2015 summer newsletter (1)

THE OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF THE INDIANHEAD SHEEP BREEDERS ASSOCIATION

Representing Shepherds in the Counties of Ashland, Barron,

Burnett, Bayfield, Buffalo, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau

Claire, Iron, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Price, Rusk, Sawyer,

St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, & Washburn

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 SUMMER 2015

The Shepherd’s Bulletin

Duane Klindworth, President S12020 County Hwy HH Augusta, WI 54722 715-286-4157 [email protected] John Govin, Vice President N6134 670th St Menomonie, WI 54751 715-235-8610 [email protected] Lynn Peterson, Secretary W1538 Brantwood Ave Brantwood, WI 54513 715-564-2631 [email protected] Jackie Johnson, Treasurer 9977 130th Ave Bloomer, WI 54724 715-568-1186 [email protected] [email protected] Debbie Petzel, “Webmaster”, Newsletter Editor, and WSBC Board Member 2037 180th Ave. Centuria, WI 54824 612-578-1528 [email protected] Mark Christenson 6114 Highway T Chippewa Falls, WI 54729 715-874-6612 Jim Holmes 1655 11 1/2 St Barron, WI 54812 715-651-2161 [email protected]

www.indianheadsheep.com

57 Head Sold at ISBA Spring Sale in River Falls

The Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association held its annual Spring Sheep Sale on Sunday, April 12th at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls Mann Valley Farm. The sale was conducted by auctioneer Jon Mork of Beldenville, WI. The sale was well attended with 57 head sold at a sale average of $296. Consignments sold in-cluded 44 ewe and wether club lambs, 1 registered Southdown ram lamb, 3 wether-style ram lambs, 1 registered Dorset ewe lamb, 1 registered Shropshire ewe lamb, 2 registered Suffolk ewe lambs, 2 registered Southdown ewe lambs, 2 registered Hampshire ewe lambs and 1 registered Hampshire yearling ewe. Consignors in-cluded: Kinsley Show Lambs, Dennison, MN; Rocky Knob Farm-Liddle Family, Roberts, WI; Arnevik Family Suffolks, Cameron, WI; Subra Suffolks, Taylor, WI; Rupnow Hamps & Show Lambs, Wausau, WI; Gleason Family Show Lambs, Ringle, WI; G String Ranch-Eric Grover, Plainview, MN; Autumn Run Farms-Tracy Claude, Prescott, WI; Promise Kept Farm-Coss Family, Cannon Falls, MN; Windswept Cress Sheep Farm-Emily Petzel, Centuria, WI; Beyrer Farms, Colfax, WI; Cloverfield Farm-Haley Yunker, St Croix Falls, WI; Presidential Livestock-Russell Family, Shullsburg, WI; Lindow Farms, Chili, WI; UW-River Falls Farm-Nathan Hanson, River Falls, WI; Werner Club Lambs, Byron, MN.

The highest selling lamb was a registered Southdown fall ram lamb consigned by Cloverfield Farm and sold to Wallace Larson of Cologne, MN for $725. More top sales included a crossbred wether from Arnevik Family to Jon Mork of Beldenville, WI for $500, a wether-style ram lamb from Arnevik Family to Paul Esser of Glen Haven, WI for $500, a crossbred wether from Kinsley Show Lambs to Rodney Pe-terson of Brantwood, WI for $440 and a registered Southdown ewe lamb from Clo-verfield Farm to Nicole Dittbrenner of Cumberland, WI for $440.00. For complete sale results, go to www.indianheadsheep.com

The sale included a youth clinic presented by Emily Petzel and Haley Yunker. Pro-file Show Supply and Embroidery of Wausau, WI offered show supplies for sale. Concessions were provided by the Bazille Family. Corinne Arnevik-Hansen, sale manager, would like to express gratitude to all of the consignors and buyers for a great sale. Huge thanks to the following people who were great helpers at the sale: Petzel Family, Yunker Family, Johnston Family, Bazille Family, Dittbrenner Family, Liddle Family, Stephanie Young, Jim and Sue Rupnow, Mark Christianson, Jon Mork and Duane Klindworth. Thank you also to anyone else at the sale that lended a helping hand.

http://www.indianheadsheep.com

THE SHEPHERD’S BULLETIN

Summer Greetings!

I hope this message finds all you shepherds

enjoying the spring weather, lambing, planting

and all the variety of things that make this a

busy season!

There are numerous entities that can describe

the sheep industry. These different entities

consist of, producing show lambs, breeding

stock, commercial, dairy or wool products. Our indus-

try is very small and that is why ISBA tries to pro-

mote, support & provide resources for all sheep pro-

ducers. We need to all work together to help benefit

the sheep industry.

An example of this was our Spring Sale. We set a re-cord for the highest selling price per head this year. This would not have been possible without members like Corrinne Arnevik Hansen, who does a great job chairing the sale! The many other member families like Petzels, Dittbrenners, Johnstons, Bazilles and Yunkers helped make the sale a success, to benefit all ISBA members. Also thank you to all consigners at

the show. The money raised is reinvested locally in our present and future sheep industry by fund-ing the annual Shepherd’s Clinic, and theISBA Scholarship . Thank you again, for all who helped with the sale! The board members, clinic committee, and chair-

person, Tim Jergenson have been working toon-

putting together another great educational 2016

Shepherd Clinic itinerary. We are always looking

for ideas to help you, the shepherd, get the most out

of the Clinic, so please feel free to contact Tim or

any board member with suggestions for the event.

This fall the ISBA Summer Picnic will be combined

with the Spooner Sheep Day, at the UW Spooner Ag

Research farm. Make plans to head to Spooner on

August 22 for a day of education, good food, and

networking with fellow shepherds. The ISBA board

will meet after the event as well.

I look forward to seeing my fellow members at up-

coming fairs, shows, and producer events. Have fun

showing, growing and promoting lamb!

Message from the President...

Duane Klindworth

Eighth ANNUAL

FEATURING THE UW-MADISON SHEEP PROGRAM

Public Events Facility, Arlington Ag

Badger Production Sale

Sunday, September 27, 2015

Striving to produce high quality, sound, and high performing sheep that will

work for you! Flocks enrolled in the National Sheep Improvement Program.

Featured Breeds:

Hampshire, Polypay, Rambouillet, Targhee

Selling approx. 60-70 Ewe Lambs & 8-10 Rams

NSIP performance data will be available on all sale animals

www.badgerproductionsale.com

Viewing Begins - 10:00 a.m.

Educational Session - 11:00 a.m.

Complimentary Lunch - Noon

Like us on Facebook:

U of WI 10-190 RR

Miller O-0171 QR


ISBA Shepherds Clinic

February 6, 2016

WITC Conference Center, Rice Lake, WI

“Finding the Profit in Your Flock”

The 2016 ISBA Shepherd's Clinic will feature four simultaneous educational tracks. Programs will be specifi-

cally targeted toward Youth, Beginning Shepherds, Advanced Shepherds and Wool Growers & Crafters. Many

of the program offerings will feature hands-on opportunities to learn new skills.

Youth will learn hoof trimming, showmanship and sportsmanship principles, Meat Animal Quality Assurance

and wrap up with a Sheep Skillathon. Beginning shepherds can choose from topics such as sheep vaccination

and de-worming protocols, raising the best forages for your sheep and how to raise lambs that the market

wants.

Managing internal parasite resistance, out-of-season breeding, advanced forage production, marketing lambs

and flock health and bio-security will be programs available for experienced shepherds. Wool growers and

craftsman will learn wool handling skills, how to market their wool crafts and get the hands-on opportunity to

create a wool project to take home with them.

To learn more about the 2016 ISBA Shepherd's Clinic and Trade Show contact any of the ISBA Officers or

Directors, visit the ISBA website at http://www.indianheadsheep.com/ or contact Tim Jergenson, Clinic Chair-

person at [email protected].

Additional Activities For Clinic Participants:

Essay Contest, Photo Contest, Scholarships

Essay Contest: ISBA Youths are invited to enter a short essay for a chance to win $50 Eligible participants

are all ages of youth whose family is a member of ISBA. A short 250-word essay discussing some topic of

the sheep industry must be submitted by December 31, 2015.

Photo Contest: Categories include Scenic Photo (sheep pictured on the photo), Just Lambs, Kids and Sheep.

First place winner in each category will receive their choice of a voucher for$20.00 toward the purchase of a

sheep at the Spring Sale or a voucher for $20.00 to be used toward registration at the 2017 ISBA Shepherds

Clinic.

Scholarship: ISBA is offering one scholarship in the amount of $500 to be presented at the 2016 Shepherds

Clinic and Trade Show. Family must be a current member of ISBA, must be a high school graduate age 21 or

under as of December 31, 2015, must be enrolled or accepted in a technical college, vocational college, com-

munity college or university.

For additional information on these activities, contact Mark Christenson, 6114 Highway T, Chippewa

Falls, WI 54729, tel. 715-874-6612.

Watch for more details in the next ISBA Shepherds Bulletin!

http://www.indianheadsheep.com/

mailto:[email protected]


NSIP Hires Program Director The National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) will enter a new era when Rusty Burgett takes on the posi-tion of program director in mid-April. Burgett will be the first paid program director for the organization in many years. "I'm ready for this, and NSIP is ready for this," says Burgett, who has served as treasurer on NSIP's board of directors for the past 18 months. "It's exciting breaking new ground and taking NSIP to a new level." Burgett hails from Ohio, by way of Ohio State, Iowa State and University of Wisconsin-Madison sheep pro-grams. He holds a Masters degree in ruminant nutrition and has experience in the production, meat and re-search sectors of the industry. In his new role for NSIP, he will be based in Ames, Iowa. Education and awareness are primary goals of NSIP, and Burgett will be traveling the country meeting with producers in all facets of the industry. "NSIP advocates industry improvement through technology. My goal is to educate those within the industry about the advantages of quantitative genetic selection," says Burgett. "Everyone, all up and down the pro-duction chain, can benefit as we strive to help the industry meet consumer demands." In addition to expanding NSIP's education opportunities, Burgett will be providing leadership to NSIP, which until now has been a committee-based, volunteer-driven effort. "I will be able to devote my full attention to NSIP," says Burgett. "Our goal is for all producers and all breeds to work together toward a common goal - the continued improvement of the American sheep industry." Burgett can be contacted at [email protected] or 515-708-8850.

ISBA Receives ALB Promotional Grant!

The Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association was awarded promotional funding from the Ameri-can Lamb Board (ALB).

The ALB has allocated a total of $35,000 in fiscal year 2015 to support new lamb promotion ideas targeting non-industry audiences, including consumers, chefs, media and retailers.

These funds are intended to help support local or regional lamb promotions designed to build demand for American lamb. Lamb industry functions and events are not eligible for funding.

This is a competitive funding process, and ALB gives priority to projects that demonstrate inno-vative promotion ideas and a commitment to share the cost of executing the promotion.

These funds are intended to offset the total cost of the promotion rather than subsidizing the entire cost.

ISBA will be using its funding award to promote American Lamb at the Wisconsin State Fair. If you are interested in helping with the planning or working the booth at the WSF, please contact Debbie Petzel at [email protected] or 612-578-1528.


tel:515-708-8850


FAMACHA Producer Workshop

(Control of Internal Parasites in Sheep and Goats)

A workshop will be held in Arena, Wisconsin on Saturday, June 27, 2015 on Intensive Parasite Management and Graz-

ing and Pasture Management for sheep and goat producers. Focus of the program will be use of the FAMACHA score

card for assessing internal parasitism in sheep and goats.

FAMACHA is a diagnostic tool developed in South Africa to help farmers identify Haemonchus contortus (Barber Pole

worm) infection in sheep and goats. The tool is a chart that matches eyelid color to anemia levels, an indicator of parasite

infection. This type of diagnosis allows farmers to target treatment only to infected animals, which in some systems has

reduced use of deworming agents by 90 percent. Not only do farmers save money, they significantly reduce the likeli-

hood of causing parasites to become resistant to dewormers. Identification of susceptible and more resistant animals en-

ables producers to make more informed breeding and culling decision in managing their flocks and herds. Attending an

approved training session, such as this FAMACHA Producer Workshop, is the only way that a producer can obtain a

FAMCHA score card.

Jim Morgan, Operations Manager with Katahdin Hair Sheep International, Fayetteville, Arkansas will make presenta-

tions on intensive parasite management and use of the FAMACHA score card, and Gene Schriefer, Iowa County Agri-

culture Agent, Dodgeville, Wisconsin will make a presentation on grazing and pasture management. Vince and Nancy

Pope will host the workshop participants at their Double Ewe Farm, Arena, Wisconsin in the afternoon for hands-on

training in use of the FAMACHA score card using their Katahdin sheep.

The morning and early afternoon program will be held at Grandma Mary’s Café, 216 Hwy 14, Arena, Wisconsin fol-

lowed by hands-on use of the FAMACHA score card at Double Ewe Farm near Arena in mid-afternoon. Registration

starts at 10:45 a.m., and the hands-on program at the farm should conclude by approximately 4:30 p.m. Advance regis-

tration is required ($30 per person, $20 per person for each additional family/farm member) and is limited to the first 65

people registering. Lunch and the FAMACHA score card are included.

Contact Gene Schriefer, Iowa County Extension Office, 303 W. Chapel St., Dodgeville, WI 53533 (608-930-9850,

[email protected], http://iowa.uwex.edu/) for a brochure and registration form or for more information. The

brochure and registration form also can be found at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Animal Sci-

ences, Extension Sheep and Goat web site (http://fyi.uwex.edu/wisheepandgoat/).

The 2015 ISBA Spring Shearing School was held at

the Klindworth Farm in Augusta, WI. International

sheep shearer David Kier instructed two students,

Anna and Tina Hinchley.

ISBA Shearing Schools are typically held on the third

Saturday in March and the third Saturday in Septem-

ber each year. They provide a great opportunity for

producers and aspiring shearers alike to learn about

the equipment and techniques used by professionals,

and get hands-on instruction in handling and shear-

ing live sheep. No experience is necessary to attend

this very affordable one-day event.

For information on the ISBA Shearing Schools, con-

tact Duane at 715-286-4157 or email

[email protected]

ISBA Spring Shearing School


http://iowa.uwex.edu/

http://fyi.uwex.edu/wisheepandgoat/

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2 PAGE 6

Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association

Advertising Opportunities

We are a growing association of sheep breeders and others connected to the sheep industry located in the 22 county Indianhead Region of Northwestern Wisconsin. Our association consists of 135 members or member families. We offer many activities and events including publishing a quarterly newsletter, a website, an annual Shepherd’s Clinic, annual Youth Clinic, annual Scholarships, annual Spring Sale, annual Field Day and Picnic, publishing an annual Shepherd’s Directory of members, and we sponsor shearing schools, several youth events, post-secondary scholarship, and fair awards. Your consideration to advertising with us would be appreciated. The current advertising rates and publications are as follows:

Directory or Clinic Programs (circulation of approx. 250 each)

Full page (5 ½” X 8 ½” BW) $50 each publication

Half page (5 ½” X 4 ¼” BW) $30 each publication

Business Card size (BW) $20 each publication

Quarterly Newsletter (circulation of 4 X 150):

Full page (8 ½” X 11” BW) $60

Half page (8 ½” X 5 ½” BW) $40

Business Card (BW) $25

Spring Lamb Sale Catalog (circulation of approx. 150)

Full page (8 ½” X 11” BW) $40

Half page (8 ½” X 5 ½ BW) $25

Business Card (BW) $15

Package Rate for all Publications (includes 1 year ISBA membership and directory listing) Full page $150

Half page $90

Business Card $60

Membership only, including a directory listing and free newsletter classified ads, is $15 annually.

For additional information or to place an ad, contact ISBA Treasurer Jackie Johnson, 9977 130th Ave, Bloomer, WI 54724, tel. 715-568-1186 or email [email protected]


The Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival!

Mark your calendars to attend the WSBC Sheep and Wool Fest held in Jefferson, WI on September 11

- 13, 2015

New Event: 1st annual Commercial Carcass Lamb Contest

This contest will feature consigned pens of 3 lambs, judged live by committee, then harvested. The

superior carcasses will then be placed. Live winners will be announced at the festival. The carcass

division winners will be recognized in the "new" Wisconsin Shepherd magazine (circa 3500) along

with all sponsors in the Fall 2015 issue. Carcass results, data, and awards will be presented at the

Arlington Sheep day in March 2016. This contest offers something for everyone, sheep producers,

nutritionists, culinary students, meat processors, and consumers. Carcass data and photos collected

from the event will be used for WSBC/WSWF educational workshops and judging contests.

For more specific information on new carcass contest, please contact Tim Miller at

[email protected]

New and Improved Wild and Woolly Photo Contest

Give us your best shots! The Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival and the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders

Cooperative invite you to submit your sheep and wool photos to their annual photo contest. The

contest is open to everyone, regardless of whether they raise sheep or are WSBC members. Judges

will select the winning photos based on theme, clarity, content, composition and appeal based on thecategory

entered. Entries must be postmarked by August 15. See full details...

https://www.edje.com/cmspageuploads/80/605_WisconsinShepherd_Spring2015.pdf

Enter photographs in the following classes:

• Scenic Photo,

• Just Lambs,

• Kids and Sheep,

• Wisconsin Shepherd Cover Photo (Only Color Portrait format – no Landscape accepted)

• Photo Taken by Youth (only for youths aged 18 and younger as of August 15)

Questions? Email [email protected] or call 612-578-1528

Sheep Shows - Fleece Shows - Make It With Wool Competition - Shepherding Classes and More!

For more information on The Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, see the official website:

http://www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com/


THE “PERFECT” SHEEP PASTURE by Ulf Kintzel

Editor’s Note: This article Copyright 2012 Ulf Kintzel. For permission to use either text or photographs please contact the author at [email protected]. This article originally appeared in Farming Magazine, Fall 2010, and is reprinted with permission from the author. In order to meet space con-straints, it is reprinted without photographs.

In a sheep farming operation that relies on grazing alone without feeding any grain, the pasture is of utmost importance. If the demand is such that the lambs should be finished in a time as short as pos-sible, the pressure is high. I am in that situation. I finish my lambs between 3 and 6 months with the

average being 4 to 5 months. The target weight is 80 to 90 lbs. live weight or 40 to 45 lbs. hanging weight. That requires that the lambs are getting pushed almost every day to eat as much as possible.

Several factors such as climate, soil, and amount of input (fertilizer) influence what kind of grasses and

legumes should be selected. I am in upstate New York, thus I use only cool-season grass species. I have mainly Honeoye silt loam soil. Additionally, I have some Lansing silt loam and some Lima silt loam soil. These soils are all limestone derived, which means the need to lime is limited. I will consider

some applications of lime in the future in certain areas of my farm but have not yet felt the need to do so. The only input I have chosen so far is the hay that I am buying, which I feed mainly in the pasture during the winter. I do not buy any commercial or any other fertilizer.

When I bought this farm about four years ago, half of it was hayfields that hadn’t been reseeded or

fertilized in several years. They are predominately timothy, “native” orchard grass, bluegrass, and some fescue. The clovers that are growing here are red clover, Alsike clover, and Dutch white clover. A good chunk of the land was hayfields that hadn’t been used in several years and needed to be bush-

hogged to rid them of weeds and brush. A 14-acre parcel was a pumpkin field at the time of purchase, and I decided to make my own test plot. First, I seeded the grass in pure stands. The grasses I planted were “Baraula” orchard grass, BG 34 perennial ryegrass, “Barolex” tall fescue, “Bartura” meadow fes-

cue, “Ginger” bluegrass and, since I ran out of seed and the neighbor sells it, “Climax” timothy. I used the following legumes to inter-seed them with all the grass stands: Kura clover, “Alice” white clover, and “Viking” bird’s-foot trefoil. In the past 4 years I have frost-seeded local red clover, “Kopu 2” white clover, and “Huia” New Zealand white clover in the existing hayfields.

Here are my experiences with the grasses and legumes I find on my farm.

GRASS Sheep like timothy and do tend to graze it short—too short. In addition, it doesn’t grow much after the

spring flush. However, in this area it is the cheapest grass seed that is available and timothy allows it-self to be frost-seeded. It is an easy and cheap filler when your budget is tight.

Bluegrass has been around for a long time and I never mind having it in my pasture. Sheep like it, it

makes a dense sward, and it is persistent, even in less than ideal conditions. The downside is the lack of yield and it is prone to drought. The Ginger bluegrass I seeded does grow a little higher and more erect and yields a little more. I like to have it in a mix with other grasses, but as a pure stand it just doesn’t yield enough. It is nice to have right around the barn where the pasture experiences more traf-

fic and some abuse at times. On a side note: Bluegrass is the most common grazing grass in Germany where there is usually not much of a summer slump in growth.

The “native” orchard grass (since orchard grass never is native, but may have volunteered to come

into the pasture I keep putting it in quotation marks; many people refer to the volunteering kind as

Feature Article:

See Pasture, page 10

http://smallfarms.cornell.edu/2012/04/02/the-%e2%80%9cperfect%e2%80%9d-sheep-pasture/


being native) is one of the highest yielding grass species. It is also quite drought resistant. Sheep eat it and tend to not graze it too short. Whatever the sheep don’t eat during the growing season can always

be grazed in the fall and winter. The biggest downside of “ native” orchard grass is that it heads out extremely early and immediately loses all palatability. However, once the seed stems are bush-hogged, it yields well throughout the rest of the summer and fall and stays quite palatable.

The late-heading Baraula is so far the clear winner at my farm. It heads out 2+ weeks later than “native” orchard grass. Even after it has headed out, it has far more palatable leaves than “native” or-chard grass. It yields very well without much input and it stockpiles well. I am very pleased with it.

Much has been said and written about how wonderful perennial ryegrass can be. I am sure this holds

true when it receives a good amount of fertilizer, especially nitrogen. On my farm I consider the BG 34 perennial ryegrass a failure. It never grows tall and never yields much. It is slow to recover. Sheep do like it and are likely to eat it too short in a very short time, while they leave stands of other grass

alone. Thus, managing the rotational schedule becomes more difficult. I am not likely to seed ryegrass again.

The tall fescue that volunteered is not liked at all by sheep. The Barolex tall fescue I seeded did not

meet my expectations. While it does grow and yields a fair amount of grass, the sheep don’t much care for it. The intake is so reduced that I would worry about overall intake if that were the only kind of grass the sheep would have available.

My strip of meadow fescue was sown where it stays in part wet longer in the spring. According to the

description of the grass, meadow fescue doesn’t mind wet feet. That turned out to be true. This grass is well liked by the sheep. However, it doesn’t yield much and it heads out early. Although I have noth-ing to say against the grass, I don’t see much benefit of adding this grass to a pasture mix other than

wanting some diversity. I have some volunteer meadow fescue. They like that just as well.

LEGUMES Clovers have the advantage of fixating nitrogen from the air. It is said that a percentage of clover

higher than 30 percent in the pasture mix takes care of the needed nitrogen for that pasture. I prefer 50 to 70 percent clover in my pasture. Other than the ability of causing bloat, I see no downside to having lots of clover.

But what about bloating and possibly losing sheep? Since grazing has become popular, I find much ad-

vice in various publications on how to prevent bloat. Much of it seems to have derived from dairy cows and does not work for sheep. Here is what I suggest: The single most important advice is to never let the sheep go hungry before rotating them into the next pasture cell. Hungry sheep will eat fast and

hastily and have lots of room in the rumen for gas to develop. Sheep that are not so hungry will eat slower and there is simply not enough room in the rumen to allow the development of enough gas to kill the sheep. Aside from that, don’t offer too big a cell, as that increases the likelihood of bloat. You

will still lose a sheep or two but they had to go anyway – they were prone to bloat. What won’t work is feeding hay before letting them into the pasture with clover. It also won’t work to let the dew dry off before letting them in. And don’t try “treating” a sheep when you see some bloat developing. In your attempt to rescue the sheep, you are likely to kill it because its heart rate will be elevated. Take it from

me, I killed enough sheep with bloat before I reached these conclusions. I understand I side-drifted a little, but I want you to lose the fear of clovers/legumes if you had any.

Although I have the name “White Clover” in my farm name, its red cousin is currently just as wide-

spread on my farm. There is a lot of red clover that volunteers. The hayfields that didn’t yield much red clover the first year it was converted into pasture showed much more red clover in subsequent years. I assume that the increased amount of daylight that now reached the ground helped germinate the ex-

Pasture, contd. From page 9



ISBA Board of Directors Meeting - 5/15/15 - Rolling Oaks, Barron, WI

Board Members Present: John Govin, Jim Holmes, Duane Klindworth, Jackie Johnson, Debbie Petzel and Guests Tim Jergenson Clinic Chairman and Corinne Arnevik-Hansen Spring Sale Chairperson

Secretary’s Report - Read and Approved - Placed on file

Treasurer’s Report - Jackie presented the April 12 Spring Sale report - Moved to approve by John Govin and seconded by Jim Holmes - $800.00 net profit - Two buyers have not made payment for sheep purchases as of 5/15/2015.

2016 Clinic will be held February 6, WITC Conference Center, Rice Lake, WI

Tim presented the contract from WITC - $700.00 facility fee—$18.50 per person Seminar Package

Jim Holmes moved to accept the day long package and Jackie seconded. Approved

Clinic Title - Finding The Profit In Your Flock

Discussion of possible clinic topics:

Youth - Hoof trimming (Dave Thomas), Showmanship and Sportsmanship (Cara Cross), Skillathon,

Beginner - Baby Lamb Processing, Hoof Trimming, (Dave Thomas) Vaccination and Deworming Protocols,

What Is The Meat Industry Looking For?, Making Money with Sheep (small flock) Biosecurity, Forages

(Undersander), Carcass Evaluation (Dr. Gary Onan)

Advanced - FAMACHA, Making More Money With Your Flock, Feeding Sheep For Optimum, Predators

Control/Guardian Animals, Crossbreeding Sheep, Industry Hot Topics, Health Management Obstacles in

We've got a variety of walks for the first part of the summer!

For details read the 2015 Summer Pasture Walk Schedule online.

Cost to attend each event:

$15/non-member, FREE/Network members

Saturday, June 13th

, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm – Piano, Piano Farm Todd Lanis -

E1269 1010th Ave, Downing

Saturday, June 27th

, 1:30 pm to 3:30 pm – Benson's Lymett Farm Jason

Benson - 6667 36th St, Colfax (Albertville)

Wednesday, July 1st, 11:00 am to 3:00 pm – Mahalko Dairy Ken Mahalko &

Kevin Mahalko - 34717 State Hwy 64, Gilman

Wednesday, July 15th, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm – Dream Valley Farm, LLC

Laurel Kieffer - N50768 County Road D, Strum

Become a member and attend these events FREE!

Register ONLINE today to attend these events, or

contact Mary C Anderson, Program Manager, at [email protected] OR (715) 579-2206.

http://RiverCountryRCD.us3.list-manage.com/track/click?u=d5d6c011757423c9d8163cc50&id=b52d573562&e=7609c3544d


Sheep Operations, Reducing Lamb Mortality, Lamb Market Outlook, Biosecurity, Forages (Undersander),

Carcass Evaluation (Dr. Gary Onan), Out of Season Breeding,

Wool - Wool Handling, Wool Products for Spinners (Deb Jones), Marketing Wool Products, Wool Project

(hands on), How to Skirt a Fleece.

To-Do:

Jackie will contact Chippewa Vet for Ask The Vet and Biosecurity and Internal Parasites

Jackie will contact Deb Jones for Marketing wool

Jackie will contact Bernie O’Rourke for Skillathon

Tim will contact Jean Dukerschiem for Wool Products for Spinners

John will contact Cindy Wolf for health management and predator control

Jackie will contact Dan Undersander about soil fertility and forage production

John Bazille will be asked to contact Dr. Gary Onan to do carcass evaluation

Debbie will contact Cara Cross for showmanship and sportsmanship

TIm will contact Judy Moses about goats.

Tim will contact Dave Thomas about hoof trimming and Bernie ORourke for Skillathon

Duane will contact Burton Pflinger ASI Pres. for Keynote Speaker

Possible Keynote Speakers:

Burton Pflinger - ASI President - https://www.sheepusa.org/About_Leadership_ExecutiveBoard- Duane will

contact

Ron Cole - ASI Wool Consultant ( 970-302-4117)

Alan Culham - Let’s Grow Campaign - http://www.sheepusa.org/

NewsMedia_SheepIndustryNews_PastIssues_2015_March2015_LetsGrowCommitteeBeginsToBuild

Other New Business

Discussion of $500.00 ALB Promotion Grant - American lamb promotion at the WI State Fair.

Possible Friday Night Pre-conference activities before the clinic - Adults could attend a dinner with the BOD

and speakers. Kids could go to Skate City. Will be a paragraph in newsletter to find out if interest in the

activity.

Fall Shearing School Sept 19

Summer Picnic - Spooner - Aug. 22 - Debbie will contact Phil H. at Spooner to coordinate

Spring Sale Summary with Corinne. One of the highest average sales!

Advertising Rates - Stay the same - Put on website and put in newsletter

Discussion of proposed annual budget tabled until next meeting

Meeting Adjourned at 10:06

Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Petzel

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2

isting seeds. Red clover does not lose much palatability as it matures, it doesn’t get trampled down easily, and it does stockpile quite well and long, especially if there is some snow cover. And did I men-

tion that sheep love to eat it?

It is said that one of red clover’s disadvantages is its lack of persistence. In a grazing system like mine there will always be plenty of seed heads that can develop and the clover can reseed itself. Will this be

enough to keep plenty of red clover around? I think so, although I don’t think that this reseeding proc-ess will amount to as thick a stand that I achieved after frost-seeding a couple of fields. In fact, red clover was an excellent economical choice to instantly beef up low yielding fields.

Many publications advise to not graze red clover while sheep are being bred. Red clover contains an

estrogen-like substance. Studies suggest that this phytoestrogen lowers the conception rate. I have pastured lots of red clover during breeding season and have found no negative effect, or the effect is insignificant. In East Germany, where I come from, we pastured sheep frequently for months on pure

stands of red clover. I recall a field trial that found no significant effects of red clover on the conception rate of sheep.

The white clover that volunteers at my farm is the low growing and low yielding kind, often referred to

as Dutch white clover. However, it is a welcome volunteer. Alice, Ladino, Kopu 2, and Huia New Zea-land white clovers are much higher yielding. So far, my experience with Ladino white clover was a bad one back in the 90s. An excellent stand vanished after two years.

I tried Alice white clover with much greater success. Alice seems to be very aggressive and is very

competitive. In 2009 I frost-seeded Kopu 2 and separately Huia New Zealand white clover on many acres at about 2 pounds per acre. White clover establishes far slower than red clover and has no sig-nificant impact until its second year. Now I can see how well a stand was established with such little

seed. Of course, white clover is not as high yielding as red clover. However, white clover has several advantages that other clovers or legumes don’t have. Firstly, it doesn’t lignify when the temperatures get above 90 degrees. Secondly, its energy versus protein content is balanced. Furthermore, white clo-

ver can be very persistent. Lastly, it does not lose palatability no matter how mature the stand is. In short, it is great to have white clover in the pasture with no downside to it….well, unless you fear the afore-mentioned bloat.

I also frost-seeded Ladino white clover in a newly acquired 20-acre parcel. I chose that one despite my

previous bad experience simply to try yet another variety of white clover. Since it is the first year of its establishment, the jury is still out on this one.

I had some stands of Alsike clover developing. Alsike clover is in size somewhere in between Dutch

white clover and red clover. Sheep like it. The big advantage of Alsike clover is that it grows well on slightly acidic soils. In fact, it grows on our farm in the few spots where it stays wet long in the spring. The biggest downside is its lack of persistence. However, looking at seed catalogues, I noticed it is very

cheap. I can see that it may be beneficial to frost-seed Alsike clover when the budget is tight.

Planting Kura clover was a $300 lesson. I have no stand of Kura clover after seeding it 3½ years ago—only a handful of plants, just enough to know how Kura clover looks. It sure is pretty. Given its price and the difficulty to establish it, compared to the price and how easily white and red clovers can be es-

tablished, I doubt I will give Kura clover another try.

Bird’s-foot trefoil is a none-bloating legume. Sheep like it in measures. It doesn’t yield very much in comparison to clovers. Other than being none-bloating and nitrogenfixating, it has the advantage that

its tanning contents inhibit the growth of intestinal worms such as the deadly barber pole worm. This is my only reason for seeding it. I had interseeded trefoil in my 14-acre test plot. It took two to three



VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2

VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2

years to establish the stand. Now it is well established. Meanwhile, I had a ten-acre parcel seeded with a no-till drill and frosts seeded another twenty acres. This too will be discussed in a follow up article

once the stands have been established.

There was a fair amount of alfalfa present when I converted the hayfields at my farm into pasture. I assumed that the alfalfa would not take the grazing long and it indeed didn’t. I consider alfalfa a har-

vesting forage rather than a pasturing forage. I do still have some alfalfa that persisted a while longer and the sheep eat it right away when entering fresh pasture.

I also have some sweet clover in the pasture. Sheep like the immature plants as well. Again a little side note for the curious minds: Sweet clover is called Stone Clover (Steinklee) in German due to its ability

to grow in areas that seem to have typical “weeds” that always will be there, such as narrow-leaved plantain and dandelion. Sheep don’t consider them weeds but find them delicious instead. Which leads me to something important: While some forages are clearly more advantageous than others, one

should not forget that sheep, just like us, love variety. I suspect that the total intake is higher when variety is offered versus a pure stand of a particular forage. However, I have no proof for this. In addi-tion, various plants offer ingredients that others don’t. Leaves from trees or from plants with taproots

have a higher content of zinc. Bird’s-foot trefoil has a higher content of tanning agents. Narrow-leaved, or English, plantain is known to have antibiotics in it. Variety also seems to offer a broader spectrum of ingredients that may help prevent diseases and deficiencies.

These “weeds” as well as the “native” or volunteer grasses and clovers are welcomed at my farm. They

cost me nothing and the mere fact that they volunteer states how persistent they are. In my opinion, it is an illusion to think you can get rid of them. It will be costly to try and likely to be unsuccessful. It is in my opinion also a mistake trying to get the “best” species of grass there is unless you are willing to

create the high-input conditions that this species may need. The cost is high and the added benefit may be in no relation to the added expense. Keep in mind, I am talking exclusively about sheep pas-ture, not dairy pasture. I’d choose what establishes easily, yields a lot, and is liked by the sheep.

As far as weeds are concerned that the sheep don’t like, I have given up in my quest of wanting to eliminate them. That can drive you crazy. Instead, I have noticed that strong stands of grass, espe-cially orchard grass, and in addition bush-hogging the pasture after the grass developed seed stems (mainly to rejuvenate the stand), have such an impact on undesirable weeds like Canada and bull this-

tle that their stands become much weaker over time and thus manageable.

I am often asked, “What is the best pasture mix for sheep?” I think that a late-heading orchard grass and a persistent variety of white clover such as Alice, Kopu 2, or Huia New Zealand white clover should

be the two dominant species in the mix. One could add some bluegrass as an additional grass species and red clover and bird’s-foot trefoil as additional legumes to the mix.

Generally speaking, in most cases I prefer improving existing stands by frost-seeding rather than plow-

ing them up and reseeding them. It is far more cost and time effective. The thought of plowing some-thing up and establishing the perfect sheep pasture is tempting. However, rarely does it work out in real life the way I thought it out in my head. Having that said, I did exactly that on a 14-acre rented parcel that had no hope of improving and was also of very rough terrain. I had it plowed and then re-

seeded it with my very own mixture that I consider to be “perfect.” How much my wishes and reality overlap remains to be seen once the stand is established and will be material for an article yet to be written.

Ulf Kintzel owns and manages White Clover Sheep Farm (www.whitecloversheepfarm.com) in Rush-ville, NY where he breeds grass-fed White Dorper sheep. He offers breeding stock and freezer lambs. He can be reached at 585-554-3313 or by e-mail at [email protected].


VOLUME 21, ISSUE 2

Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association

Board of Directors meeting: Friday, February 27, 2015 at Rolling Oaks Restaurant, Barron, WI.

Duane Klindworth called the meeting to order at 6:30 p.m. Members present: Duane Klindworth, Jackie Johnson, John

Govin, Jim Holmes, and Mark Christenson. Guest Tim Jergenson.

Duane opened the meeting by sharing an email message from Debbie Petzel. Debbie shared her thoughts on several

issues facing the ISBA Directors and offered some thoughtful suggestions for addressing those issues. Debbie writes,

edits and publishes the ISBA newsletter, is the lead Director for the Youth Scholarship, maintains the ISBA website,

serves a chairperson of the Youth Clinic, and leads the Silent Auction and the Photo contest at the Shepherd’s Clinic.

She would like to pass some of these responsibilities on to other Directors and/or members of ISBA. Jim Holmes volun-

teered to be responsible for the ISBA website. Mark Christenson volunteered to help with the Spring Sale, Photo Contest

and the Youth Scholarship.

Jim Holmes suggested that the Directors revisit the mission of ISBA. Duane shared the purpose of ISBA as stated in the

Association’s bylaws.

John Govin offered to host a retreat at his farm in August 2015 for the ISBA Directors.

The 2015 Shepherds’ Clinic was discussed. Tim Jergenson presented the Shepherds’ Clinic evaluation summary. The

evaluations from the attendees were overwhelmingly positive. Respondents listed many useful things they learned dur-

ing the Shepherds’ Clinic that will help them manage their sheep flocks. The evaluation tool also collected several helpful

suggestions for improving the Shepherds’ Clinic and a list of topics and speakers for future Clinics. Following a discus-

sion of the quality of the lamb served at this year’s Shepherds’ Clinic, John Govin moved to eliminate lamb for the menu

at the 2016 Shepherds’ Clinic. The motion was seconded by Jim Holmes and passed on a voice vote.

Jackie Johnson, ISBA Treasurer, presented the financial summary of this year’s Shepherds’ Clinic. Jackie reported that

all of the Clinic expenses have been paid and the Clinic lost $575.66. Nearly sixty percent of the expenses of the Shep-

herds’ Clinic are the cost of the food and the rent of facilities. Jackie reported that the current checking account balance

is $6946.01.

The Directors discussed several topics related to the Shepherds’ Clinic. Those topics included whether or not to continue

using the WITC Conference Center, date of the 2016 Clinic, registration fee, and suggestions for topics and presenters.

Jim Holmes will contact Ben Bartlet as a possible presenter, Duane Klindworth will contact Ron Cole and John Govin will

contact the editor of the The Shepherd magazine.

The ISBA Spring Sale will be held April 12th at UWRiver Falls Lab Farm #2. Youth Clinic begins at 12:00 noon with the

sale starting at 1:00 p.m. The Directors discussed the future of the Spring Sale. It was decided that the purposes of the

Spring Sale include: A service to youth members of ISBA and their families, to expose new families to the sheep indus-

try, educate youth on how to select project lambs, and to provide a source of quality project lambs and breeding stock to

youth and families enrolled in the 4H and FFA sheep project.

The Interstate Livestock Show will be held June 27, 2015 at the Polk County fairgrounds in St. Croix Falls, WI. ISBA has

been asked to support this show. Jim Holmes moved to donate $250 to the Interstate Show for tee shirts. The motion

passed on a voice vote.

Jackie Johnson urged the Directors to develop a annual budget for ISBA. Jackie will lead this effort at the April Directors

meeting. The Summer Picnic will also be discussed at the April meeting. The next meeting of the ISBA Board of Direc-

tors will be April 24, 2015 at the Rolling Oaks Restaurant in Barron, WI at 6:30 p.m. The Directors meeting was declared

adjourned by President Duane Klindworth at 9:00 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Tim Jergenson

Summer Sheep Events

June 5-6 - Midwest Junior Preview Show – Sedalia, MO Information: http:// www.midwestjuniorpreviewshow.com/ June 6 - WLBA Spring Preview Show, Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson, WIInformation: www.wisconsinlivestockbreeders.com 608 [email protected] June 8-13 – National Columbia Show and Sale, Fairmont, MN. Information: Wayne Busch [email protected] June 13-14 - Iowa Sheep & Wool Festival - Jasper County Fairgrounds Colfax, Iowa http://iowasheepandwoolfestival.com/ June 13-14 - WLBA/Purina Animal Nutrition Livestock Show Camp. Wisconsin State Fair Park,West Allis, WI. Information: www.wisconsinlivestockbreeders.com 608 868-2505, [email protected] June 22 - 27- Midwest Stud Ram Sale/Nat. Suffolk Sale Sedalia, MO For more information: http://www.midwestramsale.com/ June 25 - NW Region - Dunn County--Area Animal Science Day Information: Contact Bernie O'Rourke, [email protected] or 608 263-4304. http://4h.uwex.edu/ events/animalscience.cfm June 27 - Interstate Livestock Show, Polk County Fairgrounds July 2 - 5 - Cannon Valley Fair -http://www.cannonvalleyfair.org/forms/CVF %20SCHEDULE%202015-040215.pdf July 2-5 - All-American Junior Show, West Springfield, MA http:// www.countrylovin.com/AAJSS/index.html Information: [email protected] June 27 - Katahdin Hair Coat & FAMACHA Training Classes. For more information: Gene Schriefer 608 930-9850 or [email protected] July 2-5 - UJSSA National Junior Suffolk Show, West Springfield, MA http:// www.ujssa.org/calendar.html July 8-11 – National Rambouillet Show and Sale, Pipestone, MN – Information: http:// countrylovin.com/ARSBA/index.htm July 8 - 12 - Northern Wisconsin State Fair, Chippewa Falls - Information: http:// www.norwisstatefair.com/ July 15 - 19 - Barron County Fair, Rice Lake - Information: http:// barroncountyfair.com July 15 - 19 - St. Croix County Fair, Glenwood City - Information: http:// stcroixcofair.com/ July 25 - MN Suffolk Sheep Assoc. State Show Faribault, MN Jeremy Geske [email protected]



Café Lamb

July 26 - MN Suffolk Sheep Assoc State Jr. Show Faribault, MN Sara Saul [email protected] July 27 - State 4-H Livestock Judging contest - Arlington, WI Information: Contact Bernie O'Rourke, [email protected] or 608 263-4304. http://fyi.uwex.edu/ youthlivestock/programs/state-4-h-livestock-judgingcontest/ July 30 - Aug 2 - Polk County Fair - St. Croix Falls, WI http:// www.polkcountyfair.com/ August 6-16 - Wisconsin State Fair, Milwaukee www.wistatefair.com August 13 - 16 - Pierce County Fair, Ellsworth, WI http:// www.co.pierce.wi.us/Fair/ Fair_Main.html August 22– Spooner Sheep Day and ISBA Summer Picnic. UW Spooner Ag Re-search Station, Spooner, WI. August 22 - WLBA Summer Spectacular Show, Marathon Fair Park, Wausau, WI Information: www.wisconsinlivestockbreeders.com 608 868-2505 [email protected] September 2-7 - Central Wisconsin State Fair, Marshfield, WI http:// www.centralwisconsinstatefair.com/ September 11-13 - Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival, Jefferson Fair Park, Jefferson, WI. www.wisconsinsheepandwoolfestival.com September 19 - Indianhead Sheep Breeders Association Fall Shearing School Duane Klindworth Farm, Augusta, WI. For information: 715-286-4157

Lamb sausage:

1 pound ground lamb

2 eggs

1/3 cup Half and Half

1 tbsp olive oil

½ cup roasted pecans, brown sugar

1 tsp garlic salt

2 cloves garlic, minced

½ tsp rosemary, diced

1 tbsp raspberry Balsamic vinegar

1 tsp ground allspice

1 tsp ground cumin

¼ tsp ground nutmeg

¼ tsp ground black pepper

Dried bread crumbs

Poaching Liquid:

1 cup cold coffee

1 cube beef bouillon

½ cup sherry

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp ground mixed peppercorns

Drippings from roast with onions

1 tsp salt

Submitted by John and Carie Peterson

To make the poaching liquid: In a pot, add all ingredients. Bring to a simmer.

To make the lamb sausage: mix all ingredients except bread crumbs in a large bowl; add 1 cup bread crumbs until mixture can form a shape without sticking to your hands. Roll1 to 2 tbsp of mixture into a ball, and boil in the liquid until done. If it falls apart, add more bread crumbs to mixture.

Lamb Sausage Balls

Debbie Petzel, Editor 2037 180th Ave. Centuria, WI 54824

www.indianheadsheep.com

The Shepherd’s Bulletin

Pre-Clinic Friday Night Activity Survey

In an effort to help build relationships and friendships

among our members and attendees, your Board of Directors

would invite you to express your interest in a pre-clinic Fri-

day night activity. A block of rooms would be reserved at a

Rice Lake hotel. Proposed activities would be a group youth

activity such as a skating/pizza party at Skate City and/or a

game night/swimming party at the hotel. Adults would be

invited to dinner with our clinic speakers. If you have any

interest in participating in this pre-clinic activity, please

email Debbie Petzel at [email protected] . Your ideas and

suggestions on how to make this activity a success are very

welcome!

2015 summer newsletter (1)

Documents

Transcript of 2015 summer newsletter (1)