1. 55th Bred Ewe Sale Slated for November 3
2. Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival Packed with New Activities
3. Who ‘Ya Gonna Call?
4. WS&WF Schedule
5. Producers’ Roundtable Schedule
6. Wisconsin Wool Works: Telling A Story
7. Wonders of Wool – Class Schedule & Instructors
8. Field Day Focuses on Raising Lambs With Wolves
9. Wool Featured at State 4-H Conference
10. WSBC Briefs
11. WSBC Seeks Industry’s Best
12. President's Notes
13. Around the Globe
14. ISBA Plans Shearing School
15. Kelli Gunderson Joins The Wisconsin Shepherd
16. Spooner Sheep Day Focuses on Dairy
17. Sheep & Wool Photo Contest Entries Due August 20
18. State Fair Features Two National Shows
19. Spring Preview Show Draws 100 Exhibitors
20. Industry Briefs

   A lot has changed in the sheep industry in the last 55 years.  New breeds have emerged, sheep have gotten larger and taller, and the club-lamb industry has emerged.  One thing has not changed, however:  The Wisconsin Bred Ewe and Ewe Lamb Sale is still a popular sale at which to buy quality ewes to build flocks and make genetic improvements to existing flocks.

   For 55 years, WSBC’s Wisconsin Bred Ewe and Ewe Lamb Sale has been offering some of the Upper Midwest’s finest breeding stock to both beginning and experienced shepherds.  The 55^th annual sale is scheduled for Saturday, November 3 at the Rock County Fairgrounds in Janesville.  A show will take place at 9 a.m. to determine sale order, followed by a judging contest for youth at 11 a.m.  The sale begins at 1 p.m.

   The sale is open to all breeds and types of ewes.

   “This is the 55^th year of the Bred Ewe and Lamb Sale, and there are many good reasons it has stood the test of time, one being that people can purchase quality breeding stock at a fair price,” says Gary Klug, WSBC president and sale co-chair.  “People feel they get good value from this sale.  Many a flock in this state has started at this event.”

   Sale entries are due September 25.  Sale advertising will appear in Wisconsin State Farmer, The Country Today, Agri-View and Illinois AgriNews.  The sale catalog will be posted on WSBC’s website—www.wisbc.com.  Producers can obtain a copy of the catalog in paper form prior to the sale by calling WSBC Executive Secretary Jill Alf at 608/868-2505 or emailing her at wisbc@centurytel.net.

   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 compete in the junior division, and the senior division will be made up of youth 14 years old and above.

    For more information, contact WSBC’s Jill Alf at 608/868-2505 or wisbc@centurytel.net.  The Wisconsin Bred Ewe and Ewe Lamb Sale Committee is chaired by Gary Klug (920/863-5584 or klughihamp@tm.net) and Wes Jennings (608/868-2795 or jennings002@centurytel.net).

55th Annual Wisconsin Bred Ewe and Ewe Lamb Sale

Saturday, November 3, 2007

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:  September 25, 2007

Rules for Entry

1.      Sale is open to all paid 2007 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, 2002

            Yearling ewes – Born after September 1, 2005

            Fall ewe lambs – Born after September 1, 2006

            Spring ewe lambs – Born after January 1, 2007

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 20^th.   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 September 25.  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

wisbc@centurytel.net

12.  Vendors selling sheep equipment/items or organizations selling food at the sale will be required to pay a $25 vendor fee and must be WSBC members.

13.  Raffles by organizations other than WSBC are not allowed.

The Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative will sponsor a judging contest for youth at 11 a.m. before the sale.   Junior Division:  13 and younger; Senior Division:  14 and older, as of sale day.  Prizes will be awarded in each division.  Please inform your 4-H and FFA members.

   The Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival continues to add new activities and opportunities for sheep producers, fiber enthusiasts and people interested in sheep and rural life.  That means, if it has to do with state’s sheep and wool industry in Wisconsin, you’ll find it at the Festival!

   The sixth annual Festival will be held Friday through Sunday, September 7 – 9 at Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson.

   New activities at this year’s Festival include the Sheep 101 workshop, Will “Ewe” Teach Me to Knit? Workshop, Lambing Barn, Hall of Breeds, Farm and Breed Displays, Herding 101, Poster Contest, History of Wool in the Military display and Wisconsin Ram Test Alley.  Of course, there’s always new in familiar Festival events like the Wonders of Wool Fiber Arts Classes and Producers’ Roundtable sessions.  So dig in!  This year’s Festival has more to offer than ever!

   For detailed information about the Festival, visit its website—www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com—or request a Festival catalog by e-mailing wisbc@centurytelnet or calling 608/868-2505.

Sheep 101

   Sheep 101 is an intensive one-day workshop designed for beginning and prospective shepherds, but it also has something for shepherds that want to hone their skills.  Advance registration by August 25 is required for this program.  Participants will gain information on getting started, breed selection, the basics of sheep production, increasing lamb survival, biosecurity, pre-breeding management, economics of sheep production and shelter and fencing.  This is a must-attend workshop for both youth and beginning shepherds!

Will “Ewe” Teach Me to Knit?

   What kid can resist a class with this name?  A team of experienced knitters will introduce teens and younger kids to knitting.  Join this Saturday session (10 a.m. to 2 p.m.) for a few minutes or a few hours for hands-on instruction and a lot of fun.  Learn to make your own knitting needles, then dig into learning some basic knitting stitches using wool and wool-blend yarns.  Pre-registration is not required.  Participants need to bring knitting needles, size 8, 9 or 10, and a $5 class fee.

Lambing Barn!

   Nothing’s cuter than newborn lambs!  Take some time to stop at the Indoor Horse Arena and see mothers with their newborn lambs.  With any luck at all, you could witness the birth of lambs!  Ewes and lambs from the University of Wisconsin – Arlington Sheep Research Unit and University of Wisconsin – Madison are the featured stars at the Lambing Barn.

Hall of Breeds

  Ever wonder what the different breeds look like and what are their characteristics?  The Hall of Breeds, located in the Indoor Horse Arena, is the perfect place to find out.  Sheep producers from around the state will display sheep representative of the breeds they raise, and they’ll provide information about the breeds—advantages, disadvantages, history, primary purpose and temperament, for example.  Thinking of getting started in sheep production but don’t know which breeds you’d like best?  This is a must-see display!

Farm & Breed Displays

   In addition to the sheep shown in competition, the Festival offers an opportunity for breeders to showcase their farms and sheep.  Wisconsin’s sheep industry is nothing if not diverse, and you’ll enjoy meeting producers and learning about the breeds they raise and their production systems.  The Farm and Breed Displays are located in the Indoor Horse Arena on Saturday and Sunday.

Poster Contest

   Brand new to the Festival is the Sheep and Wool Poster Contest for both kids and adults.  Here’s an opportunity to express your creativity!  Create a poster that is educational, promotional or presents a theme idea for the 2008 Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival.  Kids aged three to six, can enter a colorbook picture.

   For complete details or to receive a colorbook page, go to the Festival catalog or website.  Posters and colorbook pictures should be turned in at the main hall of the Activity Center by 8 p.m. on September 7.

Herding 101

   Here’s an opportunity for dog owners of any herding breed to check for herding instinct and/or hone their dog’s skills.  Throughout the weekend, professional trainer Joyce Burnham will offer training sessions, working one-on-one with dogs.  This is a great opportunity to learn if dogs have what it takes to serve as true working partners.  Pre-registration by August 25 is requested for both classes and instinct tests.

Wisconsin Ram Test Alley

   A selection of tested ram lambs from the 2007 Wisconsin Ram Test and yearling rams from the 2006 Test will be penned by individual consignors in the Indoor Horse Arena and will be available for sale by private treaty from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. on Saturday.  Complete Test Station information for each ram will be posted, and consignors will be available to answer questions.

History of Wool in the Military

   From Revolutionary War homespun to the Greatest Generation to today, wool has played an integral role in military clothing, and America’s sheep industry has clothed our troops in the field.  Follow the trail of military uniforms through this new exhibit and discover a time in Wisconsin’s agricultural history where sheep ruled before dairy cows!  The display is located in the Activity Center. 

Wonders of Wool

   There’s always something new in the line-up of Wonders of Wool fiber arts classes!  August 25 is the registration deadline, and classes are filling up quickly.  Classes are geared for beginning, intermediate and advanced skill levels.  Beginning spinning, Orenburg lace, making Boucle yarn, wool appliqué, using beads for buttons, knitting toe-up socks, beaded lace, and felted jewelry are among the 50-plus classes offered as half-day or full-day classes.

   Nada Moeller, recently featured in SpinOff magazine, will present a special open lecture complete with a video and photos on Sunday morning, sharing her knowledge of Mongolian felt making.  Pre-registration is not required for the lecture; just come and enjoy!

Make It With Wool Contest

   The Make It With Wool Contest is celebrating its 60^th anniversary nationally this year, and the Wisconsin contest has something new to offer this year—a novelty division.  Novelty items include slippers, purses, scarves, shawls, hats, mittens and more.  The contest continues to feature knitted, crocheted, woven and sewn garments for the entrant, garments made for others, plus categories for afghans, coverlets, wallhangings, quilts and challenge wallhangings.  The contest’s registration deadline is August 31.

   Don’t miss the Best of Wisconsin style show, featuring the Make It With Wool contestants, at 2:15 p.m. Saturday in the Activity Center.

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 at 1 p.m. 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 yarn and machine spun yarn.  Joan LeClair of Waukesha will serve as judge.

Art Under Foot

   Rug hooking, like many other textile crafts, was an integral part of early American life.  The Cream City Rug Hookers, with support from the Wisconsin Quilt History Project, presents an impressive display of hooked rugs in the Activity Center on both Saturday and Sunday.

The Country Store

   From sheep feed and sheep-production handbooks to roving, spun yarn, carders, looms, and spinning wheels, The Country Store is the place to shop!  Over 100 vendors offer virtually anything shepherds and fiber enthusiasts could want.  Some vendors feature educational exhibits.

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

Wisconsin Wool Works!

   Wisconsin Wool Works! is WSBC’s grassroots promotion of Wisconsin fiber artists and shepherds.  Look in The Country Store for such items as hand-knit sweaters, fleece-lined jackets, scarves, roving, yarn, vests, hand cream, dusters, hats, mittens, cuddly stuffed lambs, ornaments, pelts, quilts, sheep-motif gifts, children’s books and more.

Producers’ Roundtable

   Learning is what it’s all about in the sheep industry, whether you’re just beginning or are an experienced shepherd.  Attend Producers’ Roundtable sessions throughout the day on both Saturday and Sunday to learn everything from management of wool both on and off the sheep to dealing with predators, as well as direct marketing, nutrition and keys to profitability.

Crook & Whistle Stock Dog Trial

   From Friday morning through Sunday afternoon, working stock dogs will show why they’re indispensable on many sheep farms.  The Crook & Whistle Stock Dog Trial is a sanctioned trial that will feature some of the best dogs in the country.

Stock Dog Shows

   Joyce Burnham of Custom Stock Dogs will present demonstrations of Border Collies going through their paces.  Located near the main gate, these stock-dog demonstrations take place throughout the weekend.

Fleece Show and Sale

   Listen to the comments of Martin Dally of California and Neil Kentner of Michigan as they serve as judges for the Festival fleece competition.  One of the most popular features of the Festival, participation in the fleece show grows yearly as shepherds increasingly appreciate the value and rewards of producing a quality fleece.

   The Shetland fleece show starts at 9 a.m. Saturday, and the judging of remaining fleeces begins at 12:30 p.m.

   The sale of fleeces begins at 8:30 a.m. Sunday, and many of the fleeces in Saturday’s fleece show will be offered for sale to spinners and other fiber artists.

   For shepherds wishing to enter fleeces, advance registration is encouraged but not required.  Shetland fleeces will be accepted for entry from 7:30 until 8:30 a.m. Saturday, and other fleeces will be accepted from 8 a.m. until 11:30 a.m.  The show features divisions for commercial market, handspinning white, handspinning natural colored and Shetland fleeces.

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 at around noon.  Stick around for the Junior Showmanship Contest at the conclusion of the show and watch some of the Midwest’s finest youth exhibitors compete for coveted showmanship honors.

   August 20 is the entry deadline for exhibitors, and detailed rules and entry forms are on the Festival’s website and in the Festival catalog.

Shearing Demonstrations & Workshop

   Watch a skilled shearer in action as David Kier presents shearing demonstrations on both Saturday and Sunday in the Indoor Horse Arena.  Not only will he demonstrate techniques, but he’ll answer questions about everything from cutting blades to wool handling.

   As a special treat, Kier will present a workshop at 1 p.m. on Sunday for shepherds interested in learning about shearing standing sheep.  This workshop will appeal to shepherds inexperienced in standard shearing positions, who have a hard-to-handle animal or who cannot physically handle sheep in a traditional stance.  No registration required.

Skillathon!

   Young shepherds, youth with an interest in becoming shepherds and adults who are leaders of youth groups will want to visit the Skillathon.  Led by Sam and Pat Wiford of Wapakoneta, Ohio, nationally known for presenting meaningful and fun skillathons, the Festival’s Skillathon is the perfect opportunity to build skills in a hands-on setting.  The Skillathon runs from 9 to 11 a.m. and 1 to 3 p.m. on Saturday and from 10 a.m. until noon on Sunday.

   Never been to a Skillathon?  It’s a walk-thru of individual stations where your knowledge of sheep, wool and sheep production will be tested.  Don’t worry if you don’t know an answer!  If you’re stumped, you get help.  No one fails at a Skillathon!

Lead-In Competition

   Wool on and off the hoof is what Sheep Lead-In competition is all about.  Lead-In Classes promote the beauty and elegance of wool clothing for men and women as exhibitors’ wool outfits and handling of their sheep are judged as they circle the show ring.

   Classes for youth and adults begin at 6 p.m. Saturday in the Sale Arena.  Entries are due September 1.

Used Equipment Auction

   Whether you’ve got excess equipment or need equipment, the Used Equipment Auction should be on your schedule for 2 p.m. on Saturday.  The auction will take place in the building to the east of the Indoor Horse Arena.

   Producers wishing to consign equipment to the sale should do so by 1 p.m. Saturday.  A list of consigned items will be posted on the Festival website in advance of the Festival, so shepherds are urged to make early consignments.

Shepherds’ Auction

   The Shepherds’ Auction is a great opportunity to purchase everything from quilts to spinning wheels, 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 and Real Estate begins bidding at 4 p.m. Saturday in the Activity Center. 

   The auction, made up of donations from Festival exhibitors, vendors, WSBC members and supporters, helps raise funds for many educational and scholarship programs of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative.

Silent Auction

   Bid early and often.  That’s the best advice for success at the Silent Auction, which runs from noon until 2:30 p.m. on Saturday in the Activity Center.  Unique gift items, sheep supplies and fiber-arts equipment are among the items typically donated to the Silent Auction.  Items purchased should be picked up by 5 p.m. on 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 Silent Auction table in the Activity Center on Saturday morning.

Lamb Dinner

   After an event-filled day on Saturday, sit back and enjoy a lamb dinner prepared by Capn’s Catering at 5 p.m.  Only a limited number of tickets will be available at the registration desk, so it’s best to send in your reservation.  Reservations are due September 1.

Photo Contest

   Stop in the lobby of the Activity Center to vote for your favorite sheep and wool photos in WSBC’s annual photo contest.  Entries for this shepherds-choice contest are due August 20. 

Camping

   Camping is allowed on the Jefferson Fair Park grounds for $20 per night.  Register with Jefferson Fair Park management upon arrival.  Call Fair Park staff at 920/674-7148 for more information.

Your Support Makes It Happen!

   Support comes in a lot of forms, and the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival wouldn’t happen without the support of a lot of people.  The Festival needs volunteers to organize events and make them happen.  Cash and product donations enable the Festival to operate and support the educational and scholarship programs of its sponsor, the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative.  Being a member of WSBC is another way to support the Festival and the state’s sheep industry.

   Your support allows WSBC to award 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 With Wool program and provide consumer education at the Wisconsin State Fair.  Your support makes a difference!

Festival Admission

   Where else can you have this much fun and learning for just $5?  Daily admission to the Festival is $5 per person, and kids eight and under are free.  A three-day 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 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.