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The Legendary Lynn Barnes and the Willamette Valley Ram Sale!

Posted on July 26, 2017 by oregon Sheep Connection

Some things in life go hand in hand.  Salt and pepper, hotdogs and mustard, and the Willamette Valley Ram Sale and legendary Romney breeder Lynn Barnes.  Beloved by many and respected worldwide for his sheep, the amazing nonagenarian who recently passed was as humble in the end as when he started breeding sheep in the early thirties.

Born of a registered ewe purchased from the proceeds of raising a bummer lamb in 1932 and later the addition of four or five brood ewes, the Barnes Romney flock is reputed to be one of the oldest and purest lines of Romney sheep in the world.  While the ewe flock has remained closed since the initial brood ewe purchase in 1934, the storied veteran was meticulous, methodical and innovative about bringing in outside genetics via sire selection.

Barnes, along with close friend Eldon Riddle of Monmouth, were extremely progressive in years past bringing in a number of new ram lines to use on their ewe flocks.  Through imported semen, the two gentlemen were able to upgrade their flocks without losing the many great traditional traits of the Romney breed.

Two of those traits that have always been at the forefront of Barnes’ mindset are the breed’s adaptability to a full forage based diet and their amazing mothering ability.  Quoted in a 2007 Capital Press article, Barnes, a lifelong grass seed farmer was noted as saying, “The gain, though, depends on the feed and that comes back to annual ryegrass.”  Most who have known him best will contribute this focus to the success of his sheep over the decades.  While many reading this article might be quick to equate Barnes’ sole use of forages in the diet to sheep lacking a progressive stature to compete in today’s modern showring, that train of thought would be far from the truth.  Barnes sheep have sold near and far for many decades and are as successful in both breeding and show programs today as they always have been.

When I first interviewed Mr. Barnes for a Banner magazine article a few years back, the then ninety year old gentleman was lambing out one hundred ewes on his own.  With some help from relatives, Barnes was still going strong working his farm daylight to dark.  When ask about his key to success, he calmly pointed out his ewes have been bred over the years for low maintenance lambing.  Notes in the 2007 Capital Press article backed up this philosophy pointing out he had only had to assist one ewe out of one hundred and twenty-five ewes the lambing season before the CP interview.

Lynn’s progressive attitude, attention to detail, and functional philosophy have worked well in creating a flock that has withstood the test of time.  It is also this philosophy that has helped the Willamette Valley Ram Sale withstand the test of time.  As the last remaining large-scale, onsite breeding sheep sale in the state of Oregon, the event attracts a number of folks from the West Coast and is a favorite among many in the sheep industry.

Barnes, who was an essential part of the first sale and the development of not only the ram sale, but the Oregon Purebred Sheep Breeders Association has been in attendance at all but one of the sales since its inception almost eighty years ago.  In addition, his sheep have topped the sale on several occasions and in more recent years had the honorary position of holding the lead spot in the sale to start off the bidding.

Initially the brainchild of noted extension specialist O.E. Mikesell from Linn County, the original sale committee heralded an amazing set of prominent purebred breeders of the era.  Reading like a who’s who of legendary industry influencers, the initial board was made up of the likes of trend setters Chauncey Hubbard Sr., Ronald Hogg, Eldon Riddle, Jimmy Harper and Barnes himself.  Legendary in their time, the impact these gentlemen left on our national sheep industry can still be felt today.

Quick to speak to this point and spread praise to the forefathers of this event is current sale committee chairman Kraig Ohling.  As he explained, more than the sale came from Mr. Mikesell’s vision to showcase the Oregon sheep industry.  From the initial effort grew not only the historic ram sale, but also the Oregon Purebred Sheep Breeders Association as well as the now retired original Linn County Fairgrounds in Albany, Oregon.  As Kraig extolled of the effort, “The sale was the spark that spawned the OPSBA.”

The sale would take place at the old Linn County Fairgrounds for many years until the land was sold to build the new fairgrounds east of town.  At that time, the sale would transition through a few locations including the Polk County Fairgrounds several miles north as well as the historic Oregon State Fairgrounds in Salem and in more recent years takes place in the little town of Scio, Oregon.

Set for July 29th this summer, the sale will continue on its tradition to sell high quality rams and ewes to a variety of breeders from throughout the industry.  However, there will be one historic addition to this year’s sale order, the dispersal of many of Lynn’s beloved sheep following the Willamette Valley Ram Sale.  Set to be called by veteran sheep producer and auctioneer Jake Fallesen of Crabtree, Barnes son Jerry confirmed the event.

With his recent passing and a storied career behind him, Barnes sheep are sure to draw a crowd and add an extra element to the event.  As the younger Barnes noted of his legendary father’s philosophy towards raising his sheep, “Dad has always had the best of two worlds.  He has always raised grass and Romneys.  He has truly loved his Romneys in the ryegrass.”

As Jerry recalled of his father’s involvement in the Willamette Valley Ram Sale, his father has only missed one sale over its almost eighty year history.   Fortunately for Lynn, Jerry, then fifteen took the family’s sheep to the sale keeping his attendance streak alive and well.

While being in the sheep industry for over eighty years is quite an accomplishment in its own right, being in attendance at an event such as the Willamette Valley Ram Sale for so many years is downright unheard of.  This year as we attend this annual event, we can all take a moment to celebrate and reflect on the life’s work of such a phenomenal gentleman and the footprint he has left on not only the Willamette Valley Ram Sale, but on the worldwide sheep industry.  Mr. Lynn Barnes, your leadership and great service to our industry will be deeply missed, however your legacy will live on forever.  May your impact on our sheep industry be felt by the many generations to follow!

NOTE:  I would like to extend a sincere thank you to Greg Deakin at The Banner Sheep Magazine for allowing me to use this story on the Oregon Sheep Connection blog.  Originally written to be published in an upcoming issue of the magazine, Mr. Barnes’ passing moved me to ask Greg if I could use the story here so fellow sheep enthusiasts can read and share before the 2017 Willamette Valley Ram Sale and the Barnes Dispersal Sale.  Please watch for a printed version of this story in the upcoming issue of The Banner Sheep Magazine!

 

Categories: Current Issues, OPSBA, Uncategorized, upcoming events | Leave a comment

H-2A Proposal— It’s Everyone’s Problem!

Posted on May 30, 2015 by oregon Sheep Connection

If you are involved in the sheep industry then chances are you have heard something about the proposed rule changes governing the H-2A Sheepherder program.  Whether it has been an email from ASI Executive Director Peter Orwick, a post in the weekly ASI email bulletin or a written  plea of support from your local sheep association, you should by now know the H-2A topic is garnering a lot of buzz and with the June 1st public comment deadline looming only a couple of days away, it is certainly turning into a hot topic that has a number of folks fearing the long term impact it could have on our sheep industry.

If you raise sheep and the H-2A topic isn’t at the forefront of your conversations and thought process this weekend, then it should be.  You might ask yourself, does this really affect me?  The answer in one word is…YES!

Unfortunately for many of us, we don’t think this news affects us.  As a busy small purebred producer, hobby fiber farmer or club lamb enthusiast we might be quick to dismiss this proposed policy change as yet another commercial man’s problem, which on the outside it is.  Really in reality, how many of us weekend warrior, carhartt wearing sheep enthusiasts employ imported labor to care for our twenty acres of bliss?  The answer is very few to none!

Chances are if you are like me, a small scale producer that doesn’t employ these workers you might be asking yourself, is all of the time invested delving deeper into this complicated issue and writing an email to the US Department of Labor by June 1st going to fix anything?  Heck, for that matter how do I write the email and which facts do I put into it?

While ultimately there is no guarantee a truckload of comments turned in by industry members will make a change in the current direction of the proposed policy change, however an on-slot of opinions will certainly be on record to point out clearly what those leading this crusade already know.  The fact is this proposed policy change was created by publicly paid bureaucrats who chose not to engage stakeholders in yet another governing process!

Outside of the fact that good legislation or policy should always be the result of collaborative efforts from all parties involved, why is this piece of policy which on the outside appears to affect such a small percentage of our industry important to everyone?

The answer can simply be summed up in two words, “Industry Infrastructure”.  Without industry infrastructure we will fail to have a sheep industry and quite honestly unless you are part of the small minority of producers who markets their lambs, fleeces and bi-products direct to the consumer bi-passing any and all of the traditional harvesting and marketing channels then you will be affected if the changes are implemented as proposed.

Like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, to get a better view of how all of this fits together we must first look at the individual pieces to the puzzle .

  1. What is the H-2A Sheepherder Program and how does it currently affect the infrastructure of our sheep industry?
  2. What are the proposed changes and what affects will they have on our industry?
  3. How can we help?

What is the H-2A Sheepherd Program and how does it affect the infrastructure of our sheep industry?

The H-2A Sheepherder program is a longstanding arrangement overseen by the US Department of Labor.  This program provides a number of our industry’s larger operations with the opportunity to employ skilled workers on work visas from South America and other countries to tend to their flocks, herd their sheep/cattle and engage in the direct production of livestock.

As a small flock producer, the proposed rule changes don’t really have a significant direct impact on us.  I don’t employee workers, I have no need to increase wages and fill out more paperwork, however this ruling has a huge effect on the larger producers and in the long run this truly does affect me!  Why?

Simple, according to a data document provided by Dr. Julie Shiflett, a consultant to the American Sheep Industry office, 38% of our industry’s breeding inventory is managed under this scenario.  Thirty eight percent sounds like a small number until you realize this thirty-eight percent of breeding stock produces a great majority of the lambs and wool providing a steady stream of inventory being fed into the traditional supply chains that feed our lamb feeders, wool supply houses and harvest facilities.

This steady stream of supply from these H-2A herded flocks is what enables our large nationally based harvesting facilities and wool warehouses to continue to offer their customer base a consistent volume of product.  In fact in a recent comment letter made public by ASI, Mountain States Lamb Cooperative clearly noted, “Approximately 65 % of the lambs marketed through our cooperative come directly from ranchers using H-2A open range livestock herders”.  Simply put folks that is two-thirds of their inventory volume comes from operations who will be negatively impacted by the proposed regulations!

Without this ready supply of resources, these steady supply chains risk the threat of starting to dry up and facilities may ultimately lack the inventory to continue at current production levels thus having to  downsize their operations or even shutter their doors.

These are the same entities who have been  investing hundreds of thousands of dollars into our industry to encourage growth via the ASI Let’s Grow program and supporting the American Lamb Board.  If supply channels dry up and money slows down, there is a good chance these funding opportunities to promote lamb and drive our state and local  sheep associations into the future will also dry up.

In addition, this may open up the door for these larger entities to turn to foreign raised lamb to help offset the loss in volume from American producers.

Still not convinced?  Ask yourself where your lambs and wool are ultimately processed.  Think about the benefits, primarily paid for through the dollars of these large producers, the American Lamb Board’s efforts have created for all of us over the past several years.  Think about the amount of money our large warehouse wool buyers have contributed to the OSGA Scholarship fund over the years.   Finally, take count of the number of supporting industries from pharmaceutical and supply companies to transportation and service providers  that will be impacted by a significant decline in sheep numbers.

What are the proposed changes and what affects will they have on our industry?

If you have taken a moment to wade through the proposed policy information that has been sent out, you might be scratching your head and wondering about the key points which have so many folks deeply concerned about the proposed changes.   Ultimately, how do these specific proposed changes impact the future of our industry.  Luckily for all of the  political laymen, ASI, NLFA  and the Oregon Sheep Growers Association office has been working feverishly to simplify the points.  According to documents recently released from ASI, the major issues at the heart of the matter are:

1. The proposed rules would triple the wages paid to H-2A workers.

2. The proposed job description insists that livestock grazing takes place away from fences and, further half of the herders’ year must be away from the ranch headquarters and livestock facilities.

Let’s all face it, unless you are really lucky or an extremely skilled businessman, it is hard to get rich raising sheep.  We have all faced this conversation as we speak with a consumer regarding the cost of lamb on the retail shelf.  As we guide them through the costs and steps to producing these critters our mind can easily start to see just how slight the profit margin is in our industry.

Add to that unforeseen weather issues, predator problems and the rising cost of feed and fuel and on most years we are pushed to the limit.  This proposed Department of Labor policy would triple the cost of paying for labor.  Statistics recently released by ASI point out currently in most operations, hired labor can be figured in as 24 percent of an outfit’s total operating costs.  It doesn’t take a mathematician to quickly decipher the effects of tripling this wage and ultimately calculate the crippling outcome it could have on most operations.

While significantly increasing worker’s wages does have the prospect of being financially debilitating for a number of operations in our industry, the slamming door for a number of the folks directly impacted by these changes will be the ability to stay within the herder’s job description as outlined in the new proposal.

As most of us already know the sheep industry is diverse.  Because of our adaptability and the adaptability of the critters we raise, we can utilize a lot of different landscapes to raise a natural and wholesome product for the consumer.  In some cases this is utilizing federal permit land for summer grazing and in other instances it is helping to manage forage in a sustainable manner such as grazing the grass seed fields of the Willamette Valley.

In either scenario, the production herd will spend some of their time in a fenced scenario and need the careful eye of these trained shepherds to watch over them thus providing for their safety and well-being.

One argument I have heard from some in our industry is the new language in the proposed policy may provide an opportunity for producers to utilize more home-grown labor and force us to stop relying on imported labor resources to do the job.  While in theory this argument sounds wonderful, however in reality it might be another story.

To see the reality check of hiring local labor over imported labor one needs to look no farther than an article from October of 2011 appearing in The New York Times.  The article entitled, “Hiring Locally for Farm Work Is No Cure-All” outlines the hardships farmers from Olathe, Colorado faced when they tried to hire local labor for farm work a few years back.  This was when unemployment was at a high in recent years, so one can only imagine the results in today’s new and improved economy.

How can we help?

  1. Go to the American Sheep Industry’s Issues and Programs Legislative Action Center page.
  2. Read through the information provided to familiarize yourself with the issue.
  3. Click on the “View Posted Comments” link to get some inspiration and see others who have taken the time to give input.
  4. Click on the “Submit Comments Online” button to provide your input.

This issue is a bit like dealing with a wormy, runny sheep.  We all have choices, we can deworm the sheep and cure the runs or we can wait until things heat up and deal with the fly strike.  We are certainly capable of dealing with either one, the big questions are how much time do you want to invest and how much money do you want to lose!

If you have taken the time to read this post through and I have piqued your interest, then take the time to jot down a few comments.  Ultimately, we can either choose to be part of the solution or part of the problem.  Which choice are you going to make?

“Life is about choices.  Some we regret, some we are proud of.  Some will haunt us forever.”

Graham Brown

 

Categories: Current Issues, Fiber Enthusiasts, OPSBA, Oregon Wool, OSGA, Uncategorized, upcoming events, Wether Sire/Dams, Youth Activities | Tags: , , , | Leave a comment

Reinvigorating the Oregon Sheep Industry—Ewe Lamb Sale Set for this Weekend!!!

Posted on April 23, 2015 by oregon Sheep Connection

There was once a time in Oregon Sheep Industry history when ewe and ram sales were plentiful and the chance to get out multiple times a year to network with your peers over a complimentary meal,welcome new folks into the sheep family and quite honestly just compare notes about genetics over a steel railing were plentiful.  These wonderful social gatherings also afforded producers an opportunity to exchange great innovative ideas, pick up some wonderful genetics to add to their flocks, and allow juniors to be able to purchase some very competitive sheep to add to their summer show strings, all without a lot of drive time, travel expenses, and transportation hassles.

Then something happened and the historic sales started disappearing one by one until the Willamette Valley Ram Sale held in Scio every summer is the only one remaining.

While the sales have slowly disappeared, one thing hasn’t changed through this transition.

Continue reading →

Categories: OPSBA, Uncategorized, upcoming events, Youth Activities | Leave a comment

OSGA Convention Preferences

Posted on January 6, 2014 by oregon Sheep Connection

I have an Oregon Sheep Growers Association board meeting scheduled for next Monday evening and I know one of the hot topics on the agenda will be planning for the 2014 convention.  I am personally looking for feedback to take to the board regarding participation in the convention.

Throughout my travels each year I get to visit with a lot of fellow sheep producers from a variety of the segments in the industry.  From 4-H families just getting started to a great deal of national level veterans involved in a variety of the aspects of our industry.  One thing is for sure, Oregon is amazing blessed with an abundance of talented and enthusiastic shepherds!!!   With so many deeply passionate people, one would suspect our annual Oregon Sheep Growers Association convention would be overflowing with not only new faces, but the many we see every summer during show season, however in recent years that is quite the contrary.  So the board is looking at better ways to serve the needs of the industry.

As an OSGA board member I tend to represent not only the Central Oregon producers, but also a number of the industry segments that tend not to attend the event.  Throughout the year I am asked by not only a number of the leaders from OSGA how to better reach these populations, but also why they aren’t more involved.  On the flip side I am also asked by producers in the various segments why OSGA is not better serving them.  Quite frankly I have developed a very standard and canned explanation that tends to sum up the many comments I hear both ways throughout the year, but with the new president and the board’s goal of revitalizing the convention to better serve everyone, I would like to give them some more specific feedback from everyone.  Also, I would like to put numbers and faces of our flocks behind the comments.   

Please take five minutes to answer the questions below or jot down your thoughts, this truly will enable me to better represent and serve all of the segments of our Oregon sheep industry through our ASI affiliate.   If I could get your feedback by this Thursday that would be great and it would enable me to have time to put together comments to share with the others.  Please email your feedback to ktjones@crestviewcable.com.  Also if I do not know you directly, please list what you raise, number of years in the industry and your location/region. 

Please keep in mind I am not doing this as a board function, but rather because as a representative of some of the non-commercial segments of our industry, I am consistently asked why a variety of segments don’t attend these events or join OSGA.  I hear a variety of comments from everyone throughout the year at the shows and various events and quite frankly I am running out of my standard answers.   I would like them to hear it directly from you, realize how many people are out there that would like to see changes and why.  So I am personally offering my time to give everyone the opportunity to give the board their honest thoughts and I will pass them on in a safe and controlled environment.   OSGA is our state sheep industry’s representation to ASI and every sheep producer in our state deserves a right to have their voice heard!  This is your chance to have a voice in this process.   

Thanks,

Kris Jones

“We cannot accomplish all that we need to do without working together.” Bill Richardson

Below are a few questions to help get you started.

 *       Where would you be most likely to attend a convention?

    • A large resort area around the state
    • The coast
    • The Willamette Valley
    • Central Oregon
    • Eastern Oregon
    • Southern Oregon
    • Location doesn’t matter
  •  
  • Is cost a factor in your attendance?  Please list upper most price you would pay to attend? (not including lodging)
    • $    50
    • $ 100
    • $ 200
    • $ 300
  • Is the time of year (usually first or second week in December) a good time for you to attend the convention?  If not, when would you recommend?
  • Are weekdays –vs- a weekend a factor in your attendance?
  • How many days could you attend?  (one day –vs-3 days)
  • Are quality meals provided at the event important to you?  What is the most you care to pay for these meals?
  • Would you attend if there was a separate charge for attendance with meals option –vs- an attendance without meals charge?
  • Is the $50 cost of membership a factor in your either involvement in the convention or the association?
  • What type of educational programs would encourage you to attend the event?
  •         Reproductive Technology
  •         Nutrition
  •         Handling and Equipment
  •         Special Keynote speaker
  •         Leadership
  •        Wool Handling/Marketing
  •        Tours-if so what would you like to see?
  •       Social Media and Marketing opportunities/how to?
  •       Hmmm….any other ideas???
  • Why or why are you not a member of OSGA?  Are there services that you would either like provided or feel aren’t being provided that influence your decision to join the organization?
  • Any other thoughts—

 

 

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Upcoming Lambing Workshop

Posted on November 1, 2013 by oregon Sheep Connection

Dear Oregon Sheep Producers,

The mentor group of Central Oregon sheep producers would like to invite new and experienced sheep producers to join us at the Crook County Open Campus on Saturday November 9th from 9 AM-Noon for a viewing of the American Sheep Industry webinar, “Reducing Labor at Lambing Time”.

What:  Lambing Webinar and Workshop

When:  Saturday November 9th   9 AM-Noon

Where:  Crook County COCC Open Campus

Who:  Any sheep producers interested in improving their lambing systems

This nationally well received webinar is designed to help producers rethink their lambing systems and focus on creating efficient systems that help reduce labor and improve the quality of their lambing experience.  In addition there will be a number of mentor producers available on site to help answer questions, give support and share their experiences and systems.

This program is part of an ongoing series of sheep workshops developed in Central Oregon in a partnership between the Oregon Sheep Growers Association, a group of mentor Central Oregon sheep producers and Oregon State University Extension staff  to help improve the overall quality of our sheep industry, encourage the expansion of knowledge and create a sharing environment among shepherds to strengthen the Oregon Sheep Industry.

Please RSVP to Billie Estridge by texting, calling or emailing.

Billie Estridge

541-480-1340

tcf@cbbmail.com

Oregon State University Extension Service offers educational programs, activities, and materials without discrimination based on age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran’s status. Oregon State University Extension Service is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

 

 

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2012 OSGA Convention

Posted on December 4, 2012 by oregon Sheep Connection

Join the Oregon Sheep Growers Association at their annual convention this weekend in Lincoln City, Oregon.  There will be great opportunities for networking, learning and socializing.

Below is the schedule of events provided by Nikki at the Oregon Sheep Growers Association.  http://www.sheeporegon.com/  Please contact Nikki by Tuesday afternoon to ensure your meal reservations.  (503) 364-5462

OSGA 2012 Annual Meeting

Dec. 6-8, 2012 • The Salishan Resort

Agenda

 

Thursday, Dec. 6

6–10:00 pm          President’s Welcome Reception & Lamb Cooking Contest

 

Friday, Dec. 7

8:00 am                 Welcome

OSGA & OSC Report – John Fine, OSC Chairman & OSGA President

 

8:30 am                 ASI & Industry High Points – Clint Krebs

 

9:15 am                 Portland Lamb Jam & ALB News/Lamb Summit – Reed Anderson

 

9:45 am                 Report on 1st Mentor Program & Mentor Recruitment – Kris Jones

 

10:00am                Coffee Break

 

10:15 am               Risk Management Update –Clif Parker, Custom Ag Solutions

 

11:00 am               Panel: Wool Market Outlook

Will Griggs, Utah Wool Marketing

Dan Gutzman, Pendleton Woolen Mills

 

12:00 pm               Luncheon

 

1:30 pm                Forage & Management Alternatives to Extend the Grazing Season

Woody Lane, Ph.D.

 

Breakout sessions:

1)                           Brian Phelan: Lamb Market Outlook – Q&A

2)                           Bret Taylor:  Oregon Selenium Research

 

5:30 pm                 Sponsor Reception

6:30 pm                 Dinner

USDA Cooperator of the Year Presentation

7:30 pm                 Scholarship Auction

 

 

Saturday, Dec. 8

 

8:30 am                 Stan Potratz, Premier 1 Supplies — Making Sheep Production Easier

 

10:00 am               Facilities that Work at the US Sheep Experiment Station –

Dr. J. Bret Taylor, USDA, ARS, Dubois, ID

 

10:15am                Coffee Break

 

10:30 am               Animal Handling Equipment – What works, what doesn’t work & How to make it work! — Producer Panel

Bob Klinger – Clint Krebs – Mike Cowdrey – Tom Nichols

 

11:30 am               Sheep Research report from USDA Sheep Experiment Station & Selenium Update

Dr. J. Bret Taylor, USDA, ARS, Dubois, ID

 

12:15 pm               Luncheon

Announcement of Photo Contest winners

This Works for Me Entries & Awards

 

2:00 pm                OSGA Annual Member Meeting plus Election of Officers

 

5:30 pm                 Reception – no-host

6:15 pm                 Lamb Banquet

7:15 pm           Oregon Make It With Wool Fashion Show & Awards Cer

Categories: Uncategorized | 2 Comments

The Importance of Mentoring!

Posted on November 13, 2012 by oregon Sheep Connection

Earlier this fall I was given the opportunity to work with veteran OSU Extension Specialist Gene Pirelli to help develop a New Producer Mentorship Program for emerging entrepreneurs in our industry.  Through a partnership between the Oregon Sheep Growers Assocation http://www.sheeporegon.com/index.html , the Oregon Purebred Sheep Breeders Association http://www.oregonpurebredsheep.org/OPSBA/Home/Home.html  and Oregon State University Extension, new producers or people interested in gaining experience in the sheep industry will be able to further their knowledge at no cost.

There will be two potential educational and networking opportunities for interested parties to expand their horizons.  The first program is scheduled for Saturday December 1st at the Polk County Extension office in Dallas, Oregon and the second will be on Saturday January 12th in Prineville, Oregon.

Both programs will feature an overview of our industry organizations, a panel of progressive producers discussing a variety of marketing opportunities, an update on the Scrapie Program by Robert Dyk from the USDA, a free lunch, a short program on maximizing feeding opportunities as well as a presentation on forage management and a short course in lambing prep by Dr. Chuck Estill from OSU.

Why is this diverse program valuable to any producer?  First and foremost because at the end of the program emerging producers will be linked with mentors from throughout the industry with similar interests that will continue to help guide the new producer down a road to success!

For more information, please feel free to contact Gene Pirelli at gene.pirelli@oregonstate.edu or Kris Jones at ktjones@crestviewcable.com.  Also for the December 1st program, please rsvp by Thursday November 29th to 503-623-8395.  Lunch is provided and there is no charge, but rsvp’s are requested.  Also, please note this event is limited to adults over 18 only.

 

 

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What does the Kony 2012 video and the sheep world have in common?

Posted on March 10, 2012 by oregon Sheep Connection

It has taken me a couple days to step up and come out about an issue that tore at my heart strings in the spring of 2009.  As many of my fellow sheep peeps know I am the staff writer for The Banner Magazine http://www.bannersheepmagazine.com/  published out of Cuba, Illinois.  Many of my stories relate to various prominent breeders and people involved in our US sheep industry.  I always love these stories as I come away from each interview with a greater knowledge and respect for the many people that make up our sheep family, however from time to time Greg Deakin, my publisher gives me a story that is deep, meaty and leaves me searching my soul for answers.  From the Shambow fire in Wisconsin to the wildfires of California I have covered a number of instances when people are left searching for answers.  Always inspiring and always uplifting these stories leave me thinking all of my woes at home are a bit petty in nature.

However, with that said, there is one story over the years that has led me to see the world in a different light and that was the story of Conrad Mandsager from New Hampshire.  It was in the spring of 2009 and the initial story was about a former Suffolk producer from the Northeastern United States that created a missionary program in Northern Uganda to help former child soldiers.  With little knowledge of this plight I would spend the next few weeks in utter disbelief hearing about the atrocities being committed by adults on children in war-torn Africa.

Born out of passion, Mandsager would work to create a school in Uganda that would help to rehabilitate some of the most vulnerable of warlord Joseph Kony’s victims…the young girls, some as young as seven and eight, that were forced into becoming sex slaves only to be shunned by their families when turned back out into society with offspring from the revolutionary forces.  Many lacking both parenting skills or job skills struggled to bring up their offspring barely younger than themselves in camps.  This is where Mandsager saw a need and stepped into to do his part by creating Child Voice International  http://childvoiceintl.org/ , a rehabilitation and educational center that takes in these young girls and their families and gives them an education, security and most of all hope of fulfilling their dreams through gaining skills.

So up until a few days ago, Conrad Mandsager and his cause have been a lasting memory that comes to the forefront when I read about the atrocities or hear of a friend going on a missionary trip to Uganda, however the last couple days with the Kony 2012 video going viral it has held a pretty steady presence in my mind.

Although I can’t speak for the Kony 2012 invisible Children campaign, after listening to Mandsager’s words and watching the now famous video with almost verbatim facts I am a bit taken back by the naysayers of this world that are trying to sweep these atrocities under the carpet as if they have never occurred.  Which in turn has compelled me to write this post.

If you are looking for a way to support the anti-Kony movement and in turn support another sheep peep in his endeavors to create a better world, check out the Child Voice International websitehttp://childvoiceintl.org/ .  You can read my story in either an April or May 2009 copy of the Banner Sheep Magazine entitled A Life Changing Experience.  I know for certain Conrad Mandsager’s journey was life changing, but I can also say for certain so was mine when I wrote this story a few years back.

One of my biggest memories came after the story was published when Mr. Mandsager sent me a photo of a 10 foot python that was killed while trying to consume an almost two month old Dorper lamb raised on the school’s site in Uganda.  As Mandsager probably put it best, “this is not your typical US predator”.  Thank you Conrad Mandsager for sharing your photo.  Child Voice International is also on facebook.

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Happy Valentine’s Day!

Posted on February 14, 2012 by oregon Sheep Connection

Taking a moment to wish everyone a very happy Valentine’s Day!  Check out this cool Sheepy Valentine’s craft you can make to tell your favorite shepherd, “I love ewe!”

The tutorial is in three segments, but check out the following videos on youtube under Valentine Sheep, part 1,2 & 3.

Part 1-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WgqpCWC-u0k

Part 2-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qCsZa9bEl6M

Part 3-http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gjiBmVCIv0

 

 

 

 

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What is in your lambing toolbox?

Posted on February 3, 2012 by oregon Sheep Connection

As I wait for our first ewe to lamb, I am contimplating all of the things I need to make this year successful.  There are the simple things like towels, tubing equipment, nutradrench, bottle and nipples, iodine, and vacines for the new babies.  The list seems to go on forever and this year I am just a tad bit more stressed about questioning if I have everything in place and ready to go.

One might ask why, since I have been lambing sheep out going on more than 30 years, however I am missing one essential component-my Mom.  Getting past the emotional fact this is my first lambing season without her there are still all of things she quietly did that I really did not pay mcuh attention to.  Case in point, Mom was always our pharmicist and supply precurement person in addition to the record keeper.  This has all become very apparent recently as I have had to make my own list of ewe due dates as well as wonder if I have all of the necessary supplies to pull off lambing out our handful of ewes this year.

So as I was pondering a subject for my post today, it hit me, why not ask my fellow sheep peeps on Oregon Sheep Connection to share their many years of combined knowledge about what they keep in their lambing season toolboxes.  It makes perfect sense as I have been seeing this happen on and off for a couple years on Facebook when friends are having stressful barn moments and choose to share with their friends.  It never fails there are a number of friends willing to pop up with solutions, hugs, and general moral support.

One of my favorite things in my tool box is a wonderful book given to me as a Crhistmas gift by fellow sheep peep and administrator Correy McAtee.  Call it self preservation on her part as I had taken over posession of her copy of the book for a number of years.  The book is called Managing Your Ewe and Her Newborn Lambs written by Laura Lawson.  For me it is has been litterally a lifesaver bringing a number of lambs back from the brink of death.

As I look towards closing this post, I am curious to see responses about what the different shepherds think are their most valuable lambing season tools.  Feel free to list two or three or even more, but just out of curiosity, what is in your lambing season toolbox?

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