board of directors track of pedigrees is invaluable. This program is so easy to use, and it allows us to track these animals even while we are working in the coral sorting or processing. This tool is a game changer, and no other sheep breed organization can compare.
WHAT OTHER SHEEP RELATED ORGANIZATIONS ARE YOU CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED WITH? With young kids at home, I’m less involved nationally than I used to be, but I try to stay engaged with our state sheep association and local youth and producer groups. I’ve also enjoyed making more connections and getting involved in projects in Canada. CAROL HEUPEL, WELDONA, COLORADO HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY GET EXPOSED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP? My first two lambs I purchased for my first FFA project when I was a freshman were two Suffolk lambs. I showed them at the Great Western Livestock show and got Reserve Champion Suffolk lamb (there were only three Suffolks and I had two). They were not great lambs, but I loved them and have had sheep ever since. WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING AS A VOLUNTEER ON THE USSA BOARD? I was asked by a couple of people to consider filling a vacant spot, so I decided to give it a try! WHAT IS ONE OF THE BEST BENEFITS A USSA OR UJSSA MEMBER RECEIVES? Our best benefits our members get is Amanda, and a great group of directors that really care about our breed. WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO A NEW USSA MEMBER OR SUFFOLK BREEDER? Best advice for new members is to ask lots of questions and have at least one mentor. WHAT IS ONE POSITIVE THING YOU REALIZED UPON YOUR VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT TO THE USSA BOARD? The most positive thing I’ve taken away from being on the Board and as the Treasurer is making friends with fellow members across the country. WHAT OTHER SHEEP RELATED ORGANIZATIONS ARE YOU CURRENTLY OR PREVIOUSLY INVOLVED WITH? I was on the NSIP board for a while, we are members in four different state wool growers and are active in several ram sale groups. MICHAEL JENSEN, CASTANA, IOWA HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY GET EXPOSED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP? We were initially exposed to Suffolk sheep after purchasing a few sale barn sheep. At the time, Suffolks were winning and dominating the show arenas. We had two daughters in 4-H. We
and had students participate in countless numbers of state and national Career and Leadership Development Events ( CDE) and (LDE) FFA competitions. JOE EMENHEISER, WEYBRIDGE, VERMONT HOW DID YOU ORIGINALLY GET EXPOSED TO SUFFOLK SHEEP? I still remember going to a local commercial farm to pick out my first 4-H market lambs. I saw the wide- bodied old Suffolk ewes running up the hill with their ears bouncing, and I was hooked! My early mentors taught me a lot about commercial sheep production and performance evaluation through the Pennsylvania ram test, and that influenced both my career path and the focus of my breeding program to this day. WHY WERE YOU INTERESTED IN SERVING AS A VOLUNTEER ON THE USSA BOARD? “The sheep” have connected me to so many places and people over the years! I want to help ensure that others have similar opportunities. WHAT IS ONE OF THE BEST BENEFITS A USSA OR UJSSA MEMBER RECEIVES? The Digital Suffolk platform and our outstanding Executive Secretary are second to none! WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO A NEW USSA MEMBER OR SUFFOLK BREEDER? Above all, it’s most important to buy sheep from a flock that manages sheep like you do (or, that you adjust your management to match the source flock). Regardless of phenotype, genotype, show record, sale price, etc., if your plane of nutrition and management is higher than where your purchases came from, they and their offspring are likely to thrive. If it’s lower, they’re likely to struggle. WHAT DO YOU SEE ARE POTENTIAL AREAS OF GROWTH FOR THE SUFFOLK BREED OR THE USSA ORGANIZATION? Suffolk genetics influence more commercial/range rams and more crossbred market lambs than any other breed in the U.S. The most significant growth opportunity for USSA lies in providing an incentive for the flocks that are producing all those rams to register their sheep. WHAT IS ONE POSITIVE THING YOU REALIZED UPON YOUR VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT TO THE USSA BOARD? The committees are full of great, dedicated people, and that’s where the hardest work gets done!
WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’D GIVE TO A NEW USSA MEMBER OR SUFFOLK BREEDER? Be aware of your market. These sheep can fit so many scenarios, that they can actually make any sheep producer more profitable. Any breed and any market can benefit. But as a sheep producer, you must understand sheep in your area and market these animals according to what can make money. WHAT DO YOU SEE ARE POTENTIAL AREAS OF GROWTH FOR THE SUFFOLK BREED OR THE USSA ORGANIZATION? There are several registered Suffolks that can be marketed to other registered Suffolk breeders. But the vast majority of these animals will be sold to producers of non-registered Suffolks, and to producers with sheep of other breeds. The value of the offspring will be directly influenced by the “true to breed” genotype of these sires. That said, these offspring will get the full benefit of hybrid vigor of this mating. This must be the most important message the purebred Suffolk breeder can advertise. WHAT IS ONE POSITIVE THING YOU REALIZED UPON YOUR VOLUNTEER COMMITMENT TO THE USSA BOARD?| This one is easy. I didn’t realize the diversity of the breeders from around the nation that raise Suffolk sheep. I feel often we just get into our little routine and begin to think this must be the way all sheep are raised anywhere in the world. Not true. If you think about the long history of sheep in the world, they are raised basically in any area, in any climate in any country. That shows how different sheep breeds adapt to their environments. That also reinforces the need for this Suffolk breed. No other breed can add the amount of value to the offspring of sheep than the Suffolk. What other sheep related organizations are you currently or previously involved with? •
I am a member of the Idaho Wool Growers Association and am currently the State Association President I am a voting member of the American Sheep Industry (ASI) Board of Directors I am a Founding Board member of the National Ram Sale, Heber City Utah I am a past chairman of the Idaho State Ram Sale I taught high school agriculture for 34 years
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