Southdown News

Tracy L Stade- Repasky Passes

Tracy L Stade- Repasky  

Born: May 17, 1967 -Died: May 25, 2011
Services: Funeral Service, Tuesday, May 31, 2011 11 AM at the Tiowakan Spiritual Center at the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, Prior Lake
Visitation: The American Indian all night wake begins on Monday, May 30, 2011 at 4 PM at 14570 Mystic Lake Drive, Prior Lake.
Tracy Lee Stade-Repasky, age 44,member of the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, entered the Spirit World on Wednesday, May 25, 2011 at Abbott-Northwestern Hospital, Minneapolis. Complete obituary will follow.
Cemetery: Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community Cemetery
Location: McNearney Funeral Home and Cremation Services
Church: Tiowakan Spiritual Center   

 

Experience Southdown's June 4, 2011 at Kline Creek Farm

The Illinois Association invites you to Experience Southdown's June 4, 2011 at Kline Creek Farm near West Chicago, Illinois. Kline Creek is a working history museum with 1890 farming practices. The event will start at 11:00 a.m. with a farm tour. A pizza lunch will follow the tour. Mark Johnson will conduct afternoon demonstrations with juniors on selecting Southdown's. A full schedule can be seen at this site.  There is no cost for admission to the farm and the pizza lunch is sponsored by Gale Cole and the Illinois Southdown Association.
     Kline Creek has a competitive Southdown flock that is part  of the historic farm and the forrest preserve district is a members of the Illinois Association.  This special junior event is open to all Southdown Enthusiast of any age, both in Illinois and outside.  Make it a weekend and visit many other near by attractions.

New England Southdown Breeders host National Southdown Sale and Jr. Show

     The 2011 National Southdown Sale and the National Junior Show  will be July  9 & 10 in West Springfield, Massachusetts in the Easter States Exposition Center.  Entry form for sale sheep can be downloaded HERE.  For inclusion in the catalog, entries should be received by April 20, 2011.The sale is a part of the New England Sheep Breeders Sale.  The National Junior Show will be part of the NorthEast Youth Sheep Show.  Information on the show and sale is HERE.  The Northeast Southdown Sheep Breeders will be donating a ewe lamb to the best applicant received on this FORM.

Assist in Research

Hairy lambs
     For a number of years the Association office has received reports of lambs being born that are not typical newborn Southdown lambs.  The lambs are born with a fine coat of hair rather than wool, plus they are rather fine-boned and perhaps parrot mouthed.  Most often the lambs, when stressed, are not able to survive the challenges of winter.
     The Board of Directors have taken these reports with due seriousness and have worked closely with Dr. Jon Beever of the University of Illinois for the past few years.  Dr. Beever is a molecular geneticist and has helped numerous breeds of livestock determine if problems, such as hairy lambs, are genetic or environmental.  We are fortunate to have Dr. Beever working with us on this issue.
     As a breeder of purebred Southdown sheep, we all have a responsibility to find the answer to this issue.  Over the years a number of you have sent in samples and progress has been made on this complicated issue.  Our thanks to each of you for your diligence.
     You may wonder what more can be done to help eliminate this occurrence.  If, during the course of this year’s lambing season, you happen to have a lamb born that is not normal and appears to have the above characteristics, you can assist the breed by immediately contacting us.
     Call the Association office at 325-429-6226 or Dr. Scott Flanagan at 325-234-8843.  Dr. Flanagan is a veterinarian and chairman of our genetic research and development committee. We will guide you through the few simple steps that are needed to help us solve this problem.  We will certainly keep your report in all confidence, if you so wish.  
   The Southdown is the oldest purebred breed of sheep in America.  It is our desire to maintain the integrity of this breed and it’s breeders.

 

Please don’t hesitate to call or email if you have any further questions.

March 1 Deadline for Directory Ad

Promote Your Flock of Southdowns

    As you may have heard the Southdown Journal will not be published this year. For many years, the Journal, as we came to know it, was a great publication and was a wonderful way to communicate with the membership and promote your flock.
    However, as the Association now adapts to other forms of communication such as our website and Facebook, the Board is now looking forward to a new publication for your use throughout the year.The Southdown Journal & Directory will be published once a year and will contain information to help you throughout your Southdown year. Whatever you need, whatever the question, you should find the answer in this publication. The futurity rules and point record forms, scholarship application, a current fee list, as well as other information will be there. 
    Just as in the old Southdown Journal, this publication will have flock ads to help with your yearly merchandising. The Southdown Journal & Directory will be mailed, free of charge, to all regular and youth members of the Association, along with being frequently distributed at all major sales and Southdown events during 2011.
    If you would like to be a part of this publication and promote your flock, remember that the ad deadline is March 1^st. Your prompt attention is necessary for this new publication.

Southdown Journal and Directory Advertising Information

Rates

 

Size	Rate	Add for color
2 page	$500	$300
1 page	$300	$200
2/3 page	$250	$150
1/2 page	$175	$125
1/3 page	$140	$100
1/4 page	$110	$75
3.5 inch x 2.5 inch	$50	$50

 

Photos - $15 (all photos must be submitted with ad content) Copy ready ads are accepted and will receive a 15% discount.

Ad Specifications (for camera ready ads)

This publication is printed by sheetfeed, offset process. The publication trim is 8.5 x 11.  Keep all live matter in 7.5 x 10 area. Bleed size before trim is 8.75 x 11.25.   Acceptable documents: high resolution PFD (fonts embedded), InDesign (fonts embedded) and Photoshop tif. The Southdown Journal does not accept files that cannot be imported into InDesign for a PC platform. Black and white photo should be scanned grayscale at 300 dpi. Four-color images should be scanned CMYK at 300 dpi. Files less than 10 mb should be sent to journal@southdownsheep.org        otherwise send files on CD. Please supply a hard-copy proof.

Please contact Lisa Scramlin at  scramli3@hotmail.com

or 517-214-7522 with any additional questions.

 

On Line Registration now possible

Southdown breeders can now register online as well as by mail. A registration application can now be e-mailed directly to the Association. But, applications could be faxed in the past. The true improvement is the ability to instantly pay. The Association will now accept payment by PayPal accounts. Once a breeder signs up for a PayPal account, the charges are posted to the breeders credit card. When payments are forwarded an e-mail is received by the Association itemizing the payment. The Board of Directors has added an additional $10 fee for the use of electronic payment. Registration sent electronically will go into the regular flow of business unless the breeder has submitted payment for RUSH processing. Remember, if the owner of the sire is different than the dam the breeder certificate is necessary whether sent by mail or electronically. Online registration can be reached from the home page or by going here: http://www.southdownsheep.org/reg.html

December 2010 News

A summary of Southdown successes are reported in the December 2010 Southdown Newsletter.  You will be receiving a copy soon.  It can be seen here. 

 President L. C. Scramlin reports on Association action taken after two sheep exhibited at the 2010 NAILE Southdowns show were determined by blood test to be carriers.  See the letter here.

Illinois Breeder Perry Pratt Dies

Perry Russell Pratt, 86, of Cropsey, Illinois died on Octctober 31, 2010 at Pontiac, Illinois.
    Mr. Pratt was a 1942 graduate of Strawn High School. He was active in the Cropsey United Methodist Church. He was a lifetime livestock farmer who started exhibiting livestock at the Fairbury Fair in 1934. In addition to the Fairbury Fair, he exhibited at many other state and county fairs. Other accomplishments include being the first 4-H member from Livingston County selected to attend Club Congress in 1945.
    Mr. Pratt had been a member of the American Southdown Breeders Association, a charter member of the Livingston County Country Couples (1955), director of the Citizens State Bank of Cropsey for 38 years, director of Eastern Illini Electric for 25 years and served as the Cropsey Township cemetery sexton for 33 years.
    An avid sports fan, Perry played on the Forrest Comets semi-pro football team in his youth and continued to enjoy sports his entire life.

AUGUST E - LETTER

It’s Back to School Time
Summer is quickly coming to a close.  Those county fairs, National Junior Shows, State Fairs, camps, and other activities are becoming history.  But, with the end of summer comes a new season with new activities, possibilities, and some dates to remember.
Need a College Scholarship?
The ASBA is offering three $600 scholarships to students 21 or under who attend a college, university, or technical school.  These students must be members of the American Southdown Breeders’ Junior Association. With an entry deadline of September 1^st, you may wish to go to www.southdownsheep.org and read more about the scholarship.  Then download and fill out that application.  What college student couldn’t use $600?
“Ewes for Youth”
We are again offering a set of excellent yearling Southdown ewes to those who desire to participate in the “Ewes for Youth” program.  This is a great way to get into the Southdown business or to improve the genetics in your flock, as you grow with Southdowns.  Check out the application for this program.  It is also on the website and has a deadline of September 1^st. 
2010 “Pot O’ Gold” Futurity
Every year since 1992, the Southdown futurity has had juniors competing in shows across the country.  Many of you have been sending in those point record forms this year.  Keep them coming as you finish up all your shows.  I can tell that it will again come down to the “wire” as competition is tight.  Need a point record form… it’s on the website.
“Stars of Louisville” Sale
Don’t forget the entry deadline for the “Stars” sale in Louisville is September 1^st.  We want to get the catalog in the fall Journal, so take a few minutes and enter that “keeper” ewe lamb or that top bred ewe.  It’s a great sale with a great history.  It is also part of the Louisville experience!  As time is short, the entry blank is on the website, ready to be completed with your necessary information. 

If you have a question on any of the many ASBA programs, please don’t hesitate to email the office at southdown@ctesc.net or call the office at 325-429-6226.

 

Stars Sale Entry Blanks

It is probably hard for you to start thinking about Louisville and all of its activities; however, we are only 80 plus days away from the North American!
The Association has sponsored the “Stars of Louisville” ewe sale since 1992, and it has been a wonderful sale for breeders to showcase their best females for all these years.  There is no doubt that there have been a lot of changes in the Southdown business since 1992, and there have been a lot of changes in the merchandising of Southdowns.  However, when one looks at the history of this sale, the sale averages, the number of potential buyers and spectators present, and the benefits of a good consignment in your sales program, this is a sale you need to consider entering.
The entry deadline is the 1^st of September; however, we would like to publish the full sale catalog in the fall issue of the Southdown Journal.  Therefore, if you wish your consignment to be included in the catalog, send your entries in as soon as possible because the Journal will be going to print very soon after the 1^st of September.
The entry fee is $40 per head and is due with your sale entry pedigrees and footnotes. 
I have already had calls in the office on the sale and fully expect the sale to be part of a great Southdown experience in Louisville.  When you sit back and think about the year, it has been a very good year for Southdowns.  Recent reports from the state fairs have been extremely positive.
You can find the Stars of Louisville Sale entry blank HERE, or I will be happy to email one to you.
Thanks for your consideration of this sale and its potential for your program.
Gary Jennings
Executive Secretary
American Southdown Breeders’ Association

A big TEXAS thank you to the Texas Southdown Family,

Many worked very hard to put their best foot forward and were very successful in doing so.  There are many people to send thank yous to and I will not attempt to name them all here.  I do however want to send a special thank you out to 2 families that exemplifies what I believe the Southdown family is about. 

Gary, working on behalf of the Texas Southdown Association and every Southdown breeder, handled the record keeping and financial chores along with the sale catalog, entries, and overall coordination.  THANK YOU.

Karen, your fingers must be sore from punching on that computer.  Karen always had a big smile and a warm greeting.  THANK YOU.

Aaron and Gabe worked hard providing cold water, keeping the electricity running and the dirty job of cleaning the sand.  THANK YOU.

Mariah; It is my understanding this event would not have been possible without you.  You coordinated the facilities and even made sure of the conference phone call for our meeting.  THANK YOU.

From the biggest detail to the smallest, the Jennings’s family exemplify what a Southdown family is all about, working together for the benefit of all.

I don’t know how to put into words the heart felt appreciation I have for the Jennings’s family.  THANK YOU.

Marty Gibbs, from day one, took it upon his shoulders to take the lead.  He organized a game plan and schedule and then made it work.  Marty utilized the many talents of his family, including his daughters.  Courtney, who ran the ring, kept the placing records plus did an excellent job of exemplifying a Southdown Jr. leader all throughout a great National Jr. Show.  I want to express a warm THANK YOU to the Gibbs family.

There are many more people I should mention but you know who you are.  Please take a moment to reflect and know that you are appreciated.

One last Thank you goes to the one that controls the weather.  Cool and comfortable in Texas!!!

THANK YOU on behalf of the ASBA family,

The Darrell Howard Family

National Junior Show Results - Lubbock, Texas

Click here to view the complete results of the National Junior Show.

National Southdown Sale Results - Lubbock, Texas

Click here to view the complete sale results!

Ram Average: $638

Ewe Average: $824

June E - Letter

All-American Update 

The entries have been counted for the 17^th annual All-American Junior Show to be held in East Lansing, Michigan, this year over the 4^th of July weekend.  With a total number of 1,546 sheep and 305 exhibitors, it looks to be another great All-American.  Southdown numbers are outstanding with 326 head entered in the show!  Our breed again dominates the show with the next closest breed having 125 fewer head entered.  Good luck to all you juniors who have entered.   

The National Sale and National Junior Show 

Entries will be due for the 2010 National Sale and National Junior Show on July 1^st. 

This year’s National Junior Show and National Sale will be in Lubbock, Texas, utilizing the facilities of Texas Tech University.  The Texas Southdown Breeders’ Association and its members have worked hard to make this a great three days for all who attend. 

If you haven’t looked at the schedule of events for the National Junior Show, it promises to be fun, educational, and competitive for all youth.  There will be laser tag, bowling, pizza, refreshments, and a sheep skillathon.  A chuck wagon barbeque and entertainment, plus all the sheep you can show will make for a great time.If you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to contact the Association office.  We will be happy to help you with your entries, your motel questions, or anything else. 

Ready, Set, Go… 

The Midwest Stud Ram Sale is this coming week in Sedalia, Missouri.  The Southdowns will show on Tuesday morning at 8:00 a.m., and the sale will be at approximately 12:30 on Thursday, June 24^th.  This promises to be another great opportunity to buy Southdowns, and especially to purchase your next futurity ewe lamb.   Then comes the time to start sending in those point record forms as you being the summer show season. 

The point record form is in this issue of the Southdown Journal, or is online under the Journal at www.southdownsheep.org. Remember to send those completed forms into the Association office within 21 days of the show. 

It’s a Great Year 

What a great year for Southdowns!  Sales have been excellent, both with consignment sales and web sales.  The summer shows are going to be the place to be.   Hope you can be there to represent your breed – SOUTHDOWNS.

June 12, 2010 Preview Shows

The Spring JOURNAL is now on line.  Slow connections can go to the yellow "NEWS" menu and it will drop down and the JOURNAL is divided into 4 files.  Two eventa are scheduled for June 12, 2010.  The 10th Southdown Experience will be in Eureka, Illinois and a new preview show at Chillicothe, Missouri.  ForMissouriTunis@hotmail.com
 the Illinois show contact mbmcelvain@gmail.com and the Missouri show MissouriTunis@hotmail.com.

James Lightfoot, Past Association President, Dies

James Wanless Lightfoot, 75, died May 12. Born in New Haven, December 17, 1934, he was the son of John B. and Ruth W. Lightfoot. Mr Lightfoot was a longtime employee of The Newtown Bee Publishing Company.

He was president of the ASBA from 1972-74.

Funeral services will be held at 1 pm, Saturday, May 22, at North Congregational Church in Woodbury, with a private family burial following the service. Calling hours are Friday, May 21, from 5 to 8 pm, at North Congregational Church, Main Street, Woodbury.

In lieu of flowers, a memorial contribution may be made to The American Southdown Breeders Association Youth Scholarship Fund, 100 Cornerstone Road, Fredonia Texas 76842.

Mr Lightfoot was active in 4-H since the age of eight. He was a 4-H sheep club leader in Litchfield County and a well-known and respected livestock judge throughout Connecticut and New England. He was a Connecticut 4-H Foundation Trustee, a member of the Litchfield County 4-H Foundation, and a director of The Flanders Nature Center. He was a member and President of the New England Sheep and Wool Growers Association. He also served as president of the Connecticut Sheep Breeders Association as well as president and director of the American Southdown Breeders Association.

In 1955 Mr Lightfoot moved to Woodbury. He was employed from 1956 to 1965 at Curtis Folding Box Company in Shelton. From1965 until his retirement in 1994, he was the advertising sales manager for The Newtown Bee Publishing Company.

He was active in Woodbury as the Woodbury Liaison to State Legislator Clyde Sayer. Mr Lightfoot was a member of the Woodbury Zoning Board of Appeals and a member of the Woodbury Republican Town Committee. He was a member of the Region 14 Board of Education for seven years, serving as treasurer.

May E-Letter

Did We Set a Record?
The last E-letter talked about the Illini Sale “being one of the best ever.”  The Ohio Showcase sale held this past weekend lived up to above quote and more!  See a full report at http://www.southdownsheep.org/pdf/10southdownohio.pdf With an average of very near $900 per head on 169 lots, the 2010 Ohio sale will go down as a record-breaking sale for the Southdown breed.
Although not in attendance, I heard about the positive attitude that was prevalent during the entire weekend and the customer desire to purchase high quality Southdown breeding stock.
One just has to look at the average per class to see the evidence.  The yearling ewes averaged a whopping $995 per head with the Champion ewe of Pleasant Springs bringing $6,500.  Fall ewe lambs averaged $948 with a $3,000 top price from the same breeder.  January ewe lambs boasted an average of $833 with the high price going to Northern Starr at $3,100.  February ewe lambs had a strong average of $827, again with Pleasant Springs selling the highest lamb in class at $1,800.
When you turn your attending to rams, you sometimes fall on hard times, but not this time!  Yearling rams averaged $663 with the high price of $1,800.  Fall ram lambs were sky high with an average of $1,348.  The high selling lamb consigned by Wilson’s Skyview Farm, brought a price of $4,000.  January ram lambs averaged $601 and February lambs averaged $916.  A&M Ranch consigned the high selling January lamb at $1,300 and Willwerth Southdowns bred the high selling February at $2000. 
The Ohio Sale has become one of the great sales for the breed and a barometer of Southdowns.  Look out, for 2010 is going to continue to be a great one for the breed!

 So you missed the Ohio Sale…

 There are other opportunities to buy great Southdowns across the country.  Just this coming weekend, May 15^th, in Abilene, Texas, the Texas Southdown Breeder’s Sale will be offering a good consignment.  This sale will highlight some of the best breeding in the Southwest.  I would contact the Texas State Secretary, Finus Branham, for more information on consignments at 806-885-4725 or 806-765-5547.
The Nugget All-American Show in Sparks, Nevada, will be May 28-29^th.  This is a great event to attend for a fun time, and a top set of Western-bred Southdowns will be offered.  Banner Sale management covers the event and can be reached at www.bannersheepmagazine.com .
Take advantage of the great opportunities in May to add to your flock or show string.  

 Here’s to enjoying your Southdowns!  

NATIONAL SALE AND JUNIOR SHOW INFORMATION

The 2010 National Sale and Junior Show will be held July 14 - 17 in Lubbock, Texas on the campus of Texas Tech University.  You can view the schedule here.  Breeders should make sale entries by July 1 on this form.  Entries for the Junior Show are to be made by July 1 on this form.  The rules of the show are published here.  The sale order and the junior show will be judged by Jim Miller.

Ohio Southdown Sale Averages near $900

May 8, 2010 may be the record for Southdown Sales.  See a full report at:  http://www.southdownsheep.org/pdf/10southdownohio.pdf  169 head averaged $898.96 according to the unofficial printout.  There was strength all the way down each age division and balance between sexes.  41 yearling ewes averaged $995.12, 25 fall ewes averaged $948.00, 29 January ewes averaged $833.62 and 28 February ewes averaged $827.68.  13 yearling rams averaged $663.46, 13 fall rams averaged $1348.08, 14 January rams averaged $601.79 and 6 February rams averaged $916.67.

    While there were some high prices, the constant  prices shows strongthe demand for Southdowns in 2010.  The champion and high selling ram ram (fall) was sold by Pleasent Springs for $4700,  Mapolyne's reserve champion (January) brought $1000.  The senior reserve of Nothern Star (yearling) sold for $1300 and the junior reserve of Rinker (February) went for $600.  The high selling sheep was  the Champion Ewe of Pleasant Springs (yearling) at $6500, the reserve ewe from Splenderview (January) sold for $1750, the senior reserve was the fall ewe of Haven Point selling for $2400 and the junior reserve of Pleasant Springs (February) went at $1800.

  When released, a link to the official sale results will appear on the home page of this web site.

   

American Southdown Breeders E-Letter
American Southdown Sheep Breeders, 100 Cornerstone Road, Fredonia, TX 76842
Phone: (325)429-6226 Fax: (325)429-6225 Writer/Editor: Gary Jennings E-mail: southdown@ctesc.net 
Web site: http://www.southdownsheep.org

It Was One of the Best Ever:

I had a great report on the Illini Sale held this past weekend.  It was described as “one of the best ever!”  The Champion Ewe, consigned by the Davis Family, brought $1,000 with the Reserve Ewe sold by Misti Williams bringing $700.00.  The Champion Ram, consigned by the Dale Davis Family, brought $650.00.  A nice crowd was on hand to compete for the consignments of Southdowns.  This is a good beginning to the sale season.

If You Missed the Illini Sale…

The Wisconsin Invitational Show and Sale follows up only a couple of weekends later on April 17^th.  This sale is held in Jefferson.  The sale-order show will begin at 9:30 that morning with the sale following only an hour after the show.

Next, there is a new time for an old sale. The National Corn Belt Sale will be held this year on April 23^rd and 24^th.  The location is the same, being in Des Moines, Iowa, but the date is a radical shift from the old Memorial Day sales of years gone by. 

These sales all offer excellent consignments of Southdowns and would be well worth your time to attend.  They all fit the ownership deadlines for those that purchase breeding sheep projects for Midwest states, plus they all have futurity lamb consignments that can compete in the 2010 Pot of Gold Futurity. I would contact Banner Sale Management at www.bannermagazine.com for a sale catalog.

Pot of Gold Futurity: 

It is hard to believe, but this is the 19^th year of the futurity. A great history of youths has shown in the “Pot of Gold.” What high-quality sets of ewe lambs and yearlings have competed over the years!  This year will be no different with excellent premiums offered for those that compete in each time zone or region, plus overall premiums for those with the top 20 placings.  I encourage our youth to be a part of the history of this futurity and find that special ewe lamb at one of the sales.  Buy her and compete throughout the show season.  Then join the finale in Louisville. 

Midwest Junior Preview: 

One of the shows where you young people can compete is the new Midwest Junior Preview Sheep Show held in Chillicothe, Missouri.  This is a new all-breed junior breeding show to be held on June 12^th.  It looks to be a promising show, well worth your time.  The best contact for more information is www.motunis.com/midwest-preview-junior-show.htm. 

 

OHIO SALE CATALOG

The 2010 Ohio Southdown Classic Show and Sale in Eaton, Ohio is May 7 & 8. 214 entries are listed in the catalog. http://www.southdownsheep.org/pdf/2010SDClassic.pdf

American Southdown Breeders E-Letter
American Southdown Sheep Breeders, 100 Cornerstone Road, Fredonia, TX 76842
Phone: (325)429-6226 Fax: (325)429-6225 Writer/Editor: Gary Jennings E-mail: southdown@ctesc.net 
Web site: http://www.southdownsheep.org

Winter is Finally Over!

Easter is upon us, and we all hope that winter is finally over. What a season it was for so many across the country! Records were broken for rain and snowfall and temperatures were not kind for many.

With the end of winter and lambing season for most, it is time to begin planning your travel for the many sales, shows, and conferences. There are numerous good choices for the merchandising of your flock and for continuing education. This E-letter should you become aware of some of those choices.

It is all Happening in Ohio

The Genetic Stakeholder’s Committee of ASI in cooperation with the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association is hosting a regional genetics conference July 10 and 11th. The conference will be at Riverwood Farm in Powell. They have a great line up of speakers and topics. Anyone with a serious interest in the sheep industry will enjoy this conference.

With a registration deadline of July 25th for the dinner, I would think it best to contact Roger High at 614-246-8299 or rhigh@ofbf.org. for a detailed registration brochure.

The second event is the 2010 Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School. This also will be held in Ohio this year, specifically, Columbus. This event will include the genetics conference discussed above, plus other events and tours. The dates are July 10-14th.

Individuals must be 20 years of age or older to attend this leadership school. Contact the National Lamb Feeders at 503-364-5462 or info@nlfa-sheep.org for more information. The deadline for this event is May 1st.

Great Opportunity for Illinois Youth

Once again the Illinois Southdown Sheep Breeders are sponsoring an essay contest for 4-H and FFA members, with the winner receiving a ewe lamb. The essay should include why they would like a Southdown, future plans for the lamb, and how they will care for it.

Entries should be mailed to Betsy Meisenheimer, 5734 Palmyra Rd., Palmyra, IL 62674 by May 1st.

Hope you have a great spring as we shake off winter and enjoy these warmer temperatures!

American Southdown Breeders E-Letter
American Southdown Sheep Breeders, 100 Cornerstone Road, Fredonia, TX 76842
Phone: (325)429-6226 Fax: (325)429-6225 Writer/Editor: Gary Jennings E-mail: southdown@ctesc.net 
Web site: http://www.southdownsheep.org

Texas Winter Show Update
Texas is unique with the number of livestock shows during the winter. It seems that every major city has a livestock show and rodeo!

Both Ft. Worth and San Antonio are history, and what a great display of Southdown sheep at each. It seems like a broken record, but Southdowns continue their dominance in numbers at the breeding shows. At Ft. Worth, Southdowns lead the way in number of entries, and at San Antonio the classes were exceptional. There was not a major breeder that wouldn’t have loved to take home the top twenty Southdown ewe lambs at either show.

But perhaps the best evidence of where this breed is today is the continued growth of Southdowns in the market classes. This year there were 172 Southdowns shown at the San Antonio market lamb show. These numbers have not come about overnight, but have been the result of a slow and deliberate growth. You might want to check the websites for Ft. Worth and San Antonio to see photos of the champions.

Don’t Forget the Special Rate for Registry Work

The Board of Directors decided that this winter would be a great time for everyone to update and complete certificates of registry and transfers of ownerships. So, until March 15, 2010, all registry work and all transfer work will be $5.00 per head, regardless of the age of the sheep or the time lapse of transfer. This could amount to significant savings when compared to the current rates for registering sheep over a year of age and transfers over 30 days.

As your ewes are lambing this winter, check to make sure each ewe is registered. The five generation papers we now generate are an excellent tool to verify the pedigrees of your sheep, plus by using the production record form on the back of the paper, accurate records of offspring can be kept. How often have you gotten ready to sell some ewes only to find out that part of them are not registered? We all know that ewes with papers and accurate pedigree information are worth more to buyers.

Finally this would be a great time to complete transfers of ownership at the lowest possible price. There are many flocks that wish to transfer ownership from one family member to another, prior to lambing, thus allowing the lambs to be in the name of the new owner.

I hope that you will take advantage of this special offer to have all your paperwork and registrations current. Remember the deadline of March 15th.

Southdowns on Facebook?

If you haven’t seen or heard, Southdowns are now on Facebook. Become a fan and check out the information at http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#!/pages/American-Southdown-Breeders-Association/313741868887?ref=nf

ASBA facebook page

You can become a fan of the ASBA Facebook page.  Go to THIS page.

The 22 year list of Christened Names is also now on lien.  The list can be viewed HERE or by going to the Association Information page.

WINTER JOURNAL ON LINE

American Southdown Breeders E-Letter
American Southdown Sheep Breeders, 100 Cornerstone Road, Fredonia, TX 76842
Phone: (325)429-6226 Fax: (325)429-6225 Writer/Editor: Gary Jennings E-mail: southdown@ctesc.net 
Web site: http://www.southdownsheep.org

Merry Christmas
Christmas is but a few days away, and most are not thinking about the Association and the past activities of the year, but our wish to you from the American Southdown Breeders’ Association is that you have a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season.  We have much to be thankful for in 2009 and look forward to 2010.
Louisville Ended With a Bang!

For the third year in a row one of the Supreme Champions at Louisville has been a Southdown!  It was great to have the yearling ewe shown by Pleasant Springs Southdowns from Wisconsin win this prestigious award.  Other Supremes over the past three years include the ram “New Generation” shown by Northern Starr Livestock and “Dialed In” again shown by Pleasant Springs. 

Registry Rate Change

As we settle down to the long winter nights, perhaps it would be a good time to catch up on the paper work for your Southdowns. 

The Board of Directors has decided that this winter would be a great time for everyone to update and complete certificates of registry and transfers of ownerships.  So, from the present until March 15, 2010, all registry work and all transfer work will be $5.00 per head, regardless of the age of the sheep or the time lapse of transfer.  This could amount to significant savings when compared to the current rates for sheep over a year of age and transfers over 30 days. 

As your ewes are lambing this winter, check to make sure each ewe is registered.  The five generation papers we now generate are an excellent tool to verify the pedigrees of your sheep, plus by using the production record form on the back of the paper, accurate records of offspring can be kept.  How often have you gotten ready to sell some ewes only to find out that part of them are not registered?  We all know that ewes with papers and accurate pedigree information are worth more to buyers. 

Finally this would be a great time to complete transfers of ownership at the lowest possible price.  There are many flocks that wish to transfer ownership from one family member to another, prior to lambing, thus allowing the lambs to be in the name of the new owner. 

I hope that you will take advantage of this special offer to have all your paperwork and registrations current.  Remember the deadline of March 15^th. 

Happy New Year and hoping for the best lamb crops yet!!

2009 NAILE Youth Symposium

Join us for the 2009 NAILE Youth Symposium!

Sponsored by the AJSA Ambassadors

Who: All youth are welcome to join in the fun
When: Saturday, November 14 at 3:00 PM
Where: NAILE meeting rooms (signs will be posted)
Why: Activities are centered on educational contests found at many state, regional, and national shows.

The Youth Symposium is an excellent opportunity to learn from many speakers on the following topics:

Photography, poster, & T-shirt design 
Fleece presentation and judging  
Ad layouts and logo design  
Anatomy and meat cut identification

ICE CREAM SOCIAL AT THE END

NAILE Entries

   Junior exhibitors have entered 272 Southdowns.  The entries can be viewed HERE.  The show will be November 14.  You can view the show on the internet if you are ubable to be present.

   The open show has 208 Southdowns entered.  View those entries HERE. The show starts at 8:00 am on November 17.  t is also on the internet.

   Both open show and junior show exhibitors are listed HERE.

Stars Sale Catralog

29 Southdown bred yearling ewes and ewe lambs have been consigned to the Sale.  The sheep are from top breeders from the west coast to the midwest and east.  View the catalog HERE.

NAILE Schedule

North American Junior Show - November 15
The show will be Sunday, November 15. The exact time is yet to be announced. Dr. Shawn Ramsey of  Texas A&M University will be evaluating the sheep.
Stars of Louisville Sale - November 14
The sale will be on Saturday November 14, at 12:30 at the sale arena area, adjacent to the sheep office. The complete sale catalog is HERE.
Banquet and Annual Meeting - November 16
The 127th annual meeting of the ASBA will be held Monday evening November16 at 6:30 p.m. with a banquet and then annual meeting. The exact location in the south hall of the North American complex will be announced later. Tickets for the banquet may be purchased at the door. No advance purchases are necessary.
Board Meeting -  November 16
The informal meeting of the Board of Directors will be held Monday morning at 9:00 a.m., November 16 at the North American. Location will be assigned later.
National Show - November 17
Craig Beckmier will judge the National Southdown Show starting at 8:00 a.m. on November 17.

Illinois On Line Bred Ewe Sale Posted

 View the Illinois Bred Ewe on line saleHERE

Bred ewe sales have been missing for some time.  This is the perfect way to supplement your flock or help a local 4-H er start in the Southdown business.  There are 18 head offered with 10 being bred ewes and 8 ewe lambs.  Delivery of all sheep offer for sale can be made to Louisville on November 15. 

Sign up now for your bidding number and review the on line bidding rules.  The rules are what you expect.  The sale takes place next Monday and Tuesday, October 19 & 20 and ends at 9:00 p.m. EST on Tuesday.