Two 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 Ramada Inn in Bismarck, December 5. The banquet and awards presentation were a part of the third 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.
1982
Master Purebred Sheep Producer
Fred Eagleson
Buchanan
Fred Eagleson of Buchanan is North Dakota's 1982 Master Purebred Sheep Producer. Eagleson's flock consists of 275 Columbia breeding ewes. He started in the purebred Columbia business 27 years ago as a youngster. Today, 65% of his farm income is derived from the sheep.
Lambing occurs at two different times on the Eagleson farm. One group of ewes start lambing in January and the other in April. His lambing percent this last year was 142% for the January group and 168% for the April group. The average annual wool clip on the farm is 12 pounds per ewe.
Home grown feeds are utilized in the feeding program. Alfalfa, oats and barley are the main ration ingredients. Eagleson's philosophy on feeding is "all breeding sheep are fed growth rations that will allow maximum productivity but not impair future usefulness".
Eagleson's selection program is based on production records. An individual production record is maintained on each ewe. He believes in progress through genetic turnover and in replacing a ewe with a daughter better than she is or in culling her for not having produced such a replacement.
Each ram lamb is weighed at 120 days of age, grown for 200 days and then weighed again. Fleece weight is also recorded. The ram is then indexed using the growth rate and fleece weight. By providing customers these records on all his yearling rams, Eagleson has developed a large percentage of repeat customers each year.
Eagleson promotes his Columbia flock through NDLWPA sales, state fairs, and the National Columbia Show and Sale. He also holds an annual production sale in Carrington.
Eagleson serves as the official North Dakota delegate to the American Sheep Producers Council. He is a member of the NDLWPA, the Stutsman County and an assessor for Fried township. He serves as Parish Council President and trustee for Sacred Heart Catholic Church and is a 4-H leader.
Eagleson and his wife, Kay, have two sons (Mark and Tom).
1982
Master Commercial Sheep Producer
Gerhard Reichenbach
Fairview, Mt
Gerhard Reichenbach of Fairview (Mt) is North Dakota's 1982 Master Commercial Sheep Producer. The Reichenbach operation, located in McKenzie County, consists of over 400 ewes plus sugarbeet and alfalfa production. Sheep have been a part of his farming operation for 17 years and at present make up about 50% of the farm income.
Utilization of crop aftermath, low cost facilities and common sheep sense are keys to Reichenbach's success.
Ewes are pastured from weaning time (middle of May) until fall using a pasture rotation system. During the fall, ewes are grazed on beet tops as long as possible. Winter feed consists of alfalfa and oats.
Lambing begins in February and is done in an open sided shed enclosed with clear plastic. Reichenbach's lambing percentage in 1981 was 145% with each ewe shearing about 12.5 pounds of wool.
Lambs are dry lotted following weaning and sold as heavy feeders between 90 and 100 pounds.
Reichenbach's management of pasture and feed has made his operation very cost efficient. To people thinking about starting in sheep, he gives the following advice. "Start small and build your operation as you become comfortable and familiar with it."
Reichenbach is a member of the NDLWPA, the Mon-Dak Sheep Assn, and the National Targhee Assn. He serves on the church council, East Fairview PTO and ASCS county committee. He is a county director of 4-H and a Jaycee. He participates in men's basketball during the winter.
Reichenbach and his wife, Bev, have three daughters (Lori, Lynda, and Brenda) and one son (Bret).