 

 

ANIMAL WELFARE TEAM – The winning Animal Welfare Contest senior team consisted of (left to right) Lauren Holterman, Cameron Pauli and Tabitha Kelman.

 

State 4-H Meats Contest Results


   A Columbia County 4-H team will represent Wisconsin at the National 4-H Meats Judging Contest in Kansas City after having won the state 4-H meats Contest on the University of Wisconsin – Madison campus in February.  Team members include Sheena Rhiner, John Jones, Bailey Quam and Devon Goehring.  The team was coached by coached by Todd Taylor and Gail Goehring.
   The second place senior team, from Grant County, will represent Wisconsin at a contest in Denver, Colorado. Team members were Julie Orth, John Mark Napp, Samantha Jackson and Katrina Schwer,  and Dennis Patterson served as coach.

   Eleven counties participated in the state contest, evaluating classes of hams, beef, pork and lamb carcasses, lamb chops and pork blade steaks. The youth also identified 30 retail cuts of beef, pork or lamb and graded five beef carcasses.
   The top ten senior individual judges, in order, were Devon Goehring, Columbia County; Sarah Miller, Portage; Rebecca Keel, Dodge; Sheena Rhiner, Columbia; Katie Wirkus, Marathon; Julie Orth, Grant; John Mark Napp, Grant; Samantha Jackson, Grant; Andrew Condon, Dodge; and Bailey Quam, Columbia.
   The Marathon County team topped the junior contest.  Team members were Ty Bayer, Theresa Bergs, Calli Bayer, and Jessica Radcliffe. The second place junior team was from Dodge County; team members were Cassandra Meyer, Kelli Vierck, Alexus Butler, and Dakota Neff.
   The top ten junior individual judges, in order, were Calli Bayer, Marathon County; Theresa Bergs, Marathon; Cassandra Meyer, Dodge; Ty Bayer, Marathon; Kelly Vierck, Dodge; Andrea Patterson, Grant; Everett Schwer, Grant; Amanda Patterson, Grant; Becca Frank, Grant; and Walter Zabel, Crawford.
   The state 4-H Meats Judging Contest was sponsored by UW-Madison and UW-Extension, with the Wisconsin 4-H Foundation providing partial funding.

New Zealand Flock Grows While EU’s Shrinks

   New Zealand has had its first increase in sheep numbers since the 1980s, ASI Weekly, an online publication of the American Sheep Industry Association, reports.  In 2005, there were 39.9 million sheep roaming through the pastures, an increase of two percent from 2004.
   Statistics indicate the increase was due to a significant increase in hogget (young sheep) numbers, which jumped 11 percent from 2004.
   Sheep numbers in New Zealand peaked in 1982 and then trended downward.

   Total sheep numbers in the European Union (EU), however, were down roughly two percent in December 2005 compared to the previous year, according to the European Market Survey.

    In the United Kingdom, breeding ewe numbers were down four percent from 2004 levels, to 15.6 million head, while overall sheep numbers in 2005 fell by three percent, to 23.9 million head. Spain's breeding numbers have dropped by eight percent over the last two years, and its 2005 sheep flock was one percent lower than in 2004, at 22.51 million head. Combined, the UK and Spain account for approximately half of the total EU sheep flock.
    Sheep numbers in France and Greece dropped slightly, by two percent and one percent, during 2005, to 8.76 million and 9.18 million head, respectively. Italy's sheep flock fell by two percent in 2005, to 7.95 million head.

 

Mandatory and Voluntary Scrapie Programs for Sheep

 

   Dave Thomas, University of Wisconsin – Extension sheep specialists, reports producers have some confusion between voluntary and mandatory scrapie programs designed for sheep producers.  Every operation with sheep in the U.S. must be enrolled in the Scrapie Eradication Program or the Scrapie Flock Certification Program. For additional information, go to www.aphis.usda.gov/vs/nahps/scrapie/.

Mandatory:  Scrapie Eradication Program

   The Scrapie Eradication Program is mandated by the Federal government.  By federal regulation, all sheep flocks in the U.S. must have a scrapie program premise identification number, and all sheep, other than lambs under 18 months of age going to slaughter, must have an official USDA scrapie eradication program tag in its ear when it leaves the farm.

   The federal scrapie program premise identification number is different from, and in addition to, the livestock premise identification number required by Wisconsin law through the Wisconsin Livestock Identification Consortium.  The official scrapie eradication ear tags and applicator are free through the USDA Veterinary Services Office in each state.

   Wisconsin producers should call the USDA Veterinary Services office in Madison toll free at 866-873-2824 and request extension 4072 (Doug Rydberg) or extension 4073 (Aaron Moore). Doug and Aaron can assign scrapie program premise identification numbers and order the free official ear tags and applicator to be sent directly to the producer.

   Official scrapie tags are required for show sheep and lambs according to the following “Wisconsin County, District, & State Fairs 2006, Animal Health Rules and Regulations.”  The rules for sheep originating from within Wisconsin require that sexually intact sheep of any age and all other sheep 18 months of age and older must be identified with official scrapie ear tags or other official scrapie identification. Sheep exposed to scrapie will not be allowed for exhibition.  Rules for sheep originating from outside Wisconsin say that all sheep must be accompanied by a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection. All sheep must be identified with official scrapie ear tags or other official scrapie identification. Sheep exposed to scrapie will not be allowed to enter Wisconsin.

   In addition, some Wisconsin fairs also may require that wether lambs under 18 months of age originating in Wisconsin have official scrapie ear tags. Exhibitors should check the regulations of their shows.

   Many livestock markets require that all sheep, including slaughter lambs under 18 months of age, have an official USDA scrapie tag.  Animals that show up at such markets without an official scrapie tag are tagged at the market, and the producer often is charged for this service (about $5.00/head).  Therefore, a practical approach is to have an official scrapie ear tag in every sheep that leaves the farm, no matter what its age or destination.

Voluntary:  Scrapie Flock Certification Program

   The Scrapie Flock Certification Program (SFCP) is a voluntary program with the aim to certify flocks as scrapie-free after several years with no incidence of scrapie in the flock or no potential exposure of the flock to scrapie. The program requires a premise identification number and official scrapie ear tags, similar to the scrapie eradication program. 

   In addition, producers in the program must maintain detailed animal inventories of births, deaths, purchases and sales of animals. A review of flock records and a comparison of the current paper inventory of sheep in the flock against the actual sheep present on the farm are conducted through periodic on-site visits by a Federal veterinarian. The official SFCP ear tags must be purchased by the producer, but they meet the requirements of an official scrapie ear tag required by the scrapie eradication program.

   The SFCP meets and exceeds all the requirements of the Scrapie Eradication Program so producers in the SFCP are automatically enrolled in the mandatory scrapie eradication program. Wisconsin producers can sign up for the SFCP by calling the USDA Veterinary Services Office in Madison toll free at 866-873-2824 and requesting extension 4072 (Doug Rydberg) or extension 4073 (Aaron Moore).  

 

 

State's Wolf Population Increases


    The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources says the state's gray wolf population is getting bigger.the Wisconsin Ag Connection. And unfortunately, so is the number of cases where the wild animals are preying on livestock, reports Wisconsin Ag Connection and ASI Weekly, the online publication of the American Sheep industry Association.

   Using a combination of tracking surveys, monitoring of radio-collared animals and reported observations, state wildlife biologists estimate the wolf population in Wisconsin to be in the range of 465 to 502 animals at the end of this past winter. The population includes 115 packs and at least 12 loners and represents about a seven-percent increase from the 2004-05 winter count of 435 to 465.
    Biologists, aided by volunteers, have conducted annual wolf population surveys since the winter of 1979-80. Surveys are conducted by following snow covered forest roads noting wolf tracks in fresh snow and by locating and observing the approximately 40 Wisconsin wolves currently wearing radio collars.
    The 2006 count includes 16 to 17 wolves on reservations, leaving 449 to 485 wolves outside of Indian reservations, according to Adrian Wydeven, a conservation biologist and wolf specialist with the state DNR.
    Meanwhile, wolves were reported having preyed on livestock at 25 farms during the past year, mostly in northern Wisconsin, killing 31 cattle, three horses and three sheep while injuring three cattle. This was an increase from 22 farms in 2004 and 14 farms in 2003. Wolves also killed 17 dogs and injured six dogs. Problem wolves were trapped by U.S. Department of Agriculture's Wildlife Services at 14 farms and 29 wolves were euthanized by special permit from the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
    Wisconsin's Wolf Management Plan calls for a population of 350 wolves outside of Indian reservations. Wolves are currently listed as a protected wild animal by the state of Wisconsin. However, the federal government continues to list wolves as an endangered species.
 









Bred Ewe Sale Rules & Entry Form

   For the 54th year, WSBC’s Wisconsin Bred Ewe and Ewe Lamb Sale will be offering some of the state’s finest breeding stock to producers.  The sale is slated for Saturday November 4 at the Rock County Fairgrounds in Janesville.  A show will take place at 9 a.m., followed by a youth judging contest at 11 a.m.  The sale begins at 1 p.m.

   Sale entries are due October 1.  The sale catalog will not be published in The Wisconsin Shepherd, but will be posted on WSBC’s website, enabling the publication of photographs of ewes offered for sale.  The sale catalog is available from WSBC at wisbc@centurytel.net or 608/868-2505.  Sale advertising will appear in several agricultural newspapers.

   Last year’s sale brought an average price of $334 on ewes sold, up from $282 in 2004.

   As part of the sale, the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative will sponsor a judging contest for all 4-H, FFA and other youth at 11 a.m.  Prizes to top judges will be awarded in each division.  Youth 13 years old and younger as of the sale day will be in the junior division, and the senior division will be made up of youth 14 years old and above. 

   Entry forms are available at WSBC’s website or from WSBC’s Jill Alf, 608/868-2505.

   For more information, contact Sale Chairpersons Gary Klug, 920/863-5584; Dawn Kundert, 608/437-4713 or dktuckaway@aol.com; or Keith Schultz, 920/568-0895.

 

 

 

54th Annual Wisconsin Bred Ewe and Ewe Lamb Sale

Saturday, November 4, 2004

Show – 9 a.m.   Youth Judging Contest – 11 a.m.     Sale – 1 p.m.

Rock County 4-H Fairgrounds, Janesville, Wisconsin

Auctioneer:  Robert Johnson, Milton, Wisconsin, 608/868-2199

Entry deadline:  October 1, 2006

 

Rules for Entry

 

1.      Sale is open to all paid 2006 members and associate members of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative.  Membership fees should accompany entry forms.

2.      Consignors may sell individual ewes or individual ewe lambs.  Cull ewes will be sifted from the mature-ewe entries.

3.      Each breeder may consign a maximum of 10 head per breed or type.

4.      Consignment fee:  $20 per individual entry.  Proper fees must accompany entries.

5.      Sales commission:  11% per individual entry.

6.      Age classifications for show order:

            Mature ewes – Born after September 1, 2001

            Yearling ewes – Born after September 1, 2004

            Fall ewe lambs – Born after September 1, 2005

            Spring ewe lambs – Born after January 1, 2006

7.      Sale order within breed or type will be determined with a show the morning of the sale date.

8.      A sale catalog will be posted on the WSBC website: www.wisbc.com and www.sheepsales.com by October 20th.   Additional advertising will appear in Wisconsin State Farmer, Country Today/Master Stockman, Agri-View and Illinois AgriNews.  Hard copies of the sale catalog can be requested by contacting Jill Alf at 608/868-2505 or wisbc@centurytel.net.

9.      In order to sell, consignor must deliver to the sale clerk on sale day a certificate of registry (if applicable) and a breeding certificate on all bred ewes.  Purebred animals without completed registration papers will be sold as commercial animals.

10.  Individual health papers indicating freedom of infectious diseases, including foot rot, is required on sale day.  Please bring a copy for each individual consignment.  All animals must bear a scrapie ear tag or identification.

11.   Entries are due on October 1, 2006.  Send entries to:

 

Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative

Jill Alf, Executive Secretary-Treasurer

7811 Consolidated School Road

Edgerton, WI  53534

608/868-2505 or fax:  608/868-6200