JimVan Dyke, South Dakota – District 2 Tell us about your current Suffolk flock. 200 head of mature Suffolk brood ewes. 12 frame oriented & the balance being geared more for the production of terminal sires & slick-shorn type seedstock. What has your involvement been with the Suffolk Association(s) and the sheep industry? Current board of director of the USSA & President of South Dakota Suffolk Sheep Assoc as well as President of South Dakota Sheep Growers Association. What do you feel are challenges the Suffolk Association/ Breed faces? Aging membership & failure to keep pace with technology when it comes to keeping production records. What do you feel are some opportunities/strengths of the Suffolk Association/breed? Without a doubt the #1 terminal sire breed in all geographies within the U.S.A along with maternal traits to offer within the smaller farm flock areas. Versatility within the breed. What advice would you give to a new breeder or youth member? Find a reputable breeder you trust & start with a nucleus of like bred females thus giving you a more consistent product to market & select replacement females from. Can you tell us a little about your most influential Suffolk (current or past)? “Dakota” in 2002! As a 21 year old & relatively unheard of “4-Her” I took my best to the National Suffolk Show & Sale. She was 3rd high-selling female & purchased by Tom Burke who campaigned her successfully that year from coast to coast & she went on & was a great brood ewe as well. Simply put: “she put me on the map”! What is something most people would be surprised to know about me. Nothing should come as a surprise to you when it comes to me! Sheep are not my hobby they are what we do for a living! Randy Dombek, Minnesota – District 3 Tell us about your current Suffolk flock. We went from lambing out 70 head of Suffolk ewes to over 100 with the purchase of the Kevin Lansing flock this past December. They are large frame ewes and we like to show at our local state fairs and NAILE. What has your involvement been with the Suffolk Association(s) and the sheep industry? We became members of the Suffolk association back in 1980 when we purchased 10 registered Suffolk ewe lambs. We bought them both to raise show sheep for our four daughters and to raise terminal sires for our commercial ewe flock. What do you feel are some opportunities/strengths of the Suffolk Association/breed? One of the strengths of our association is the board of directors is diverse and represents all the segments of the Suffolk breed.
Can you tell us a little about your most influential Suffolk (current or past)? The ewe most near and dear to my heart is “Jackie O” RMS 1304. Not only was “Jackie O” the 2014 NAILE National Supreme Champion Ewe she went on to raise “O Wow” RMS 1603 the 2017 NAILE National Supreme Champion Ewe. What is something most people would be surprised to know about me? My entire life is consumed with my granddaughter and raising sheep, there really isn’t much else. MattWolf, Idaho – District 2 Tell us about your current Suffolk flock. I started Whispering Hills Suffolk’s 10 years ago. We currently reside just outside Caldwell, Idaho and run 10-15 frame brood ewes that we lamb in the fall and spring. The flock consists of big-bodied, high-volume females that I enjoy looking at. Our flock produces Suffolk’s for multiple purposes from seed stock to freezer lambs. What has your involvement been with the Suffolk Association(s) and the sheep industry? This is my first year as a director on the Suffolk’s Association Board. My involvement started in the sheep industry at a young age being a 4-H member in North Dakota. What do you feel are challenges the Suffolk Association/ Breed faces? I feel the Suffolk breed faces a challenge that many Ag industries are facing and that is the lack of young people involved and the ever-shrinking Ag footprint. What do you feel are some opportunities/strengths of the Suffolk Association/breed? I think when you look at the Suffolk breed, as a whole the breed is the only breed that offers something for everyone, from the commercial breeder to the show ring you can find what you want to raise in the Suffolk breed. What advice would you give to a new breeder or youth member? Raise what you like to look at every day good or bad. Get connected with someone that is raising what you want to raise and pick his or her brain to gain as much knowledge as you can. Building something to be proud of takes FAILURES and TIME. Can you tell us a little about your most influential Suffolk (current or past)? Ruby Mountain “Buck Dynasty”, is the cornerstone for our ewe flock. He stamped our females with great heads, a sound set of feet and legs, and maternal ability second to none. He sired our first Reserve champion ram at the Midwest Stud Ram Sale as well as many sons and daughters that sold off the farm that have went on to work well for so many other breeders. What is something most people would be surprised to know about me? I’m not work at my day job as a Quality Manager for a Semiconductor Company. I enjoy coaching my two sons that wrestle.
Louisville. Lover Boy was his name, and he was a proud jackass with more personality than most any sheep I’ve ever been around. Second, and most meaningful was my Champion Suffolk wether dam ewe at Sedalia in 2019. She was very special to me, and so was that win. What is something most people would be surprised to know about me? I was a band kid all through elementary and high school. My senior year in high school I played the national anthem (trumpet) on the 50 yard line before all the football games, and center court before the basketball games. Cynthia Huckins, Nevada – District 1 Tell us about your current Suffolk flock. Ruby Mountain Sheep Company consists of 35 brood ewes. We pride ourselves on raising nationally competitive stud rams and stud ewes. To my knowledge, Ruby Mountain Sheep Company is the only sheep producer to raise a National Supreme Champion Ewe that produced a National Supreme Champion Ewe. What has your involvement been with the Suffolk Association(s) and the sheep industry? I’ve been an active member of the Suffolk Association for over 25 years, but I’ve been involved in the sheep industry since I was a young girl. I’ve been on the Board of Directors for a year and half. In an effort to help local breeders and 4-H kids I have conducted hands on seminars and clinics. My contributions to the Jr. USSA have been a ewe lamb for auction at the Midwest Stud Ram Sale, sponsoring classes and the Jr. Show and silent auctions at Louisville. What do you feel are challenges the Suffolk Association/ Breed faces? One of the biggest struggles the association faces is the decline in registrations and membership. What do you feel are some opportunities/strengths of the Suffolk Association/breed? The Suffolk breed is an incredibly diverse breed of sheep. There is a Suffolk for everyone regardless of what you want to raise. This breed allows people to raise what they’re passionate about. As a Board Member I have advocated for the breed to stay diverse so that member are free to raise the type of Suffolk that works for them and their operation. The junior association offers many wonderful opportunities for youth, including, scholarship opportunities, ewe lamb giveaways and opportunities to build confidence and self- esteem. What advice would you give to a new breeder or youth member? Raising sheep is hard-work and often thankless, but it is often rewarding and incredibly fulfilling. It’s important to remember that the greatest achievements are not necessarily measured by the show ring. You will meet frustration and disappointment, but most importantly, don’t give-up,
We are typically at a tournament almost every weekend from Mid-December to the first of May.
emphasis has been producing range rams and stud animals. We sell primarily at the Western ram sales but have done some internet and quite a bit of private sales. In the past 8 years we have incorporated my father in-laws flock into ours and formed a partnership group, which he has some say in and can still feel connected to. Our ewe flock size ranges from about 45-60 ewes lambing each year. We farm over 700 acres of irrigated and dryland crops in Eastern Colorado, so our sheep flock is just part of our operation. What has your involvement been with the Suffolk Association(s) and the sheep industry? Our involvement in the sheep industry has been going to our State Wool Growers meetings when we could, consigning to numerous ram sales all across the west, attending the Lamb Summit in 2019, and being a Suffolk Board Director since November 2019. What do you feel are challenges the Suffolk Association/ Breed faces? Challenges our breed faces are too many “types” of Suffolks and bringing our focus back to what really should make our breed stand out. What do you feel are some opportunities/strengths of the Suffolk Association/breed? Our strengths are a great breed to work with. Our Association is full of great people that want the best for our sheep breed. What advice would you give to a new breeder or youth member? Advice to a new breeder would be to get a mentor. Whether it is the person you buy your first sheep from, a neighbor or relative or extension agent. Being able to ask someone with experience is invaluable. I still am learning even after raising sheep for over 40 years. Can you tell us a little about your most influential Suffolk (current or past)? I think my husband and I would agree the Suffolk that had the most influence on both our flocks would have been Keepers Kopy. Marv bought him in 1981 after he won Supreme Champion at Sedalia. He bred over 200 ewes in his first season. I was the Shepherd at Cal Poly at the time (I was the first girl ever to get that job) and got to take care of him that summer at breeding time. We were able to get the last semen to be had in 2016 and have one daughter in the flock out of him, as well as numerous granddaughters. What is something most people would be surprised to know about me? Most people would be surprised to know that I was born and grew up in Southern California and lived in a subdivision. I didn’t play with dolls, I played with my farm set and metal gooseneck horse trailer (which I still have). Our high school had an Ag farm so as a Freshman I joined FFA and within 2 weeks I had my first two Suffolk lambs. I have owned sheep ever since.
Jeff Baumann, Missouri – District 2 Tell us about your current Suffolk flock. We currently run 50 brood ewes along with 50 registered Hampshire Ewes. We focus on producing quality breeding stock and butcher lambs with quality carcass merit. What has your involvement been with the Suffolk Association(s) and the sheep industry? I started serving my first term as a Director for the Suffolk Association this past winter. I also serve on the Missouri Sheep Merchandising Council. As an FFA advisor I have the opportunity to educate our youth all the while advocating for the sheep industry. What do you feel are challenges the Suffolk Association/Breed faces? Similar to other areas of Agriculture, we are challenged by volatile input prices that producers cannot control. Challenging Market prices, devastating weather events, etc…. What do you feel are some opportunities/strengths of the Suffolk Association/breed? Suffolks can produce superior lambs that meet the needs of many different markets and producers. Our breed can produce market lambs with superior carcasses, ewes that can carry healthy lambs and milk to feed them, rams that have longevity and predictability, show lambs that look good, slicked or fitted. The suffolk breed can provide a lot of good for a lot of people. What advice would you give to a new breeder or youth member? A Suffolk sheep project can be rewarding on many different levels. It can teach you many lifelong skills not available in a classroom. It allows you to meet and befriend many great people. It could possibly make you some money and turn into a nice side hustle or career. Work hard and it shall be rewarding. Can you tell us a little about your most influential Suffolk (current or past)? I believe that the next ram we will use on our flock, should be the most influential. But historically, I would have to say a ram we bought from Randy Wilt, 9824 was his number. He was a consistent and strong breeder that produced many ewes that remained in our flock for several years. What is something most people would be surprised to know about me? I greatly enjoy cooking. Anything from BBQ to Sous Ve, I’ll try new techniques and recipes regularly. And of course, I really like testing out new lamb dishes for my family and friends.
Director Question & Answer
Greg Ahart, California – District 1 Tell us about your current Suffolk flock. Got a bit of everything. A few Cheviots, a few Dorsets, lots of blackface crosses, and a number of Suffolks. All (other than the Cheviots) are geared towards being more moderate framed and heavier muscled sheep, with the bulk being sold either as youth project/show lambs or breeding stock. Additionally, have been lucky to be part of my in-laws Suffolk flock (Donner Trail Ranch) for many years. What has your involvement been with the Suffolk Association(s) and the sheep industry? I’ve been a director for a term and have been the President of the CA Suffolk and Hampshire Sheep Breeders Association for a number of years. Grew up on a sheep and cattle ranch in Northern California and have almost always owned sheep. Additionally, I’ve been employed by Superior Farms (the nation’s largest lamb processor) for over 25 years and am currently the VP of Operations. In prior appointments elsewhere I am a past president of the California Wool Growers, past chairman of the American Sheep and Goat Center, and served two terms on the American Lamb Board. What do you feel are challenges the Suffolk Association/ Breed faces? Breed identity and a declining number of both breeders and registrations. What do you feel are some opportunities/strengths of the Suffolk Association/breed? The ‘bread and butter’ of the Suffolk breed has always been as THE terminal sire in the commercial sheep industry. Refocusing on what made the breed successful there previously may help the breed going forward. We have a great office and Executive Secretary, and there is a core of very engaged and very passionate Suffolk breeders. What advice would you give to a new breeder or youth member? Understand what you want to do with the sheep, and make sure you’re finding the right type of sheep for that application. Find a mentor – and that doesn’t need to be a neighbor – who will help with questions, brainstorming, and shortening the learning curve. Sheep people truly want other sheep people to succeed. Can you tell us a little about your most influential Suffolk (current or past)? I have two favorites: first, my in-laws 1993 National Champion Ram at
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Carol Heupel Colorado – District 2 Tell us about your current Suffolk flock. Our flock
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