A North Dakota couple and two brothers were presented "Master Sheep Producer" awards at the annual banquet of the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers Association at the International Inn in Minot, December 5. The banquet and awards presentation were a part of the ninth annual North Dakota Sheep Convention.
Each 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.
Joel and Betty Hamar
Ellendale
Joel and Betty Hamar of Ellendale were the couple honored as North Dakota's 1988 Master Sheep producers. The Hamar operation, located in Dickey County, consists of 200 ewes plus grain production. Sheep have been a part of the farming operation for 10 years.
Utilization of effective and timely production practices throughout the year are keys to the Hamar's success. They do things at "the right time for the right reasons.'' Sheep practices are done first rather than when time allows. In 1987 they sold a 200% lamb crop off of their commercial ewes (117), a 186% lamb crop off of their purebred Targhee ewes (58) and a 100% lamb crop off of their ewe lambs (35). That in itself speaks to their timely management practices.
Ewes run on native grass during the summer and two weeks prior to breeding are flushed on rape and sudan grass pasture. The Hamar's feel that the rape and sudan grass pasture contributed to their increased lamb drop in 1987. They had 51 sets of triplets and 1 set of quads.
Lambing occurs during the winter months and a barn with an insulated lean-to is used. Lambs are weaned at 5-7 weeks of age and kept inside the facility until marketed. They are fed an 18% creep to begin with and switched to a complete 15% pelleted ration until marketed. Lambs are marketed through the tele-auction in Valley City.
Health practices both for ewes and lambs are done throughout the year. A heated room in the lambing facility serves as area where all supplies, vaccines, etc. can be kept plus administered when needed. Hamar's have had success using a tranquilizer on ewes when grafting lambs.
Production records are kept on all ewes. Lambs weights are recorded at weaning, 60, 90, and 120 days of age. Replacement ewe lambs are selected between 60 and 90 days. Only multiple births are kept. During lambing, problem ewes are recorded and culled in the fall. Wool weights are also kept on all ewes. In 1987, their ewes sheared an average of 12.3 pounds per ewe.
The Hamar's are members of NDLWPA and Joel is on the Sheep Ked & Louse Control Committee. Joel is a past master of the Masonic Lodge and Betty is a past matron of the Eastern Star.
Myron and Randy Grueneich
Turtle Lake
Myron and Randy Grueneich of Turtle Lake were also honored as North Dakota's 1988 Master Sheep producers. The Grueneich brothers run a 200 ewe commercial flock in Mercer County. Myron has been in the sheep business for 20 years and Randy for 10 years. Today, 25% of the brothers farm income is derived from sheep.
The utilization of the strength and special skills of each brother in a 50-50 partnership in the sheep operation is the key to the success of the Grueneichs. From an 89% lamb crop from 200 short term ewes in 1979, the brothers have in the last three years averaged 166%. On top of that, their death rate has been below 5%.
Myron takes care of the marketing, veterinary practices and disease prevention, plus the feeding of the lambs including the bottle lambs. Randy handles the ration formulation and nutrition. He also handles the management of newborn lambs plus does all the culling of the ewe flock.
The feeding program consists of using home grown feeds (barley and corn) plus pasture utilization for the ewe's in June, July and August. Fall grazing is used to aid in flushing the ewes. Lambs are totally drylotted. A tub grinder is used to prevent hay wastage during the time the ewes are drylotted.
A steel barn (60 x 100) is used as the main facility during lambing. Within the barn, a portable, movable lambing shed is used for lambing jugs and the handling of ewes and lambs during lambing. Another portable, heated shed is used for bottle lambs.
Lambs are weaned between 30 and 60 days of age. Good creep management includes the utilization of a commercial creep feed to give the lambs a fast start plus being on top of health and disease problems through modern techniques and ideas. Glucose injections are used to save premature lambs. Timely use of antibiotics and vaccines are used on all lambs. Costs are reduced in the operation because Myron does all the vet work.
Replacements are kept from within the flock and top quality rams are used to increase production efficiency. Ewes are culled very severely for any problems.
Both Myron and Randy are involved in church and community affairs. Both are board members of their churches and both are Sunday School teachers. Both are Farm Bureau members and Randy is past president of Farm Bureau. Myron is vice president of the Turtle Lake Community Hospital and Randy is a member of the Turtle Lake Community Theater Club.