DAVID BOGUE 2025 Hall of Fame inductee Beresford, South Dakota
fit for me was raising dual-purpose Suffolk rams. Hence, we became more involved in sheep production, and for the next 40 years, my focus was to produce sound dual- purpose Suffolk rams. WHICH BREEDER HAD THE MOST IMPACT ON YOUR FLOCK AND WHY? Many breeders influenced the flock – Tom Burke, Bob Kimm, Gary Te Stroete, Craig Van Arkel, Darrell Anderson – and others. Some had genetic traits that I needed to improve my flock, others shared their expertise (nutrition, flock management) and others were influential through industry leadership. WHY DID YOU CHOOSE SUFFOLKS OVER OTHER BREEDS (OR OTHER SPECIES)? It was timing. Each time the farm or family evolved; the Suffolk breed fit the need. The boys needed livestock that they could have success with in 4-H. With the sheep, the boys from a young age–could work alongside me. I was already in production agriculture, and needed a breed that had longevity and would give us an advantage at market. As the boys grew, the Suffolk flock helped them each pay for college. Up until about two years ago, I was still able to manage the flock and care for them day-to- day. It has kept me sharp-minded and able- bodied.
WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL THING THE SUFFOLK BREED HAS DONE FOR YOU? Friendships. I found like-minded, good people. From east to west, from north to south, I will always cherish these friends. SHARE YOUR INVOLVEMENT WITH THE BREED AT THE STATE AND NATIONAL LEVEL. For about six years, I served on the National Suffolk Sheep Association (NSSA) board and served as President during 1997-1998. During this time, we began the process of merging with the American Suffolk Sheep Society to form the USSA. I was part of a delegation that worked with Brazil sheep producers, have hosted international guests at the farm, was chairman of the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) Seedstock Committee, and was honored as Master Lamb Producer and Friend of 4-H in 1984. WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE A NEW BREEDER OR JUNIOR MEMBER? I have always been impressed with the work ethic of our juniors. Watching them has often encouraged me. Along with that work ethic, set a concise goal with a timeframe. Ask yourself what you want to accomplish three months from now, eight months and then a year from now. Reflect on whether the work done has met or not met that goal. Celebrate the successes and take time to implement needed changes.
HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE SUFFOLK BREED? HOW HAS YOUR FLOCK EVOLVED SINCE THEN? My first paycheck was from the Sioux Falls Stock Yards at age nine for 20 head of lambs. My grandfather and father had been feeding sheep for a number of years, and I grew up helping them with the operation. We had a diversified farming operation with cattle, hogs, Belgian draft horses and feeder lambs. Then, in 1959, I finished my military obligations and came back home to the family farm, near Beresford, SD. At that time, my dad had a flock of commercial ewes – mainly Targhee. I suggested we focus on a crossbreeding program using Suffolk rams. I had judged livestock years earlier in 4-H and was impressed with the Suffolk breed’s carcass traits. When put together, the crossbred vigor improved our rate of gain and gave us an advantage at market. In 1972, I had three young boys, all interested in 4-H, and so we began to expand the purebred Suffolk flock. Eventually the right
“ From east to west, FROM NORTH TO SOUTH, I will always cherish these friendships. ”
ARE THERE ANY MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES INVOLVING SUFFOLKS THAT YOU WOULD BE WILLING TO SHARE? When I was a national director, I attended several of our junior shows. The work these young people had at such a young age was inspiring for me. Then, when a commercial producer would call and tell me they needed rams just like what they got last time, it made me proud that I could be part of their success.
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