Three North Dakota sheep producers were presented "Master Sheep Producer" awards at the annual banquet of the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association at the Seven Seas Motel in Mandan on December 1. The banquet and awards presentation were a part of the first annual North Dakota Sheep Convention.
Each producer was recognized for his excellence and efficiency in sheep production. The awards are sponsored by the Production Credit Association of North Dakota, the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association and the North Dakota Cooperative Extension Service.
1980
Master Purebred Sheep Producer
James E. Marshall
Oriska
James E. Marshall of Oriska is North Dakota's 1980 Master Purebred Sheep Producer. Marshall's flock consists of about 120 Columbia and 30 Hampshire ewes. The Columbia flock is one of the oldest in North Dakota, dating back to 1943. Besides sheep, the Marshall operation includes 50 brood cows and 2,200 acres of farmland in Barnes County.
Average lambing percent is 165 on the Marshall farm with lambing occurring in January thru March. A 46' x 80' barn with supplemental heat is used for lambing. Ewes are sheared prior to lambing and remain in the barn throughout the lambing period.
The feeding program consists mainly of home grown feeds such as alfalfa hay, oats, corn and screenings. A routine health care program including an excellent vaccination schedule are keys to Marshall's success.
The pride of the Marshall's sheep farm is the registered Columbia flock. His Columbia's are nationally known and in 1977, Marshall was named "National Sheepman of the Year" by the Columbia Sheep Breeders of America. To Columbia sheep people in the United States, Jim is "Mr. North Dakota".
Marshall is a member of the NDLWPA, the Dakota-Minnesota Columbia Sheep Association, the Barnes County Crop and Livestock Organization and the Barnes County Farm Bureau. He is a sheep representative on the Livestock Advisory Committee to the North Dakota Winter Shows, a director and past president of the National Columbia Sheep Breeders Association of America and has been a 4-H leader for 23 years. He serves on the Oriska School Board and is a trustee for Salem United Methodist Church.
Marshall and his wife, Leona, have 5 sons (Jim, Lee, Jay, Bob and Curt) and 1 daughter (Janice).
1980
Master Commercial Sheep Producer
Donald Ulfers
Beach
Donald Ulfers of Beach is North Dakota's 1980 Master Commercial Sheep Producer. The Ulfers operation, located in Golden Valley County, consists of 200 commercial ewes, plus grain farming. Sheep have been a part of his operation since 1954 and are the only livestock on the farm. One-third of his farm income is derived from sheep.
Excellent facilities, top management and 25 years of experience are keys to Ulfer's success. A 50' x 108' clear span insulated barn is used during the lambing season which begins in February. The barn is temperature controlled and maintained at 50 degrees.
Ewes are sheared about ten days prior to lambing, placed in the barn and remain inside through the lambing period. Ewes are penned in groups of 12. Water is supplied through a plastic line with attached floats for each pen. Alfalfa hay plus grain is hand fed during the lambing season.
Close surveillance of the ewes during lambing is maintained by Ulfer's and his wife. Ewes are checked every two hours. An orphan lamb pen is maintained with lamb and milk replacer and lamb creep pellets provided for the lambs. Ulfer's death loss is around 5%. In 1979, he weaned 330 lambs off of 200 ewes.
Ulfer's ewe flock is primarily made up of Columbia breeding. His fleece weight average is 14.5 lbs. He maintains a closed flock with about 50 ewe lambs saved back each year for replacements. These ewe lambs are exposed as lambs and about 40% conceive.
Ulfers is a member of the Elks and the Montana-North Dakota Wool Growers Association.
He and his wife, Helen, have a son (Jim) and 3 daughters (Judy, Jeanne and Jeanette).
1980
Master Lamb Feeder
Richard Pfliger
Bismarck
Richard Pfliger of Bismarck is North Dakota's 1980 Master Lamb Feeder. Pfliger annually feeds out about 600-700 lambs but has fed out up to 2,000 head. He's been in the lamb feeding business for 11 years. Besides feeding lambs, Pfliger runs 120 commercial ewes, a small registered Hampshire flock and put in some small grains on his Burleigh County farm.
Pfliger purchases heavy feeder lambs in the 80-85 pound weight range in September and October. These are obtained locally or out of West Fargo.
Minimal investment in facilities, good management practices and the use of the most economical feeds are keys to Pfliger's success.
Lambs are vaccinated for overeating and blackleg upon arrival. They are sheared a week to ten days later. Smaller lambs are placed in a separate lot.
Pfliger starts lambs on oats and hay and has successfully switched them onto full feed within a week. A free choice mineral mixture is provided at all times.
Feedstuffs used in his finishing rations are based on which ones can be grown and used most economically. Corn or barley are normally fed, however, wheat has been used when the price was right. Pfliger indicates he never uses over 50% barley in any of his rations.
Last year, Pfliger put on a pound of gain for 14-15 cents using the most economical feeds available.
Pfliger serves as President of the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association, supervisor for Federal Crop Insurance and a board of director for Farmers Union. He's a member of the Missouri Slope Wool Pool, the Burleigh County Ag Improvement Association and a 4-H leader.
Pfliger and his wife, Pat, have two sons (Burton and John) and three daughters (Gwen, Paula and Mindy Jo).