i n s i d e t h i s i s s u e : mlwpa s dan & mike...
TRANSCRIPT
Minnesota Lamb & Wool Producers
Mike Lippert, a
second-generation lamb
feeder from Olivia, who
feeds lambs on the farm
his father began in
1957; and his brother
Dan, of Blomkest, who
also feeds lambs in the
area on a separate farm,
were named the 2011
Silver Bell Award winners
for MLWPA.
In addition to being
outstanding sheep
producers, the Lipperts
are committed to
supporting the sheep
Industry, and promoting
lamb and wool. Both Dan
and Mike are actively
engaged on the national
level in addition to
supporting our state
association. Mike is
currently representing
the National Lamb
Feeders Association on
the American Sheep
Industry board of directors
and has participated in
numerous ASI
conventions, legislative
trips to DC, and assisted
with many Howard Wyman
Sheep Industry Leadership
Schools.
Not to be outdone, Dan
is currently serving on the
American Lamb Board, is a
past member of the
Minnesota Farm Bureau
sheep advisory committee,
Winter 2012
MLWPA S EL EC TS DA N & M IK E L I PP ERT A S S I LV ER BEL L W I N N ERS
I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E :
Sheep Ultra-sound Clinic 2
Shepherd’s Holiday recap 3
MN MIWW winners 4
ALB News 5
Pregnancy Toxemia 6
Animal Care News 7
Capitol Corner 8-9
Antibiotics 10
Animal Activist Irony 11
Faribault Woolen Mill 12
NE Ag fights HSUS 13
Calendar of Events 15
Board of Directors 16
SHEPHERD ’S NEWS
P R E S I D E N T ’ S M E S S A G E - L I F E F U L L O F A S S U M P T I O N S - K I R K R O E
I assume that the New
Year is positive for you and
your family. I assume that
the Minnesota winter
weather is coming. I
assume that the older
ewes will have lambs
without any problems. I
assume the ewe lambs will
be a challenge during
lambing.
I also assume that when
we are gone for a
weekend that all is well
with our house. This is
where my assumptions
get me in trouble. While
we were gone to the
Holiday Conference ADT
Home Security called my
cell phone about the
basement motion sensor
going off. I assumed it
was the towel I hung up by
the heat duct and I told
them to shut off the
sensor. When we got
home we found that a
plumbing connection had
broke and we had run
Mike & Dan Lippert—Photo by Amy Trinidad
more than 80,000 gallons
of water into our house.
What a destructive mess.
No more assumptions!!
I do know that there
are some new faces on the
MLWP board and I am
excited about being your
2012 MLWPA
Shepherd’s Holiday
Dec. 1
Mankato, MN
See you there! Cont. on p. 2
Cont. on p. 2
Dakotas, Montana
and Minnesota,
with some from
Texas and
Wyoming. They
send their lambs
to processors in
Detroit and
Colorado.
“The
sheep industry
has been good to
us and our
families,” Mike
says.
“It’s kind
of a family
tradition to be involved
and at the table,” says
Dan, who was appointed
to ALB in March 2010. “I
was happy to get
appointed as a
representative for the
lamb feeders, but it’s not
and has attended several
ASI conventions.
Mike and Dan both run
separate farms, growing
corn and soybeans, alfalfa,
canning peas and sweet
corn. They buy a majority of
their lambs out of the
just about representing
feeders, I am hoping we
can make some industry-
wide improvements in the
sheep business.”
The Lipperts have
been involved with NLFA
since its inception in
1957, and Mike attended
his first NLFA meeting in
1975, and from there,
served on the board from
1982 to 1992 and came
back in 2005 to serve as
vice president for two
years, president for two
years and now serves as
the immediate past
president.
The 2011 MLWPA
Junior Silver Bell Award
was presented to Kelly
Froehlich of Grasston.
Kelly is currently serving
her second stint as one of
Page 2
S H E E P U LT R A -S O U N D CL I N I C
S I LV ER BEL L —C O N T . F R O E L I C H W I N S J R S I LV E R B E L L
Winter 2012
the MLWPA
“Lambassadors” and she
has assisted with
promotional and
educational activities at
the Minnesota State Fair
and the Shepherd’s
Harvest Festival. In
addition, Kelly and her
family have taken an active
role in providing more
opportunities for junior
members in MLWPA.
Kelly is currently a
student at the University of
Minnesota.
MLWPA congratulates
Mike and Dan Lippert, and
Kelly Froehlich on their
respective awards!
[Ed. Note: The Silver Bell
Award winners will give a
presentation at the 2012
Shepherd’s Holiday in
Mankato.]
WHAT: A hands-on clinic for
sheep and goat producers to learn to
use ultrasound technology to
determine pregnancy in sheep or
goats. The clinic will demonstrate the
use of two machines, a professional
unit that will determine fetus
number, the other less costly,
“producer model” to determine
pregnancy (yes or no).
WHO: For all sheep and goat
producers. The clinic will be offered
by Dr. Reid Redden, NDSU Extension
Sheep Specialist and
Clearwater/Polk Extension. This will
be available to sheep and goat
producers, 4H families, veterinarians
or anyone interested in getting into
small ruminant production.
WHERE: Located at the Jim and
Roxanne Stordahl Farm near
McIntosh, MN.
WHEN: February 18, 2012.
Noon lunch followed by clinic at 1:00
to 3:00 pm
FEE: $10
each with
maximum of $20
per farm to cover
Reid’s travel
expenses and
noon lunch. For
more information, please call the
Extension office at 800-450-2465 or
Jim at 218-280-1129.
[Ed. Note: Jim is also planning a
Spring Sheep Workshop near
Fertile, MN for March. Please
contact Jim ([email protected]) if
you want to be on the mailing list for
that workshop. Topics will include
grazing, fiber workshops and much
more. MLWPA is co-sponsoring this
workshop with Extension.]
President Don Adelmann
Congratulates Kelly Froehlich
P R E S . M E S S . C O N T .
president for the
next 2 years.
Please check the
newsletter for dates
of 2 spring
workshops that your
organization is co-
sponsoring.
Kelly Froehlich
is doing an excellent job in getting
the youth members to meet
regularly on Skype (computer
meetings). The youth have some
good ideas and plans on activities
for the year.
If you have any questions or
comments please contact me at:
1533 510th Street, Buffalo Center,
IA 50424 (507) 525-0970 email:
Good luck with your winter and
spring lambing.
Shepherd’s News Page 3
T R E N T L O O S K E Y N O T E S S H E P H E R D ’ S H O L I DAY
The 2011 Shepherd’s Holiday
was a smashing success with well
over 100 shepherds, MIWW
contestants and vendors in
attendance. Special thanks to the
Brad & Kris Myers family for hosting
the Sunday farm tour.
If you were unable to attend, you
missed out on some excellent
seminars, including Trent Loos who
gave a humorous presentation on
advocating for agriculture; and a
“Sheep Scene Investigation”
(necropsy demo) from Dr. Goelz.
Refer to other articles in this
newsletter to read more about the
selection of Silver Bell Winners,
Make It With Wool contest winners,
and the election of a new officer
team for 2012.
MLWPA thanks the following:
Major Sponsors: MN Corn Growers
Association, MN Soybean Research
& Promotion Council, AgStar
Finnacial Services.
Other sponsors: Greystone
Construction, Lonsdale Feed Mill,
Highwater Energy LLC, Monson Lakes
Nutrition, Waconia Farm Supply, Don
Adelmann, MidCountry Bank, ASI, MDA,
Groenwold Wool & Fur, The Banner,
Sheep Magazine, Gene Check, Sydell,
Northland Woolens, St. Peter Woolen
Mill, Pipestone Vet Clinic, Bank MidWest,
WFS, Pioneer Seeds, Farm Bureau,
Jackson Feed, Yeager Implement,
Thread Logic, Lano Equipment, Country
Co-op Farmers Elevator, Land O’Lakes
Feeds and several individuals who
donated auction items and time. Thanks
to Travis & Jeanine Fowler for
Coordinating.
Meeting was called to order at
7:30 pm, Dec. 2, 2011 at Morton,
MN. Motion made and seconded to
approve the minutes as distributed.
Motion carried. The board reviewed
the treasures report through
10/31/2011. Checking balance
$1,183.19 and savings balance of
$75,460.29 for a total of
$76,643.48. Reviewed the check
registry through 10/31/2011.
Motion and second to accept the
treasurer report subject to audit.
Motion carried.
Lambassadors – still looking for
reports from the lambassadors to
outline the activities for 2011. The
board needs to find a coordinator to
give direction for activities. Searching
for new applicants for 2012. Motion
made and seconded to compensate
the lambassadors for 2011. Motion
carried.
Starter Flock – Shawn Weckman
will receive for 2011.
ASI – report was given on the
media tour that was held at Jeremy
Geske’s for the 2+2 campaign.
Motion made and seconded to have
Mike Haubrich be our delegate at the
annual ASI meeting in January.
Motion Carried.
Loretta Pedersenhas agreed to
be the commercial booth coordinator
for 2012. Stipend was agreed to at
$2,000. Loretta will be unable to do
the Harvest Festival or Shepherds
Holiday due to conflicts. She would
like to pursue internet sales with our
merchandise. The trailer is being
housed temporarily at Jeremy
Geske’s. The commercial sales net
income for 2011 totaled $16,981.
The 2012 annual meeting will be
held on December 1st in Mankato at
the Country Inn Suites. This will be a
one day event.
Spring Workshop – Jim Stordahl
is planning a workshop in the Fertile
area geared to small flocks, grazing
and direct marketing. Motion and
second to cooperate with Jim on the
spring workshop. Motion carried.
Fall workshop – this will be
discussed after the spring workshop.
(George Warrant approached me
after the meeting and would be
willing to host the fall workshop)
Website – Due to the passing of
our webmaster, Jerry Ryan, we are in
need of someone to take over this
responsibility. (Melanie Pamp &
daughter are preparing a proposal.)
Baa Booth – Bret Oelke
addressed the board. He expressed
concern that there needs to be more
board and producer involvement to
better engage the public. Changes
that need to be looked at: more
tattoos, handouts, pencils with logo,
MN Grown booklets, statistics.
Challenges: more help, volunteers.
Jodee and Jo Bernard would be
willing to coordinate this again 2012.
The board worked up a proposed
budget to be presented to the
membership for approval.
Motion by Mike and second
by Karen to adjourn. Motion carried.
M LW PA B OA R D M E E T I N G M I N U T E S - D A N P E R S O N S
Trent Loos Addresses Packed Room
Dr. Goelz discusses ram fertility
Page 4 Winter 2012
MLWPA EL EC TS NE W D I R EC TORS/OFF I C ERS The 2011 Shepherd’s Holiday
marked the end of President Don
Adelmann’s 2nd term , and he now
joins Dan Persons as one of the two
immediate past-presidents that
remain on the board of directors.
Thanks Don for you time and
commitment!
In addition, a couple board
members decided not to seek re-
election, and a couple others ran for
new positions. Paid members at the
annual meeting elected the following
to serve as your 2012 MLWPA Board
of Directors:
President—Kirk Roe
1st Vice-President—John Dvorak
2nd Vice-President—Melanie Pamp
Secretary—Jeremy Geske
Treasurer—Glenette Sperry
NE Director— Steve Froehlich
NW Director—Karen Stormo
SE Director—Steve Scheffert
SW Director—Mike Haubrich
WC Director—Randy Kinney
Metro Director—Mary Radermacher
Past Presidents (2) - Don Adelmann
and Dan Persons
Thank you to the outgoing board
members for your service to the
industry. Patty Anderson—your
contributions and especially
management of the state fair
commercial booth will be greatly
missed! Becky and Terri—thank you
for your service to the organization!
Contact information for all
directors is on the last page of the
newsletter. Please contact any of us
with your input. We welcome and
encourage your involvement.
2011 M I N N E S O TA M A K E I T W I T H WO O L W I N N E R S
The Minnesota “Make It With
Wool” contest was held at Jackpot
Junction in Morton, MN on December
3, 2011 in conjunction with the
Minnesota Lamb and Wool
Producers Annual Conference. There
were 34 entries (four age divisions
along with Made for Others,
Quilt/Afghan and Novelty categories)
using more than 200 yards of
beautiful wool fabric or yarn to create
their garments and other wool item.
Advancing on to the National
Competition on January 26-28, 2011
in Scottsdale AZ:
Junior (age 13-16): Winner-Andrea
Dunrud of Forest Lake;
Senior (age 17-24): Winner- Sarah
Thelen of Oakdale, MN.
Adult: (age 25-over): Traci Lafrentz of
St. Joseph, MN .
Participates in the preteen honor
group for ages 12 and under were
Ceceila Voss of Apple Valley; Alex
Hanson-Roe of Frost, MN and
Macala Lefrentz of St. Joseph, MN.
Novelty item in the Adult, winner
was Brenda Barber of Blomkest MN.
Novelty item in the Youth , winner
was Seranna Werling of Stillwater,
MN .
The purpose of the “Make It With
Wool” contest is to focus attention on
the beauty and versatility of wool, to
encourage the use of wool fabric or
yarn in sewing, knitting or crocheting
fashionable garments. Contestants
must use fabric or yarn of at least
60% wool. Beautiful wool prizes
were awarded to each contestant.
Glenette Sperry served as State
Director for the contest.
Sponsors for the
Contest were: Minnesota
Lamb and Wool
Producers; American
Sheep Industry Women;
Pendleton Woolen Mills,
Portland OR; Treadle Yard
Goods, St. Paul, MN; Burr
Oak Farms, Dresser, WI;
Hagedorn Farm, Granada,
MN; Tanika & Larry
Bender, Shafer, MN;
Denise Nohner,
Independent Mary Kay
Sales Director, Eden
Valley, MN, St. Peter
Woolen Mills, St. Peter,
MN; Oak Leaf Grange,
Harris, MN ; Baa Baa
Acres, Ralph & Marie
Carlson, Harris, MN;
Northland Woolen Mill,
Nelson, MN; Erica
Freeman, Minnetonka,
MN; Margaret Martin of
Wayzata, MN.
Andrea Danrud of Forest Lake, and Sarah Thelen
of Oakdale represented Minnesota at the
National Make It With Wool Contest in Pheonix,
AZ. Congratulations from the MLWPA Board of
Directors.
Shepherd’s News Page 5
Bringing Lamb to the
Center of the Plate
The American Lamb Board
participated at the fall National
Association of Meat Processors
(NAMP) Center of the Plate
conference held at Kendall College in
Chicago, September 22-23, 2011.
The conference brings together
foodservice and retail distributors
and buyers to learn about cuts of
meat as well as tips on sourcing.
Steve Olson of USDA fabricated an
American lamb leg as well as a loin
roast. The American Lamb Board
provided a brief PowerPoint
presentation before the fabrication,
and distributed American Lamb
Board information kits.
Kroger Retailer Training
The American Lamb Board
recently participated in a Kroger pilot
training program designed to
educate retail associates about how
to provide cut and cooking tips to
customers who are shopping in the
meat department. Kroger invited the
American Lamb Board and other
protein groups to train a group of
associates in two markets about
buying and preparing their products.
ALB provided an overview of the
lamb industry, showcased the most
common retail cuts and
demonstrated three simple cooking
techniques – roasting, slow cooking
and grilling.
New Consumer Recipe Brochures
ALB has designed a fresh new
recipe brochure that includes 12
simple seasonal recipes and photos.
ALB has also restocked many of the
best-selling/fan favorite brochures
such as Chop Chop, which includes
cooking times and temperatures for
chops along with several simple
marinade and rub recipes, and Local
Flavors, a beautiful booklet with four
elegant grilling recipes that use
Fresh, seasonal ingredients. Order
up to 100 copies of these brochures
free of charge.
Nutrition Education Program
Since 2007, the Tri-Lamb
Nutrition Working Group has
collaboratively supported the “Lean
on Lamb” strategic nutrition
communications program. For four
years, the nutritional benefits of lamb
have been the communication
platform of this program and
nutrition thought leaders have been
the primary audience. In 2011, this
program has continued to focus on
nutrition education with a primary
goal of increasing consumer
awareness and familiarity with lamb
as a healthy protein through a
Supper Club (easy, healthy
entertaining) theme. The program
has targeted bloggers in three
markets – Boston, DC and LA – to
host seasonal Supper Club parties
with different cuts of lamb.
The seasonal supper club kits
are also distributed to national and
local media. Please contact the
American Lamb Board office at 866-
327-5262 or by emailing
order copies of the new Supper Club
booklet, which includes four new
recipes and photos.
For more information visit
www.leanonlamb.com.
A M E R I C A N L A M B BOA R D N E W S
S I M P LY D E L I C I O U S L A M B V I N DA L O O - J E S S I E G R E A R S O N
Jessie Grearson of Falmouth, Maine, was the winner of the family favorite lamb recipe contest sponsored by the American Lamb Board. Learn more at
www.americanlamb.com.
Ingredients
1 lb. boneless lamb stew meat, trimmed
and cut to 1 inch cubes
4 garlic cloves
2 tablespoons fresh ginger,
1 teaspoon cumin
2 teaspoons garam masala
1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
½ cup low fat plain yogurt
¼ cup light olive oil
1 cup tomato puree
1/4 cup sour cream
Salt and fresh pepper to taste
3-4 tablespoons freshly minced cilantro
Directions
Prepare lamb and set aside.
Blend garlic, ginger, cumin, garam masala, cayenne and yogurt together. Stir in lamb chunks and marinate for 15
minutes to overnight.
Heat oil to shimmering in a large nonstick pan. Cook lamb chunks and yogurt marinade for 8-10 minutes. Reduce heat and stir in tomato puree. Simmer over medium-low heat for 5-7 minutes, until sauce is somewhat reduced. Stir in salt
and pepper to taste. Lower heat and
simmer, covered, for 30 minutes more, or
until meat is tender. Turn heat to very low, and gently stir in sour cream until heated through. Remove from heat and sprinkle before serving with fresh chopped cilantro. Serve vindaloo with dollops of additional yogurt and basmati rice, or
freshly heated naan.
Page 6 Fal l 2011
N E W A P P R OA C H F O R T R E A T I N G E W E S W I T H P R E G N A N C Y T O X E M I A
Dr. G.F. Kennedy of the
Pipestone Vet Clinic offers his
thoughts on a new method of
treating sheep experiencing toxemia
in the final weeks of pregnancy.
"There is a report from Israel that
the use of Flunixin Meglumine at 2.5
mg per 1 kg or 1 cc per forty pounds
of body weight administered
intramuscular, in conjunction with
conventional treatment can provide
much better results treating
pregnancy toxemia than conventional
methods alone.
“The anti-inflammatory Flunixin is
better known by the trade name
Banamine. Animals were treated for
three days. I suspect subcutaneous
injections would work as well.”
Conventional Treatment
Treatment of ewes with ketosis
(pregnancy toxemia) involves
preventing the condition from getting
worse and/or aborting the fetus. If
the ewe is close to lambing we
recommend inducing the ewe to
lamb with dexamethasone (5 mL,
I.M.). Inducing ewes with
dexamethsone is the closest
replication of natural labor that is
available. Ewes generally do not
begin labor for 24-48 hours after
injection. Ewes can be maintained
with propylene glycol, 4-6 oz. orally 3-
4 times a day and Predef (2mL, S.Q.
every other day). Appetite stimulants
such as Vitamin B complex and
probiotics may also be beneficial. All
of this will not correct the problem
but can help maintain the ewe for a
few days if she is close to lambing. If
the ewe will not live long enough for
induction of labor, lambs should be
by Caesarian Section. If the ewe is
not close to lambing we recommend
that the lambs be aborted with
dexamethasone.
What is Pregancy Toxemia?
Pregnancy Ketosis (a.k.a,
Toxemia or Twin Lamb Disease) is a
metabolic disease of late gestation
ewes. The disease exists when the
nutrient requirements of the growing
lambs in the uterus exceed the
nutrient intake of the ewe. At six
weeks before lambing the fetus is
only about 1/3 of the size it will be at
full term. During the last six weeks
things begin to change. As the lamb
grows its nutrient requirements
increase exponentially. In this stage
the glucose requirement is 70 to 85
grams of glucose per lamb per day
added on to the 85-100 grams that
is required for non-pregnant ewe
maintenance. Secondly, as the lambs
grow, the ewe begins to run out of
space in her abdomen. The
increased appetite compensation is
no longer effective as she physically
cannot eat enough of the same feed
to compensate for the lambs. The
shepherd needs to offer more
nutrient dense feedstuffs to
help the ewe maintain
herself, and the added
growth of her lambs.
If the ewe cannot
consume enough nutrients
she will sacrifice herself for
the lamb’s maintenance and
growth requirements. She
does this by metabolizing fat
and using it to fulfill her
maintenance requirements.
Metabolically this is similar to
a starvation scenario, despite the
fact that she is eating. Fat is utilized
as an energy source in the form of
ketones. The problem occurs when
ketone levels become too high. This
causes depression and reluctance to
eat. The ewe eventually becomes
weak and unable to stand.
Prevention
Prevention starts in the first
trimester. Both fat ewes and thin
ewes are at high risk for ketosis.
Ewes should be condition scored
after breeding and sorted
accordingly. Practically this may
mean that you have two gestating
pens, one with heavy-conditioned
ewes and one with thin ewes. Ewes
can be examined by ultrasound and
sorted based on number of lambs
they are carrying. Ewes carrying twins
need 180% more nutrient energy
intake than ewes carrying singles
and for ewes with triplets the number
is 240%. Certainly the number of
gestating groups depends on what is
practical and labor-efficient for the
individual farm. Over-conditioned
ewes can lose weight during the first
two trimesters but must be gaining
weight by the third or they are at risk
for ketosis. Thin ewes should be
gaining weight throughout gestation.
Correct conditioned ewes should
maintain their condition through the
first two trimesters and gain in the
third. Increasing nutrient density in
the third trimester is most easily
accomplished by feeding grain
starting about 6 weeks before
lambing. Moving from poor quality
hay to higher quality hay is also
beneficial. With highly prolific ewes
grain and specifically corn is
necessary as the ewe does not have
much room in the abdomen for feed.
For sheep health questions and
supplies, visit their website at:
www.pipevet.com Or call:
800-658-2523
Shepherd’s News Page 7
A N I M A L C A R E N E W S - N A T I O N A L I N S T I T U T E F O R A N I M A L A G
Animal Welfare: What’s your role?
Animal Welfare proponents
emphasize the responsibility of pet
and livestock owners to care for the
individual needs of those animals
entrusted to their care, a belief that
almost any livestock or pet owner
would accept and honor. Animal
Rights activists , however, demand
that animals, pets or livestock, be
treated as members of the moral
community and have the same rights
as people, a position that most
livestock and pet owners find
contrary to their fundamental beliefs.
The need for public awareness
surfaces as a major obligation for
livestock producers and pet owners
who feel the activists’ efforts will
infringe upon their rights as owners.
Because of the well-funded
organizations that lead the animal
rights movement and the
disillusioned public who unknowingly
support the Humane Society of the
United States (HSUS), because they
believe HSUS is affiliated with their
local Humane Society (they are not),
the challenge is monumental.
Leading by example could be a
strategic approach for livestock
producers and pet owners in their
animal welfare educational agenda:
Handle and care for animals as if
someone were watching your every
move.
Adopt proven and effective
livestock handling practices that
focus on diminished stress and
potential harm to livestock and
handlers.
Incorporate recommended
livestock handling guidelines into
present or proposed systems that
promote efficient, natural-instinct
flow through working facilities.
Utilize genetics and trained
producer skills to improve
herd/flock disposition.
Utilize genetics that result in polled
offspring that eliminates the need
for dehorning and reduces injury.
Perform surgical procedures such
as dehorning and castration at a
young age to minimize pain.
Public engagement begins at
home in discussions with the
immediate family, siblings, aunts and
uncles, grandparents and neighbors.
Livestock and pet owners can be
effective communicators and should
not place this total responsibility on
commodity organizations.
Meat industry focused on proper
animal handling practices
“Consumer and restaurant
companies come to expect slaughter
establishments maintain a high
regard for animal welfare, and the
industry has stepped up to the
challenge,” said Kurt Vogel, assistant
professor of livestock welfare and
behavior at the University of
Wisconsin, River Falls, during a
webinar hosted by Alchemy Systems,
LP, located in Austin.
“In 1991, we partnered with
Temple Grandin to develop our first
recommended animal handling
guidelines for meat packers, which
was rather groundbreaking at the
time,” said Janet Riley, senior vice
president of public affairs for the
American Meat Institute.
“In 1996, Dr. Grandin audited
meat plants for the USDA and
concluded there were objective
criteria that could be used, and we
thought that was a great idea.”
As a result, in 1997, Grandin, a
professor of animal science at
Colorado State University, wrote an
audit for AMI.
“In 1999, McDonalds began
using the audit that really set in
place the auditing phenomenon in
packing plants,” Riley said.
“When I first stated in the
industry, I thought I could fix
everything by building the perfect
system,” Grandin said. “But I found I
could only fix half of the problems.
The other half is management.”
Once the audits of meat processing
facilities started, Grandin said, “I saw
more change in the industry than I
saw in 25 years before that.”
Grandin audited 75 plants for
McDonalds. “There were only three
plants that had to do something
really expensive,” she recalled. “Most
plants I can fix without buying a
whole lot of equipment.” Some of the
easy changes included adding a light
at an entrance, adding non-slip
flooring or adding solid panels in
places so animals don’t see people
in front of them.
“I am a visual thinker, so I notice
things that cattle are afraid of like an
area that’s too dark, a reflection,
people walking by or a hose on the
floor,” the university professor
explained. “Good handling requires
more walking because employees
have to bring up smaller groups of
animals,” Grandin said. “You should
only fill the crowd pen half full.”
“Audits have become
commonplace in large slaughter
establishments because many of
their customers require assurance
their supplies are maintaining an
acceptable level of animal welfare,”
Vogel noted. “These audits have
become very useful for management
of slaughter facilities because they
allow the management to track the
performance of employees on a day-
to-day basis.”
Grandin is a big fan of video
watching in meat processing
facilities. “The only way to make
cameras work is the video needs to
be audited by a third party or
someone in a corporate office,” the
university professor said. “Someone
must look at the video, collect the
data and then if something is in non-
compliance, the plant gets an email
immediately.”
Shepherd’s News Page 8
CA PI TOL CO N N EC TION
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
Announces Wolf De-Listing
On December 21, the U.S. Fish
and Wildlife Service announced they
are officially de-listing the wolf from
the Endangered Species List. This is
good news in the long-term struggle
to return wolves to State
management and allow ranchers
additional legal protections to protect
livestock from wolves.
Key points:
The de-listing will become effective
in 30-days after the official listing
language appears in the Federal
Register.
The de-listing process could be
stopped by individuals or
organizations who might file a
federal lawsuit, which has
happened several times over the
last decade.
If a lawsuit is filed and a federal
judge stops the de-listing process,
the MLWPA stands ready to
aggressively press our
Congressional delegation to take
action to legislatively de-list the
wolf and bar additional frivolous
legal action from disrupting the de-
listing process.
Once officially de-listed, control of
managing wolf populations will be
the responsibility of the Minnesota
Department of Natural Resources
and be managed via the state wolf
management program. (go to
http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/mam
mals/wolves/mgmt.html>)
The State wolf management
program divides the State into two
zones and provides additional
flexibility for cattle producers and
rural landowners to harass or shoot
wolves in both zones. In Zone A
(Northern portion), individuals can
only shoot or harass wolves posing
an "immediate threat" to livestock
or pets. Immediate threat means
observing a wolf stalking or
attacking livestock. The
“immediate threat” clause does
not apply to the Southern Zone B,
and individuals can shoot or harass
any wolf in an area around
livestock.
Despite de-listing, there still will be
a need for the professional
services of wildlife service trappers
to respond to wolf complaints. The
MSCA will be working with the
Minnesota Dept. of Natural
Resources, USDA-APHIS Wildlife
Service, Minnesota Department of
Agriculture and others to identify
the best strategy to retain and pay
for these services.
Despite de-listing, it is critical that
the Minnesota Department of
Agriculture maintains its wolf
depredation payment program that
pays ranchers for livestock killed by
wolves.
Wolf Hearing Scheduled in Senate
Environment Committee
The Minnesota Senate Environment
and Natural Resources Committee
will hold a hearing on January 5 at
9:00 a.m. in Room 107 of the Capitol
to hear testimony on wolf de-listing
and management. The MSCA plans
to attend and offer testimony.
The Committee is chaired by Sen. Bill
Ingebrigtsen.
[Ed. Note: 1st V.P.—John Dvorak
testified on behalf of MLWPA.
MLWPA, MSCA, MFBF & MFU
released a joint statement in support
of de-listing the wolf.]
House Approves Bill to Limit
Regulation of Dust
On December 8, the House
approved H.R. 1633 by a vote of
268-150 to limit the ability of the
U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) to regulate dust. There
is no word if and when the Senate
will take up S.1528, Senator
Johann’s companion legislation. The
Senate bill currently has 26 co-
sponsors.
Following is how the Minnesota
delegation voted:
AYE: Chip Cravaack, John Kline, Erik
Paulsen, Collin Peterson, Tim Walz
NAY: Keith Ellison and Betty
McCollum
ABSENT: Michelle Bachmann
[MLWPA supports an AYE vote.]
Senators Ask For Withdrawal of
‘Misguided’ Child Farming Regulation
According to The Hill, thirty
senators are calling on Labor
Secretary Hilda Solis to withdraw
immediately proposed federal rules
that would limit the work that young
people can perform on farms.
Led by Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.)
and Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), the
senators have asked Solis to rethink
her department’s “misguided”
attempt to revise child labor laws for
agriculture.
“We request the Department
withdraw the proposed rule
immediately until such time as it can
substantiate that any proposed
changes to current [Agriculture
Hazardous Orders] will significantly
improve youth safety, while at the
same time prevent significant
adverse economic impacts on rural
employers,” the senators’ letter
states.
[Ed. Note: Senators Amy Klobuchar
and Al Franken were not signatories
on the letter. ]
Federal Spending Package Includes
Sheep Language
A tentative deal was reached
between the U.S. House of
Shepherd’s News Page 9
CA PI TOL CO N N EC TION - C O N T .
Representatives and the U.S. Senate
Thursday evening to fund the
federal government for the
remainder of fiscal year 2012
(through September 2012). Now that
the spending deal has been reached,
votes are expected in both chambers
on Friday.
The funding bill sets government
spending for the year at $1.043
trillion, a level agreed to in an August
deal that raised the nation's legal
borrowing limit. The figure represents
a 1.5 percent drop in spending from
the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30.
The omnibus spending package
outlines spending for nine
government agencies, including the
Department of Interior, Environment
and Related Agencies, which
includes American Sheep Industry
Association (ASI) supported language
regarding sheep grazing and wild
sheep. The language prohibits the
U.S. Forest Service from using funds
to reduce domestic sheep grazing
because of conflicts with bighorn
sheep, unless the management is
consistent with a state wildlife plan.
The Bureau of Land Management
must consult with state fish and
game agencies and follow state
wildlife management plans to the
extent that they don't conflict with
federal laws.
"The sheep industry is very grateful
for the leadership and commitment
of Rep. Mike Simpson (Idaho) to
include the sheep industry language
in the interior bill," commented
Margaret Soulen Hinson, ASI
president. "This inclusion gives the
industry and researchers the
necessary time to finalize the
implementation of promising
vaccines to address disease issues,
as well as strategies to implement
best management practices to
promote the coexistence of both
species of sheep."
Soulen Hinson added that lawsuits
by anti-livestock groups have been
driving the decisions of federal land
managers threatening nearly 25
percent of sheep production in
America.
A statement by House Interior
Appropriations Chairman Simpson
this week said, "I don't believe that
putting ranchers out of business is
an acceptable solution to this
problem. I believe that if we are
thoughtful and willing to invest time
and energy into research and
management, we can find a solution
to this problem that conserves both
bighorn populations and the
domestic sheep industry."
Also supported by ASI is language
that addresses trailing permits that
have been a subject of lawsuits of
late as well.
In a related note, the ASI
nationwide solicitation to fund a
resolution of the wild sheep
controversy has reached over 200
contributors totaling more than
$40,000. [Ed. Note: MLWPA
contributed to this fund.]
"We have had a great response to
this solicitation and encourage those
who have not yet contributed to
strongly consider supporting this
critical industry wide initiative,"
concluded Soulen Hinson.
ASI Supports Checkoff Programs
In a letter to U.S. Senate, U.S.
House of Representatives and U.S.
Department of Agriculture (USDA)
leadership, the American Sheep
Industry Association, along with 19
other national agriculture
organizations, stated their strong
support for the various state and
federally authorized research and
promotion programs, commonly
known as checkoffs, in which
members participate.
Recent distorted media attacks
and ill-conceived legislative
proposals ignore how these
programs are established and
approved in referenda by producers
who fund programs with their own
money. With oversight provided by
USDA, producers have taken it upon
themselves to fund over $905 million
of research, promotion and
consumer education programs
annually through checkoff activities
at no cost to the federal government.
In these austere budgetary times, our
producers should be commended
and certainly deserve the support of
the authorizing committees and
USDA.
In conclusion, the letter states that
our members see the checkoff
program as an investment in their
families' future, an investment that
they and their fellow producers have
voluntarily adopted. We support
these programs and look forward to
working with you to ensure their
continued success.
ASI Comments on Traceability
The comments, signed by ASI
President Margaret Soulen Hinson,
state, "ASI has long supported the
concept of a national animal disease
traceability program and appreciates
USDA's efforts to seek advice and
ideas from stakeholders prior to
publishing this proposed regulation.
U.S. sheep producers, in partnership
with state and federal regulatory
authorities and allied industry
groups, implemented an
identification (ID) and traceability
system as a key component of the
National Scrapie Eradication
Program over 10 years ago."
The comments further state, "We
also believe that it will be important
to design traceability performance
standards within a reasonable period
of time. In our experience as
stakeholders in the scrapie ID
program, performance standards are
important to producers and state
regulators in order for them to know
what is expected of them for uniform
compliance."
Shepherd’s News Page 10
W H I T E P A P E R A D D R E S S E S U S E O F A N T I B I O T I C S I N F O O D A N I M A L S
Antibiotic use in food-animal
production is the focus of a white
paper recently released by the
National Institute for Animal
Agriculture (NIAA). The paper is a
summary of science-based
information delivered by the 13
human health and animal health
speakers and participants at the
"Antibiotic Use in Food Animals: A
Dialogue for Common Purpose"
symposium in Chicago, Oct. 26-27.
The white paper provides science-
based information regarding the use
of antibiotics in food-animal
production, human health
implications relative to antibiotic use
and methicillin-resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) in
livestock. A significant portion of the
paper addresses the controversial
topic of antimicrobial resistance.
Citing that antimicrobial resistance is
not a black-and-white issue, the
paper notes that "the ultimate priority
about antibiotic use going forward is
the development of well-established,
science-based criterion in the
regulatory decision-making process."
The message to the livestock and
poultry industries is plain and simple:
Remain focused on disease
prevention and continual
improvement of good animal
husbandry practices.
Individuals can access the white
paper, as well as the symposium
speakers' PowerPoint presentations
with synchronized audio, online at
www.animalagriculture.org. The white
paper can also be obtained by calling
NIAA at (719) 538-8843.
S L A U G H T E R R E N E W S C A L L F O R F E D E R A L A C T I O N O N A N T I B I O T I C U S E I N L I V E S T O C K
Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.) has
once again called for swift action to
end the non-therapeutic use of
antibiotics in livestock production.
The move by Slaughter, a ranking
member of the House Rules
Committee and the only
microbiologist in Congress, follows a
recent incident where 14 people
across the northeastern U.S. were
infected with an antibiotic-resistant
strain of Salmonella, prompting a
recall of ground beef by Hannaford, a
grocery chain based in Maine.
Salmonella typhimurium, is
resistant to multiple antibiotics
important for human health.
Rep. Slaughter is the author of the
Preservation of Antibiotics for
Medical Treatment Act, that would
phase out the non-therapeutic use in
livestock of medically important
antibiotics, including those which the
outbreak strain of Salmonella
typhimurium is resistant to.
The livestock and meat industry
have long maintained there is no
conclusive evidence linking antibiotic
use in livestock with antibiotic
resistance in humans.
[Ed. Note: Denmark banned sub-
therapeutic anti-biotic use in
livestock and the result has been: 1)
more total use of antibiotics, 2) no
benefit to human health, and 3)
fewer livestock farms.]
S H E E P M A N A G E M E N T F R O M T H E C O M F O R T O F Y O U R O W N H O M E
The Pipestone Lamb and Wool
Program offers online courses so
sheep enthusiasts can keep current
in the comfort of their own home.
The most popular course is Intro to
Sheep Management. This course
provides an overview of year long
sheep management. The course
also studies the philosophy of sheep
management and its relationship to
business goals. This course is a 14
lesson self-paced course with
continuous enrollment. This is a one
credit course that has no text book
required. The 14 lesson topics
include: Getting Started in the Sheep
Business; Your Ewes, Your Rams
and Their Health ; Breeding
Strategies; Lamb Feeding; Facilities
and Equipment; Ewe Flock
Economics; Wool; Pre-Lambing
Management; Lambing Time
Management, Difficult Births, Baby
Lamb Health; Orphan or Bonus
Lambs, Grafting; Creeps and Creep
Feeding; Weaning and Weaning
Methods; Fitting and Showing
Sheep; Raising Versus Buying
Replacement Ewes. This course is
offered online or through the mail.
Other online course offerings
include: Equipment and Facilities
(LWMP 1202); Introduction to Sheep
Health (LWMP 1300); Ewe Ration
Formulation (LWMP 1502); and Wool
Characteristics and Properties
(LWMP 1701)
The Pipestone Lamb and Wool
Program is a sheep management
education/consulting program
offered by Minnesota West
Community and Technical College
located at Pipestone. The purpose of
the program is to help sheep
producers increase profit through the
production of quality lamb and wool.
To maximize the profit per ewe and
realize the full potential of all sheep
through use of modern management
practices, new technologies and new
approaches to marketing .
For more information visit the
Pipestone Lamb and Wool Program
web page www.pipestonesheep.com
or contact one of the Lamb and Wool
instructors, Philip Berg, philip.berg
@mnwest.edu , (507) 825-6799 or
Mike Caskey, mike.caskey@
mnwest.edu, (507) 825-6808. To
register for one of the on-line courses
contact Sue Lovell (507) 847-7929,
Shepherd’s News Page 11
C O M M E N TA RY : T H E U LT I M AT E AC T I V I S T I RO N Y
If they plan like terrorists, talk
like terrorists and act like terrorists—
shouldn’t they be treated like
terrorists? Yet animal activists want
to have their civil rights, and flaunt
them, too.
The FBI Joint Terrorism Task
Force has kept files on activists who
expose animal welfare abuses on
factory farms and recommended
prosecuting them as terrorists,
according to a new document
uncovered through the Freedom of
Information Act request.
Earlier this month, the Center for
Constitutional Rights filed suit
challenging the Animal Enterprise
Terrorism Act, which allows
prosecution of activists who trespass
on and vandalize meat plants and
livestock facilities as terrorists, as
unconstitutional. Why? Because its
“vague wording” has had a chilling
effect on political activism. At least
that’s the view of the animal rights
activists and factory farm opponents.
Since 2003, four years before
the AETA was passed, the FBI had
kept files detailing the activities of
several animal rights activists who
went undercover to document
alleged animal welfare violations.
According to a report by
OpEdNews.com, the FBI special
agent who authored the report said
they “illegally entered buildings”
owned by a producer, videotaped the
premises and removed several
animals from the farm.
That action caused “economic
loss” to the businesses, the FBI said.
The apologists within the animal
rights community tried to paint such
violations as “acts of non-violent civil
disobedience,” since the
perpetrators distributed press
releases and conducted media
interviews taking responsibility for
their actions.
Now, they’re outraged that the
FBI has files on those who would
commit such actions. “It is deeply
sobering to see one’s name in an FBI
file proposing terrorism charges,”
Ryan Shapiro, one of the activists
charged with trespassing and
unauthorized videotaping, said in an
email to officials at the Center for
Constitutional Rights. “It is even
more sobering to realize the
supposedly terroristic activities in
question are merely exposing the
horrific cruelty of factory farms,
educating the public about what goes
on behind those closed doors, and
openly rescuing a few animals from
one of those farms as an act of civil
disobedience.”
Rescue or theft? One man’s
liberation is another man’s loss of
property. Whatever label you wish to
use, the point here is inescapable:
The supposedly non-violent actions
that opponents of animal agriculture
take in capturing and removing farm
animals is a violation of the law.
Always has been. All that the Animal
Enterprise Terrorism Act does is
allow prosecution of the offenders as
terrorists, instead of as thieves.
It’s no different from passing
laws authorizing special punishment
for so-called “hate crimes.” It’s
always been possible to punish those
who burn crosses, deface houses or
otherwise harass people on the basis
of race, religion or sexual orientation.
But often, the small fines and
minimal jail terms prescribed by
trespassing and property damage
statutes don’t fit the egregious
nature of the offenses. Thus, it’s
necessary to identify special
circumstances that change what
would normally be mere
misdemeanors into the more serious
crimes that they are.
Likewise with acts of property
damage, trespassing and animal
theft done in the name of “exposing”
the conditions on so-called factory
farms. The perpetrators want—
indeed, desperately desire—that their
actions will strike fear in the hearts
of the owners of farms, ranches and
meat plants. They wouldn’t want to
merely be hauled into some
municipal court and fined as if they’d
received a traffic ticket for driving 35
in a 25 mph zone.
They want their crimes to seem
sensational. They want the media to
portray them as fanatical terrorists
willing to do anything to change what
they hope the public would agree is a
horrific system of food production.
Indeed, that’s how the activists
characterize themselves: As
crusaders committed to do
“whatever it takes” to destroy
modern animal agriculture.
So the notion that these same
activists are outraged when the FBI
starts treating them exactly as they
secretly (and not-so-secretly) wish to
be portrayed is ironic in the extreme.
They boast about how they will “take
down” an evil system that exploits
animals. They glory in the “bravery”
of those who go underground and
steal, vandalize and disrupt
operations at packing plants and
livestock facilities in order to stop the
abuses they decry.
Then they turn around and file
suit when laws designed to deal with
the very lawlessness they espouse
are used against them. That’s the
real outrage in this whole scenario.
The opinions expressed in this
commentary are solely those of Dan
Murphy, a veteran food-industry
journalist and commentator.
Shepherd’s News Page 12
F A R I BAU LT B L A N K E T M I L L R E V I VA L R E S T O R E S US J O B S - F R O M N B C N I G H T LY N E W S
The Faribault Woolen Mills is
weaving its way back from oblivion
one thread and one American
employee at a time.
In 1852, Alexander Faribault
founded the Minnesota town bearing
his name. Thirteen years later, the
Faribault Woolen Mills opened for
business, shipping its products all
over the world.
As it blanketed the global
marketplace, the factory wove itself
into the community — until 2009,
that is, when it literally stopped mid-
stitch, bankrupted by poor
management and a weak economy.
"When they shut the doors here, I
was devastated," said 31-year old
Jenny Jones, who helped make
blankets there for four years until the
plant closed. "To drive by here and
see this beautiful place closed, it was
so hard for me. "This place means so
much; not just to me, but to the
community."
The building sat untouched for
nearly two years. If you snuck in,
you'd see wool still sitting in bins.
Blankets were left, half-made.
Over time, several interested
parties toured the facility, but no
buyers. Ultimately, a company
operating out of Pakistan offered to
buy the equipment.
Everything was labeled and
tagged for shipment. Then something
unbelievable happened. 'You could
say it was stupidity' Two men in this
quiet community of 23,000 people
decided to roll the entrepreneurial
dice. Cousins Chuck and Paul Mooty
decided to buy it all, from the aging
equipment to the formerly global
brand.
"The only thing that worked in
here were some of the lights," said
Paul Mooty, a lawyer who ran
another business for the better part
of a decade before taking over the
woolen mill. At first blush, it didn't
appear to be a very good idea.
"For the baseline story, I guess
you could say it was stupidity," said
Chuck Mooty, who was a retired
executive at Dairy Queen.
Both men were successful, and
neither needed the money, so why
risk family money on a rusty old
company that hadn't registered a
sale in two years?
"We were both ready for a new
challenge," Chuck Mooty said. "It's
about bringing jobs back. It's about
bringing opportunities back to a
number of people. And so it has that
community piece. "It also has that
business piece of competition, of
how do we take a neat nostalgic
brand and hopefully try to create it to
be relevant in today's world?"
Faribault Woolen Mills now has
35 employees, most of whom worked
there before the company was
shuttered in 2009. The Mooty
cousins told NBC that although
they're not yet profitable, they are
fully funded. In addition, they expect
the number of employees to rise to
50 by year's end and double that in
2012.
The impact has already been
monumental for the community.
"When I got the call, I was
excited. I was jumping around," said
Jones, who had gone back to school
to earn her teaching degree. She
dropped that plan the moment an
opening became available at the mill.
"I love getting up every day coming in
here. "It's great having a job again."
The Mooty family is banking on
the Faribault Woolen Mills brand and
its intrinsic value. It has a 145-year
old history and has warmed an
incredible range of people — from
soldiers in World War I to passengers
on airplanes.
Chuck and Paul Mooty also think
the return of manufacturing jobs to
the Minnesota community could be
repeated in other parts of the
country.
"People are a little tired of
hearing, 'We can't do it,'" Paul Mooty
said. "We can do it. We're going to do
it here. And I think that message can
hopefully carry over to other
industries and get back to
manufacturing here (in the U.S.)."
M LW PA J U N I O R A C T I V I T I E S - K E L LY F R O E H L I C H
The Minnesota lamb and wool junior association is off to a good start this year planning promotional events for
the coming year. The following events are being planned for this coming spring:
FFA booth; Shepherd’s Harvest Festival; University of Minnesota Agriculture Awareness Day ; Spring Sheep
Workshop.
The junior association is open to any youth interested in promoting the sheep industry. If any youth member
(21 or under) is interested in being a part of the activities and planning, please contact Kelly Froehlich at
[email protected]. Youth members helping at events will receive a free Minnesota Lamb & Wool Junior
Association t-shirt.
Shepherd’s News Page 13
A N I M A L AG C OA L I T I O N G E T S F U N D I N G T O F I G H T HSUS
The Nebraska Attorney General’s
Supplemental Environmental Project
Fund is allocating $100,000 to a
new coalition of agricultural
organizations formed in light of an
animal rights group’s increased
efforts in that state.
We Support Agriculture was
launched by five groups — Nebraska
Cattlemen, Nebraska Farm Bureau,
Nebraska Poultry Industries,
Nebraska Pork Producers and the
Nebraska State Dairy Association —
in September to fight advances by
the Humane Society of the United
States (HSUS) directed at the
agriculture industry.
“In Nebraska, agriculture is more
than a resource — it’s a way of life,”
said Attorney General Jon Bruning in
a press release. “I’m proud to
support efforts to protect the
cornerstone of our state economy
from the actions of extremist groups
like the Humane Society of the
United States.”
The $100,000 is funded by fines
and payments from natural resource-
related legal settlements. When the
Attorney General’s Office settles an
enforcement case, companies are
required to clean up the mess, pay
appropriate fines and may agree to
fund a court-approved Supplemental
Environmental Project.
But it may not go far in light of
HSUS’s massive legal fund.
According to the HSUS 2010
federal tax return, it dedicated more
than $48 million to its Advocacy and
Public Policy program, which funds
the organization’s Animal Protection
Litigation Program. The program
employs 13 attorneys in four cities
and oversees more than 1,000 pro-
bono attorneys currently involved in
nearly 60 ongoing cases.
Still, We Support Agriculture is
readying itself for ballot initiatives
similar to those in nearly half a dozen
other states designed to limit or ban
animal agriculture industries. In July
the United Egg Producers and HSUS
agreed to work together to enact
federal legislation that would set new
standards for housing egg-laying
hens and mandate labeling to
describe production methods.
That has concerned the National
Pork Producers Council, which has
said that similar moves in the meat
and poultry industries may set a
precedent for allowing the federal
government to dictate how livestock
and poultry producers raise and care
for their animals.
N E W Z E A L A N D D OW N T O 31 M I L L I O N S H E E P
New Zealand is down to just 31 million sheep. From
a peak of more than twice that in the early 1980s, the
number has fallen another 1.4 million on last year.
The number of dairy cattle was up, however, to 6.2
million, 4-percent higher than 2010. The dairy herd is
now double the number it was 30 years ago.
The statistics department also said the amount of
land planted in grapes has increased, up 3 percent
between 2009 and this year and another 7,000
hectares of forest was planted.
R E S E A R C H S Y M P O S I U M AT AS I C O N V E N T I O N
The ASI in conjunction with the
American Sheep and Goat Center
(ASGC) will be hosting a research
symposium entitled "Utilization of
Genomic Information for the Sheep
Industry."
Presentations and discussion will
focus on global sheep initiatives, the
current status of genomic
information available to the sheep
industry, the application of genomic
information in quantitative
performance evaluation (e.g.,
National Sheep Improvement
Program/LambPlan) and examples of
utilization of genomic information
including extension and producer
perspectives.
The format will be different than
many other symposia in that the
presentations will be brief allowing
sufficient time for discussion and
questions among speakers and
symposium participants about this
important and timely topic.
Scheduled speakers include
Noelle Cockett, Ph.D., Utah State
University; David Notter, Ph.D.,
Virginia Tech University; David
Thomas, Ph.D., University of
Wisconsin; Chase Hibbard, Helena,
Mont.; and John Helle, Dillon, Mont.,
with moderator, Larry Miller.
Shepherd’s News Page 14
2011 S H E P H E R D ’ S H O L I DAY P H O T O H I G H L I G H T S
Shepherd’s News Page 15
2012 Date Title Location Contact
Feb. 18 Sheep Ultra-Sound Clinic McIntosh, MN Jim Stordahl [email protected]
Mar. 10-11 Cornell Sheep Shearing School Harford, NY Doug Rathke 320-587-6094
Mar. 14 Missouri Sheep Shearing School Jefferson City, MO Vonna Kesel 573- 681-5312
Mar. 16-21 Montana Sheep Shearing School Norris, MT Peggy Kelley [email protected]
Mar. 17 ISBA Shearing School ___, WI Duane Klindwortth 715-286-4157
_____ Spring Sheep Workshop Fertile, MN Jim Stordahl [email protected]
Apr. 27-28 National Corn Belt Sale Des Moines, IA
Apr. 30-May 1 MN Suffolk on-line sale on-line Jeremy Geske [email protected]
Apr. 30 - May 2 ASI Spring Legislative Trip Washington, D.C. John Dvorak [email protected]
May 10-12 Big Ohio Sale / Ohio Suffolk Sale Eaton Ohio
May 12-13 Shepherd’s Harvest Festival Lake Elmo, MN Julie Mackenzie (612) 961-9625
May 31-Jun 2 Nugget All American Sheep Sale Reno, NV
June 1 MLWPA Starter Flock application deadline Kirk Roe [email protected]
June 25-30 Midwest Stud Ram Sale/Nat. Suffolk Sale Sedalia, MO
July 5-8 National Junior Suffolk Show Brookings, SD Taylor Peck [email protected]
July 6-8 All American Junior Sheep Show Des Moines, IA www.countrylovin/AAJSS/
July 21 MN Suffolk Sheep Assoc. State Show Faribault, MN Jeremy Geske [email protected]
July 22 MN Suffolk Sheep Assoc State Jr. Show Faribault, MN Sara Saul [email protected]
Sept. 20-21 Newell Ram Sale Newell, SD
Sept ? Fall Sheep Workshop _____, MN John Dvorak [email protected]
Dec. 1 MLWP Shepherd’s Holiday Mankato, MN Jeremy Geske [email protected]
Have an item for the calendar—email it to Jeremy .
c/o Jeremy Geske
31307 171st Ave
New Prague, MN 56071
Phone: 612-756-1200
E-mail: [email protected]
Have an idea for the newsletter? Send it to: Jeremy Geske - editor
31307 171st Ave
New Prague, MN 56071
www.mlwp.org
MLWP Board of Directors President - Kirk Roe [email protected] 507-526-5845 1st Vice President - John Dvorak [email protected] 952-652-2402 2nd V.P. - Melanie Pamp [email protected] 507-629-4444 Secretary - Jeremy Geske - [email protected] Treasurer - Glenette Sperry [email protected] NE Dir. - Steve Froehlich [email protected] 320-396-3135 NW Dir. - Karen Stormo [email protected] - 218-776-2223
SE Dir. - Steve Scheffert [email protected] 507-835-3951 SW Dir. - Mike Haubrich [email protected] 320-826-2526 WC Dir. - Randy Kinney [email protected] 320-554-6495 ME Dir. - Mary Radermacher 320-963-6592 Past Presidents: Dan Persons - [email protected] Don Adelmann 952-466-2451