USSA Meet your Board
WHAT DO YOU SEE AS FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE USSA AND FOR THE SUFFOLK BREED? I see the Suffolk breed as an excellent starter project for young producers in 4-H and FFA - no leg wool - easy to shear and present for a show. Getting the next generation interested in Suffolks and having a positive experience is so important for the breed and for the industry as a whole. A good experience as a junior can turn them into being a breeder or commercial producer as an adult. That’s what we need to grow the sheep industry in the U.S. JACK BLATTNER, BLATTNER SUFFOLKS KUNA, IDAHO • WEST DISTRICT HOW LONG HAVE YOU RAISED SUFFOLKS AND HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START? Began Blattner Suffolks in 1989. Started showing lambs at the fair in 1976. After college, I bought two registered ewes and started selling rams at the Idaho Ram Sale. WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO RAISE AND REGISTER SUFFOLKS WITH USSA? The Suffolk breed has a unique ability to make any breed better. We are marketing our animals to many different sheep businesses. Our ewes add an important piece to our farm. These animals open many opportunities when trying to have a sustainable farm. We choose to register our herd because there is no other way to keep accurate records of pedigrees and parenting efficiently and accurately. You can’t evaluate what you don’t measure.
WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT WHEN RAISING SUFFOLKS AND WHY? I have two: 1) A milk machine. The only way to raise bummer lambs. 2) A Sydell turn table. This makes trimming yearling ram feet doable. My son and I can process 12 rams an hour and do it all day. They are young, stout, 300 plus pound rams and it is much easier on them (and us!). WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT SERVING ON THE USSA BOARD? I enjoy working with people who share common interests. The Suffolk breeders I have met care about the breed, want to make their businesses better and they have great families. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE USSA AND FOR THE SUFFOLK BREED? The Suffolk breed will be the most influential breed for the U.S. sheep industry in the future! Think about that statement. They will lead lamb into the upper echelon of all proteins in the meat case. If you raise them, you will never have a problem selling them to anyone in the sheep business. We will all be rewarded because we raise this breed.
of the success of Suffolk breeders both with their flock, and in the show arena. WHAT DO YOU SEE AS FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE USSA AND FOR THE SUFFOLK BREED? There is opportunity for the Suffolk breed to become even more recognized and used by the sheep industry as the terminal sire, and also be recognized as suitable for small farm and homestead flock, as well as large commercial operations. JAY HARRIS, HARRIS LIVESTOCK JACKSONVILLE, ILLINOIS • EAST DISTRICT HOW LONG HAVE YOU RAISED SUFFOLKS AND HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START? I started my 4-H project with Suffolks in 1985. My dad Started with Suffolks in 1962. Prior to having Suffolks, our family had commercial sheep. My kids are the sixth generation to raise sheep on our farm in Morgan County, Illinois. WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO RAISE AND REGISTER SUFFOLKS WITH USSA? My son would answer that it’s a family tradition. I would say because of the excitement he has for the breed. WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IN RAISING SUFFOLKS AND WHY? Stomach tube - game changer for baby lambs. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT SERVING ON THE USSA BOARD? The people - I enjoy working with such a friendly and hard-working group.
CHRIS AUVILLE, AUVILLE SUFFOLKS MT. SIDNEY, VIRGINIA • EAST DISTRICT HOW LONG HAVE YOU RAISED SUFFOLKS AND HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START? We have raised Suffolks for over 36 years. It all started when our oldest daughter wanted to show market lambs
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