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misheep.org

Photos and Videos

Videos:

National Geographic video about veterinarian, Dr Jan Pol, taking blood samples at a Michigan Farm.

A description of Dr Jan Pol veterinary practice.

 

 

The scrapie requirements for legally marketing sheep in Michigan. Click here


 

Tony Troendle wins Contest

West Branch, Mich. – The fifth Ogemaw County FFA Sheep Shearing Contest was held August 19, 2011 at the Ogemaw County Fair. 16 professional shearers and one junior shearer competed for jackpot prizes and five titles: Top Overall Shearer, Best Shorn Pen, Fastest Time, Best Michigan Shearer and Top Junior Shearer.
Tony Troendle of Rapid City, South Dakota, traveled to the contest to defend his 2010 title – with great success. He earned the Top Overall Shearer and Fastest Time awards for the second year in a row.
The Best Shorn Pen title was won by Alex Moser of Lester, Iowa, who has been shearing for 16 years and is the vice-president of the American Sheep Shearers Council. The Best Shorn Pen is calculated by board score (second strokes during shearing) and shearing cleanliness (smoothness and lack of cuts).
Doug Hoolsema earned the Top Michigan Shearer plaque. Hoolsema resides in Melvin with his wife Bonnie and has been shearing sheep for 45 years.
Noah Matchett of Charlevoix, Michigan, won the Top Junior Shearer title. Matchett enjoys shearing his family’s sheep with his brother Isaac, who competed in the professional contest.
A traveling team award was also presented to the top three shearers of the same state. This year the recipients were Hoolsema, Jim Bristol (West Branch) and Sy Caryl (Davison) of Michigan.
In addition to the professional and junior rounds of sheep shearing, young members of the audience were invited to participate in the “pee-wee” round. Each child partnered with a professional shearer to draw the shearing pattern with chalk on animals already shorn.
The Ogemaw Heights and Whittemore-Prescott FFA chapters would like to express their appreciation for great community support. Sponsors of the contest were Charles Wangler Sales, Doug Hoolsema Shearing, Fernelius Chevrolet, Heiniger Shearing Equipment, Jim Bristol Shearing, Mary Kartes of Farm Bureau Insurance, Michigan Sheep Breeders Association, Michigan Sheep Shearers Association, Mid-States Wool Growers, Miller Construction and Equipment, Miller Feed Inc., Ogemaw Agricultural Society, Ogemaw Veterinary Clinic, Roger Noble of Farm Bureau Insurance, Team Hodges, West Branch Veterinary Services and Willard’s Equipment.
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For more information about the Ogemaw County FFA Sheep Shearing Contest, contact Elaine Bristol at elainembristol@gmail.com or (989) 329-9551.


2011 Ogemaw FFA Shearing Contest Participants


Carol Densmore demonstrates carding

Photos from the Small Flock meeting at Ugly Dog Farm:

Letty Klein discusses wool qualities

Michigan shepherds and fiber enthusiasts gathered on Saturday June, 4th in Davison, Michigan at Ugly Dog’s Farm for a clinic and potluck lunch sponsored by the MSBA Small Flock Committee. The weather cooperated with sunshine and a beautiful summer breeze which kept everyone comfortable while we ate a great meal showcasing the outstanding culinary talents of our shepherding community… nobody left hungry.

Carol Densmore from Cross Wind Farm gave a great presentation on processing fiber. She brought a wide array of fiber processing tools which she used to demonstrate picking, carding, blending, and various other fiber preparation techniques. Attendees saw clean raw fleece go from “locks of wool” to a product that was ready to spin.

Veterinarian, Dr. Heather Ludlam from Windswept Farms spoke to the group about various sheep health concerns. Dr. Ludlam’s presentation covered a wide range of topics of great interest to sheep producers in Michigan including parasite control, common diseases affecting sheep, and good management techniques to minimize risk of introducing disease into a flock. Attendees enjoyed the opportunity to ask questions to a practicing sheep vet who has the experience of raising her own flock.

Cindy Ciecewa and Margaret Van Camp from Pitchfork Ranch shared the nutrition program they have developed over the years to produce their award winning Romney and Bluefaced Leicester sheep. The “Pitchfork” grain recipes utilize roasted whole soybeans to provide protein and digestible fat at levels higher than can be obtained in soybean meal. They also discussed the importance of mineral supplements and selenium in maintaining good flock health.

Letty Klein from Pine Lane Karakuls discussed “fleece character”. Many attendees brought fleeces which Letty used to demonstrate uniformity, handle (feel of the fleece), strength of the fiber, and many other things she has to take into consideration when she is asked to judge a fleece competition. Shepherds left with great insight on what to consider when presenting a fleece for show or for sale.

In addition to all of the great food, and informative presentations, a local spinning group was on hand to show off their spinning talents and several floor looms owned by Rich Fitz and Wayne Barber of Ugly Dog’s Farm were warped and on display. The farm’s Border Cheviot, Clun Forest, and Merino sheep were grazing in the pastures and entertainment was provided by bouncing lambs and a gregarious peacock who competed for attention with the presenters as he screamed and showed off his beautiful tail feathers.
Article & pictures submitted by Rich Fitz


 

Free MSBA Promotional DVD Available

The Michigan Farm Bureau has produced a DVD for the MSBA to be used for interesting folks in becoming sheep producers. It is free to anyone that would like to use it to promote sheep production. Contact Pat Tirrell for a copy. MSBA members should have a copy so you can contact one of them to show it at appropriate functions. You can use the directory on this website to find members in your area. Click here to view the video on line or view video here:

 

Neil Kentner Sustainable Farm Video

Click here for a video of Neil Kentner's sheep and poultry farm.


Jim Bristol Sheep Farm

Click here for a video produced by the Bristol Family

 

Photos:

 

Photo by Dan Arney

 

Photo by Denise & Ben Bartlett

 

Photo by William Rick


Swihart Farm, Fulton

 

Alice Hostetler, Athens

 

Dairy Sheep
Photo by Pat Tirrell

 

Guard Dog

 

 


Michigan Sheep Breeders Association

C/O Pat Tirrell - 700 Tirrell Rd - Charlotte, MI  48813
517-543-7395 
      tirrellpat@hotmail.com