49
What advice would you give a new Suffolk breeder or junior member? Identify a couple experienced breeders who are willing to mentor you and answer questions. Don’t be afraid to ask questions, listen and never stop learning. What do you enjoy most about being a director? Working with a dedicated group of leaders that want what is best for our breed. While we may have different opinions and ideas, the goals remain the same. I’m proud of many of the initiatives we launched (especially Digital Suffolk). But mostly I enjoy the opportunity to talk Suffolks with my fellow board members and of course working with our amazing Secretary Amanda. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Fun facts about me: - I once exhibited the grand champion pen of ducks at the ND State Fair - I have a master’s degree in Animal Science / genetics from Kansas State University - I coached a National Champion 4-H livestock judging team in 2000 - I used to be a lobbyist - I was once a celebrity judge for a national BBQ competition with Dr. Bar-B-Que If you weren’t raising sheep, what would you be doing with that time? Cooking and traveling Please share a favorite lamb recipe. If you do not have a recipe, what is your favorite lamb dish? I have dozens of favorite lamb recipes- follow me on Facebook or Twitter to learn more. Carol Heupel, Colorado (District 2) How long have you had Suffolk sheep? I got my first two Suffolk lambs in 1974 for my FFA project Approximately how many total ewes do you have (includes other breeds)? We bred 48 ewes this past fall. This was down from 65 the year before. What Suffolk breeders had the biggest impact on you (not your flock, but you), and why? There were a lot of breeders that helped me as I was getting started as a high school and college student so it’s really hard to pick just one. As I started working for my father-in- law I got to meet more breeders at shows and then later down the line my husband and I had our own operation and took rams to sales. There are a lot of breeders of range rams
What Suffolk breeders had the biggest impact on you (not your flock, but you), and why? Bob and Margie Paasch (deceased). Bob was my agriculture teacher my freshman year in high school. And of course, they got me into the Suffolk business. What advice would you give a new Suffolk breeder or junior member? Learn from other breeders how to successfully raise Suffolks. What do you enjoy most about being a director? Sharing ideas with other Directors. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? I have an educational doctorate from the University of Southern California. Go Trojans! If you weren’t raising sheep, what would you be doing with that time? I would be relaxing in Maui. Please share a favorite lamb recipe. If you do not have a recipe, what is your favorite lamb dish? I don’t have a recipe. But, I love “lamb burgers from Superior Inc.” Brenda Reau, Michigan (District 4) How long have you had Suffolk sheep? 42 years Approximately how many total ewes do you have (includes other breeds)? 30 ewes What Suffolk breeder had the biggest impact on you (not your flock, but you), and why? I had many stimulating discussions with George Good over the years that he was the shepherd at Michigan State University and I was on the MSU Extension staff. George always had a way of looking at things from many different angles, recognizing that strengths when taken to an extreme can become a detriment. What advice would you give a new Suffolk breeder or junior member? Stick with a few breeders and genetic lines rather than buying a variety of sheep from many sources. Look for breeders who are willing to help educate you in developing a successful operation. What do you enjoy most about being a director? I love meeting and working with people who are passionate about the breed. There are many directors from other parts of the country whom I would not have crossed paths with if I had not served on the board together with them.
that we spent time with and learned a lot from. Larry Pauly was one of the great ones. What advice would you give a new Suffolk breeder or junior member? Advice would be to read everything about raising sheep and talk to as many people as you can to pick their brains. But remember that your operation is unique to most others, and even though someone tells you something it doesn’t mean it will happen to you exactly like that. IE: never feed alfalfa your sheep will bloat. (That’s all we feed to our sheep!) What do you enjoy most about being a director? I enjoy working with the other directors and committee members on projects. It’s fun to get to know folks from other parts of the country that all have a common interest and lifestyle that we love. What is something people would be surprised to learn about you? Something most people don’t know is that I did not grow up on a farm. Very far from it. If you weren’t raising sheep, what would you be doing with that time? I do love to garden and travel and visit my kids and grandkids so I would do that more. Please share a favorite lamb recipe. If you do not have a recipe, what is your favorite lamb dish? We eat mainly lamb at our house. I use ground lamb in everything other people use hamburger for. But we love chops, roasts and shanks. Roasts are very easy to prepare and cook. I just defrost a little and add a bit of red wine or sherry, some garlic, fresh rosemary sprigs and a touch of water. Then roast for 2 ½-3 hrs at 350. Lloyd McCabe, California (District 1) How long have you had Suffolk sheep? I have been raising Registered Suffolk Sheep since 1966- 89. Was out of the Suffolk business for 10 years when I lived in southern California and served as an agricultural consultant for the California Department of Education (CDE) (1989-1999). Got back into the Suffolk business when I was transferred back to Sacramento by the CDE and bought a 120-acre farm in Dixon and have been raising them ever since (2000-P). Approximately how many total ewes do you have (includes other breeds)? I currently have 35 brood ewes and 11 yearling ewes
Powered by FlippingBook