Suffolk
HALL OF
MARK & BRENDA REAU REAU SUFFOLKS • PETERSBURG, MICHIGAN 2026 INDUCTEES HOW DID YOU BECOME INVOLVED IN THE SUFFOLK BREED? HOW HAS YOUR FLOCK EVOLVED SINCE THEN? We were married 48 years ago and in our first year of marriage built our home on a section of my grandparent’s retirement farm. They had bought a smaller farm after downsizing from the dairy business. At that time, my grandfather was ready to retire from raising livestock and said we could take over the barn. We decided we wanted to raise sheep, and Suffolks were the only breed we ever considered. We bought our first registered ewe from Buckham Farms at the Michigan Bred Ewe Sale. It’s too bad that there are not more bred ewe sales in our times, because it is a good way to get started. After that, we purchased many sheep at the Ohio Suffolk Sale, which was very big at the time, and also the Midwest Stud Ram Sale. We purchased some very good ewes from Jan Krehbiel, and he became a valuable mentor along with George Good from Michigan State University. In the beginning, we raised both breeding stock and club lambs, which all came from the same genetics. It is hard to believe, given the diverse genetics we see today. We had an
NAILE. We made so many friends along the way, even though most were our competitors. About 25 years ago, we were introduced to the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). Having an additional tool for genetic selection made so much sense. By using research-based Estimated Breeding Values, we made tremendous progress in our flock. Our sheep rank in the top tier for growth, muscle, and leanness, all traits that are critical to the sheep industry. We feel our role as a purebred breeder is to provide seedstock not only to other purebred breeders, but to commercial producers. Performance equals profit at all levels of the industry. Suffolk genetics play a significant role in the broader U.S. industry. NSIP has given us the tools to add additional value to our sheep. WHAT IS THE MOST MEANINGFUL THING THE SUFFOLK BREED HAS DONE FOR YOU? Our involvement in the breed has led to friendships across the country with other sheep producers. Even though many come from very different operations than ours, there is a special bond in being a shepherd and raising this beautiful breed. We enjoy sharing our knowledge with other breeders, especially new breeders. We think there is always something to learn from others as well. Much of my career was spent as an Extension agent, so I will always be an educator at heart. I have had the opportunity to teach at sheep events across the country, which has led to so many special friendships. One year, we hosted the Michigan Suffolk Breeders Lamb Tour. After the tour, we fed everyone
annual club lamb sale and especially enjoyed working with young people. We still have contact with many of the “kids” who are now in their 40s and 50s.
As the industry evolved, we decided our interests were best served by focusing on our breeding stock. My research in graduate school focused on artificial insemination, which was an emerging technology at the time, and we did quite a bit of AI to improve our flock. We spent many years being active in the showring, showing at the Michigan Suffolk Classic, Michigan State Fair, and
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