OF DIRECTORS at our county fair. When we found out our youngest daughter was “too young,” it created a complete melt down. A good friend that raised Suffolks informed us of the breeding show with no bottom age. Hence we were off to purchase our first Suffolk ewe. We are now working on the next generation of kids showing with our grandson taking a special interest in the Suffolks. WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO RAISE AND REGISTER SUFFOLKS WITH USSA? WHAT DO YOU SEE AS FUTURE OPPORTUNITIES FOR THE USSA AND FOR THE SUFFOLK BREED? The future of the Suffolk breed is very bright. Our junior participation has grown exponentially in the last few years. By involving our youth, that is the golden ticket to our future.
WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IN RAISING SUFFOLKS AND WHY? Great question. My first thought was, since it’s lambing time, our tubing device to make sure newborn lambs get their colostrum and we are able to know a lamb has gotten necessary nutrition. Less time in the barn. Then, I thought maybe our handmade portable wooden panels for sorting and our Sydell lambing pens or fencing panels or maybe our John Deere Gator? Finally, I decided the best piece of equipment was our minds. To be patient, resourceful and positive. So, use your head! WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT SERVING ON THE USSA BOARD? I enjoy the chance to interact with great sheep minds from all over the country with different ideas but similar goals. What do you see as future opportunities for the USSA and for the Suffolk breed? Future opportunities I see for the breed include the possibility of labeling the breed as something special. Some sort of “Suffolk Advantage” program which has been successful elsewhere. Another very positive sign is the energy and effort being put forth to gain young Suffolk enthusiasts.
We continue to raise Suffolks first for the love of the breed. Suffolks, aside from being the prettiest of the breeds, are great mothers and lambs grow fast. Having grandchildren wanting to work with them helps us to hold to what we love. WHAT’S ONE PIECE OF EQUIPMENT THAT YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT WHEN RAISING SUFFOLKS AND WHY? As I get older, I would say the cameras in the barn are the one thing I can’t live without. I used to be able to get up, put barn clothes on, check ewes and be back in bed in seven minutes. Now I just look at my phone and don’t have to go out in the cold. WHAT DO YOU ENJOY MOST ABOUT SERVING ON THE USSA BOARD? Being on the USSA board has allowed me to connect with people from other parts of the country with different programs. I enjoy hearing different opinions that I might not have had the opportunity to hear. I feel honored to work with these very smart people that feel the same way I do about the Suffolk breed.
MICHAEL JENSEN, MOONSHADOW FARM CASTANA, IOWA • WEST DISTRICT HOW LONG HAVE YOU RAISED SUFFOLKS AND HOW DID YOU GET YOUR START? Raising Suffolks for 40 plus years. We got our start by purchasing a Suffolk ewe at Alan Kjeldgaard’s bred ewe sale in Tekamah, Nebraska. Alan and family put on an impressive sale and Suffolks were THE breed for show animals. Our two daughters were thinking about joining 4-H. WHY DO YOU CONTINUE TO RAISE AND REGISTER SUFFOLKS WITH USSA? We continue to raise Suffolks because they are the best looking, best gaining sheep for our area. We continue to register our Suffolks because the registration process allows access to and written evidence of the history of bloodlines. Quality breeding shows up over a long period of time. Good sheep people know good breeding and careful examination of registration papers is a great way to investigate what to expect and be successful.
67 LEARN MORE ABOUT THE USSA AT SUFFOLKS.ORG
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