Two North Dakota sheep couples were presented "Master Sheep Producer" awards at the annual banquet of the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association at the Gladstone Inn in Jamestown, December 6. The banquet and awards presentation were a part of the eighth annual North Dakota Sheep Convention.
Each couple was recognized for their excellence and efficiency in sheep production as well as their contribution to the North Dakota sheep industry. The awards are sponsored by the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association and the North Dakota Cooperative Extension Service.
Vance and Hope Jury
Fullerton
Vance and Hope Jury of Fullerton were one couple honored as North Dakota's 1987 Master Sheep Producers. Their operation, located in Dickey County, consists of 210 ewes plus small grain production. Seventeen years ago sheep became a part of their farming operation. Vance also had sheep as a part of his 4-H club work for eight years.
Timely care and management of the sheep flock, utilization of production records and foresight in facility plans and utilization of those buildings are keys to the Jury's success. A fellow producer made these comments on the Jury operation: Vance is a farm flock operator who makes 95% of his decisions on the grounds that it will make money or save time or money. He cares for the flock in a timely manner by anticipating their needs.
Ewes are pastured from May until the middle of November and then drylotted. All lambs are raised in drylot. Alfalfa hay, native hay, oats and corn are the primary feeds used. All are raised on the farm. A mixer-mill is used to prepare all grain mixes.
Lambing begins the end of January and is completed in early March. Lambing rate was 170% in 1986 with a death loss of only 3%. That's what timely care and management can do. Hope is an integral part of the sheep operation and her medical training comes in handy at lambing time. Ninety nine percent of the 210 ewes exposed had lambs and that included 26 out of 27 ewe lambs. Average pounds of wool per ewe in 1986 was 12.5.
Lambs are drylotted following weaning and sold through the tele-auction in Valley City. Vance strives to market lambs when ready and not over fat. Jurys have established a reputation for selling choice lambs.
The Jurys have been very involved in promoting their lamb and wool as well as serving in different capacities in the sheep association. They were responsible for a wool growers booth at their county fair. Hope served as chairperson for the 1984 "State Make It Yourself With Wool" contest in Minot. Vance has been secretary of the NDLWPA and at present is a SE director. He is President of the ND Sheep Council. Vance is also a school board member and officer; a 4-H leader; county Farm Bureau director and president; township supervisor and officer and a member of the Fullerton Centennial Committee.
The Jury's have a daughter, Barbara, and a son, Russell.
Steve and Joy Kitzan
Richardton
Steve and Joy Kitzan of Richardton were also honored as North Dakota's 1987 Master Sheep Producers. The Kitzan flock consists of 170 Columbia ewes. Steve started in the purebred Columbia business 14 years ago. Today, 75% of the Kitzan farm income is derived from the sheep.
A combination of sheep sense, promotional expertise and a strong desire to raise the most productive Columbias possible are the Kitzans keys to success. As a fellow purebred producer put it, Kitzans operate a very neat and efficient purebred Columbia breeding unit. The quality of the sheep they produce, as well as the professional manner in which they are managed and marketed will earn them a prominent place in the purebred sheep industry.
Lambing occurs in the winter (January-March) with a lambing rate of about 170%. Ewe lambs are exposed with a 95% plus conception rate. Shearing is done in early winter. In 1985, a 13.7 lb average was realized on a 11 month clip.
Records are an integral part of the operation and used extensively in selection. Lambs are weighed at birth and weaning and ram lambs are put on a 50-day gain test. Yearling weights are also recorded on all rams.
Ewes are run on pasture through the summer months and are fed a mixture of alfalfa and sudan grass (chopped together) during the winter months. Lambs are in drylot at all times except for ewe lambs which are run on pasture from August I until freeze-up and are then put in confinement along with the rest of the ewes.
Lambs are put on creep feed at about three days of age and are fed on oats, corn, soybean meal and molasses. These are rolled together and blended.
Promotion is the name of the game in the Kitzan operation. They promote through exhibiting at fairs and shows locally and nationally plus they advertise in National magazines. They also consign to association sales both at the State and National level. They feel that through these activities, they are getting producers introduced to the genetic and production capabilities of their Columbias.
The Kitzans are trying to raise sheep that can compete at the National level and are also productive sheep for the commercial operator.