News

National Junior Sheep Shearing Contest

Nick Weaver of Fremont, Michigan was the first place winner in the National Junior Sheep Shearing Contest held January 12, 2008 in Denver, Colorado. Isaac Matchett of Charlevoix was fifth and Justin Hoolsema of Rudyard was sixth. The contestants had to be between 16 and 20 years old.

 

MSBA Trip to Pipestone, Minnesota

Here is Your Chance to go to Pipestone!!

September 10 -14, 2008

Travel in comfort on a luxury tour bus from Hartzler's.

Cost: $200 per person for bus fare
Motel arrangements are made on your own, but plan on $72 per night at Calumet Inn- nights en route will be about $60 per night (total about $260 - $300 per couple)

Tentative Itinerary:

Wednesday Sept 10: 6 am Leave Lansing
2 pm Tour Premier Sheep Supply, Washington, Iowa
6 pm Stay night in Iowa City motel

Thursday Sept 11: 8 am Leave Iowa City
2 pm Tour Faribault Woolen Mill, Faribault, WI
8 pm Stay in historic Calumet Inn, Pipestone, MN

Friday Sept 12: 9 am Farm Tours in Pipestone area
2 pm tour Pipestone Veterinary Clinic & Vet Supply
6 pm Night on your own, Pipestone

Saturday Sept 13: 8 am Farm Tour
10 am Farm Tour
7 pm Stay night near Madison, WI

Sunday Sept 14: 9 am Leave motel for Michigan
2 pm Arrive in Lansing

Click here for a printable copy of the itinerary and reservation form.

Use PayPal to make a $200 deposit for the trip

The Pipestone Sheep Project

If you're not familiar with The Pipestone Sheep Project in Minnesota - It's all about sheep and sheep production and innovative sheep handling.
"The purpose of the program is to help sheep producers increase income and 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 of both lamb and wool."
Visit www.pipestonesheep.com

Power Point presentation of the Pipestone trip

2008 Shepherds Weekend

The 2008 Shepherds Weekend held in Lansing on January 5 & 6 was another great success. Attendance at the educational sessions, banquet and trade show was outstanding. Some of the awards presented are:

Purebred Breeder of the Year

Harvey Warrick of Adrian was named the Purebred Breeder of the Year. He raises Suffolk and Lincoln seed stock.

Harvey and Rosie Warrick

Commercial Producer of the Year

Don & Janice Williams and family were awarded the Commercial Producer of the Year Award. Their operation is located near Bellevue.

Don and Janice Williams

Service to the Industry Award

Duane Tirrell was posthumously designated as the recipient of the Service to the Industry Award. He was formerly the Executive Secretary of the MSBA and a sheep producer near Charlotte.

This sign was presented to the Tirrell Family in recognition of the Service to the Industry Award. Jim Bischoff and Dick Pedersen made the sign for the MSBA presentation

Special Recognition

Dr. Joe Rook was recognized for his thirty years of dedication to the sheep industry in Michigan. He retired from the College of Veterinary Medicine at Michigan State University earlier this year.

Joe Rook with his recognition gift.

ASI Call for Action

The American Sheep Industry Association is urging sheep producers to contact the EPA and object to a PETA petition to make the use of M-44 sodium cyanide capsules and Compound 1080 illegal to use against sheep predators. Even though few producers in Michigan use these tools, it is important that the EPA hear from as many individuals as possible to counter the influence of groups such as PETA.

Comments can be submitted by going to:
http://www.regulations.gov/fdmspublic/component/main?main=DocumentDetail&d=EPA-HQ-OPP-2007-0944-0010

New Board Members

The following individuals were elected to the MSBA Board of Directors at the 2008 MSBA Annual Meeting: Pat Henne, Doug Hoolsema, Brenda Reau, Terry Renn & Doug Uzelac

2008 Michigan Sheep Breeders Scholarship

MSBA members and their families are eligible to apply for a $500 scholarship paid in August of 2008. An application can be obtained from Brenda Reau at rsuffolk@cass.net

Applicant requirements:

Applicant may be a high school senior who has been accepted as a full time student at a college or university.
Applicant may be a full time freshman, sophomore or junior at a college or university.
Applicant or their parents must have been a member of the MSBA for at least the past three years.
Applicant may receive the scholarship only once.
Applicant may apply for the scholarship as many years as they meet the requirements.
*An additional requirement to be eligible for the George Buckham Memborial Scholarship is that the student must attend Michigan State University

News Groups Established

Two Michigan sheep news groups have been established. One is: MISheepBreeders. It can be accessed at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MISheepBreeders

The other one is: MISheep. It can be accessed at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/misheep

Harold Henneman Research Fund

Click here for details