Back from Sedalia, I waited to do this article until Sedalia was over. I left before the whether week ended, which now has become the major part of the sale much like the Suffolk and Hampshire breeds were in the past. Things change, but the sale like life goes on. What a tremendous job Larry Mead has done over the years to promote the sale, adapting to change and keeping the sale in a position that compares with no other. I remember a day when we had the first place Suffolk ram lamb, 100 in the class, ram sold for $5000. First year I participated with sheep in the sale we had a ram lamb that was third in class of 100 and the judge only gave three blue ribbons. The following year I went with Pete Bobendrier and he kept telling me how he was going to die. He did, thirty years later in his nineties; what a great guy. One year I bought an Andrus ram, red ribbon 30th place, tallest ram in the class. Then there was a year we purchased Summit, $5000, a lot of money for Rambouillet ram, his semen is still being utilized today. He certainly was a ram ahead of his time. When Kay died, I was discouraged and I sold the sheep. When Deb and I married, I went back to show her the old times and ended up in the Dorper business. Today it’s the Katahdins, which will be my last breed and the one I have enjoyed immensely, their time has come.
Sheep were selling well, the Katahdins had a good sale, $630 average. The Texel’s were almost beyond belief, two ewes at $10,000 each. Some of the wool breeds were finding it slower going but I imagine the whether sale prices were good this week end.
Once I get by the challenge of competition, I think the part I enjoy most is evaluating all the sheep, noting improvements and being able to sort through and see if there is a piece or a part that may improve our breeding program. The other part is renewing relationships and the opportunity to visit with people I have known for years, like John Corson, with his Suffolks. Then there is my friend Antonio Juarez, he wasn’t there last year, and I missed him. He brought three sheep, Grand Champion Dorper Ewe, Reserve, and Grand Champion White Dorper Ram.
I am a candidate for re-election to the Katahdin board and I would like to continue being part of moving that breed forward. Your support will be appreciated. Be sure to send in your ballot, it is important that everyone votes.
