Southdown News

Southdown Scholarships Increase

The American Southdown Breeders' Association is offering three scholarships to junior members who are pursuing an education after high school. The ASBA board of directors approved increasing the scholarship amounts from $500 to $600 during their July meeting at the 2008 National Southdown Show and Sale in Richmond, Indiana.

Applicants must be age 21 or under as of January 1, 2008, be enrolled and in good standing at a college, university or technical/trade school, and intend to enroll in classes at that school the next semester. The scholarship application is available HERE and in the Junior forms on this web site.

New England Southdowns Sell July 19

For a catalog of the New England Southdown Sale on July 19 look HERE.  Last year, photos of the sale sheep for the 2007 National sale were on line at the New England Sheep Breeders web sire.  This year photos of the champions and several of the sale sheep will again be on line for mail buyers to view.  Check for the link by going HERE.  This is the last major Southdown Sale of the summer and the last chance to buy Futurity ewe lambs this year.

NATIONAL SALE AVERAGE $684

The 2008 Southdown National Sale was active with bidders despite the inability of the internet to work.  Prior to the sale it became apparent that bidders would need to use cell phone numbers to contact the sale and bid.  Many did bid and buy during the sale.

The Junior Champion ram of Colorado State University topped the sale bringing $3100.  The Champion ram of B & B Howard sold for $2750.  The reserve ram of MB Genetics sold for $1600 and, althought current possession was sold, a 1/2 interest was retained by the breeder.

The Champion ewe was the late ewe lamb of B & B  Howard selling for $1600.  The reserve ewe was from MB Genetics, a yearling, going for $1200. Other high selling ewes, were the early ewe lamb of B & B Howard for $1100, the fall ewe lamb of Northern Star for $1100, the late ewe lamb of Oldenberg for $1000 and the B & B Howard yearling for $1250.  Full results can be seen HERE

The event is being presented by the Indiana area breeders with the Sink Family in charge.  Thursday evening was highlighted by adult and youth bowling and Friday, following the sale, a lamb meal was enjoyed by everyone.  Saturday many of the purchases from the sale will join over 300 sheep entered in the National Junior Show.

National Sale and Junior Show

Excitment is building for the National Sale and Junior Show this week in Richmond, Indiana.  The show for the sale order wil be at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday and the sale will be Noon on Friday.  Buyers that cannot attend can bid and keep track of the sale on the internet.  The link is listed on the bottom of the from page.  Those that watched the Midwest Sale on the internet know that it is a convient and easy way to bid on sheep.

Major junior events are  planned. The Ambassador applications deadline have been extended to the 9th of July and can be brought to the Junior event and submitted.  Bowling on Thursday night is being sponsored by the Sink Family.  The National Junior Show will be Saturday and there are over 300 entries.  Ther is plenty  to do for junior members that did not enter sheep in the show.  In fact, shep purchased in the National Sale can be shown the following day in the National Junior Show.  The facilities are excellent, the fun is contagious and a family event that will be remembered for many years awaits all Southdown enthusius.

Iowa Show Cancelled

The Association office has been notified by Randy Lewis that the Iowa Youth breeding show to be held this coming weekend, June 14th, has been cancelled.  The show to be held in Adel, Iowa has been cancelled due to the severe flooding in Iowa.

National Sale "Live" on Internet

The National Southdown Sale in 2007 introduced the internet to Southdown breeders by posting 3 views of all Southdowns offer for sale at the 2007 New England Sale.  The 2008 auction will be live on the internet.  Bid from the comfort of your den or study.  Investigate in advance how this works by going to the Wiloughby Site or the Auction Site .

We are fortunate to have Mike Crowder as our sale manager and he has introduced these progressive ideas to the National Southdown Sale.  Consigners that want additional information about their sheep or a link to photos of the sale sheep should contact Mike HERE.

These sites will be posted on the front page of this web as the sale date gets closer.

08 Midwest Catalog

We continue to work on opening the web site.We never had the codes to move the site and we have been unable to make contact with Janet Childs.  She created to site and retained the codes we need.  While we could create a new site, we need a transfer to retain the name " southdownsheep.org."  We have been know for several years by that name and it is our desire to retian it.  Continue checking the news page for info until we are able to obtain the transfer.

The Southdown Catalog for the 2008 Midwest Stud Ram Sale may be viewed HERE.

Summer Journal

While we continue to be locked out of our web site, we can post items at outher locations on the internet and link you to them from this page.  The 08 Summer Journal a a very large single file, but it can be viewed HERE.

Two youth events that will happen in June.  They are the Illinois Southdown Experience On June 7 in Eureka, Illinois and the Iowa Sheep and Wool Festible on June 14 & 15 in Adel, Iowa

Complete 08 Ohio Sale Results

We are having a small problem with the main web site.  The final Ohio Sale results can be viewed here.

OHIO CLASSIC AVERAGES $755

The price of feed and diesel did not dampen the desire to buy Southdowns. The Ohio Sale averaged $775 on 192 head. The sale was topped by the champion ewe of Pleasant Springs Southdown. The yearling sold for $9500 going to Olivia Waggoner of Berlin, PA. 56 yearling ewes averaged $847. Northern Star sold yearlings for $1700 & $1400. Willwerth $2100, Pleasant Springs $2000, Oldenberg $2600 and Splenderview for $1700 and $1150.

The champion Ram was a fall lamb of Norther Star going for $5750 to Derek Wilson of Titusville, PA. The senior reserve was also a fall lamb of Fielder Southdowns selling for $850. The reserve champion and junior champion ram was the January lamb from A&M Ranch selling for $3000 and the reserve junior was sold by Rinker Southdowns for $475.

The reserve ewe and junior champion was the February lamb of B & B Howard selling for $1250. senior reserve was the yearling of Splenderview. The junior reserve was the January lamb of Northern Star Livestock selling for $800.

Fall ewe lambs sold very well with Northern Star bringing $2750, Pleasant Springs $2500, Hopkins $1700 and Willwerth $1200. 24 averaged $822. 60 of the 65 ewe lambs were nominated for the futurity. High sellers were Pleasant Springs $1100, Fielder $1200,A&M Ranch $1800 & $1000, B & B Howard $1600 & $1150, Forsee $1450 & $1000, Splenderview $1350 and Mapolyne $1350. 23 January ewe lambs averaged $564 and 41 February averaged $659.

12 yearling rams averaged $841 with Davis Family getting $2500, Northern Star $1600, Pleasant Spring $1100 and B & B Howard $1000.16 Fall rams averaged $937. Oldenberg sold for $1050, Fielder $1750 and Pleasant Springs $1100. Pleasant Springs was also the winner of the best consignment award.

11 January ram lambs averaged $1150 and 9 February ram lambs averaged $411. High selling lambs were Willwerth $1100, Hopkins $1500 and MB Genetics $4000. Forsee sold a February lamb for $1200.

Wisconsin Junior Southdown Association

On March 30, 2008, at the Arlington WI Agriculture Research Center, the Wisconsin Jr. Southdown Association was founded. About 25 interested junior members met in a separate room and formed the Jr. Association, while the adults formed the Wisconsin Southdown Association.
The juniors elected four officers. The new president is John Jones of Rio WI and the Vice President is Kelsi Smerchek of Rosholt WI. The secretary/treasurer is Hannah Shultz from Fort Atkinson, WI and the reporter is Hannah Taylor from Arlington WI. They plan to meet twice a year at shows, where a large number of members are present. Examples of these shows are Spring Preview and Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival. Wisconsin is one of the few states to have a Junior Southdown Association. For contact information, see the Wisconsin Southdown Breeders Association website (www.wisconsinsouthdowns.com).

State News on the WEB

A new feature has been started offering state and regional Southdown groups the space to post their news on the BREEDERLINK web page.  That is one of the pages under the CONTACT link.  While you are reviewing the state news, visit the various breeder web links that are listed on that page.  Watch the page in the future as more local Southdown groups list their information and be on the lookout for ideas that will work in your area.

Spring Journal in the Mail

      The Spring 2008 Journal will be mailed March 28, 2008.  For those who want to see it now, look on line.  It has been divided into 4 parts to download quicker.  Look under "News" and select "Journal".

     Entries for the National Sale are due May 1, 2008.  The entry form is page 22.

     New this year for Futurity ewe lambs, the junior must bring the lamb to the Association official at the sale so the scrapie tag number can be recorded.  The mess of the green ink for the "F" tattoo is a thing of the past.

West Coast Show Sponsorships

Southdown Breeders are being given the chance to sponsor additional awards at both the Cow Palace this spring and the California State Fair nexr fall when it hosts the Western Regional Junior Southdown show. To help support these two events contact Sami  Meyers at MMSouthdowns@aol.com  or by phone at 530 /432-2483

Committee Appointments Announced

     Lee Pettey has announced the Association committee appointments for 2008. They may be viewed by checking here.

     Winter Texas shows are in full swing with Fort Worth, Austin and San Antonio having taken place.  Open show results in San Antonio can be viewed here.   Junior show results.

Wisconsin Forming Southdown Association

After a decade of tremendous growth of the breed in the state of Wisconsin, breeders and Southdown enthusiasts are invited to a meeting on March 30 at 1:00 PM at the UW Headquarters Building in Arlington, WI to discuss forming a Wisconsin Southdown Association. The agenda will include determining purpose, organizational structure and goals of the new organization. Barbara Bishop, Region 2 At Large Director of the ASBA (American Southdown Breeders Association) commented, "As I have been talking to breeders and youth in the state during the last year, there is much interest and excitement to form this Association and continue the momentum we have going for the breed in Wisconsin".

In the last few years, Wisconsin has consistently been in the top 5 states in the country having the most registrations and transfers. In addition, Southdowns have become the largest breed in most Wisconsin youth and open shows during the last five years. In 2007, more National Champion Southdown Sale and Show ewes were bred in Wisconsin than any other state.

Information about the Wisconsin Southdown Association and the organizational meeting can be found at the Association’s new web page:  www.wisconsinsouthdowns.com  or by contacting John Jones, AJSA (American Junior Southdown Association) Region 2 Ambassador at (608)253-5110.

California Starts New Southdown Association

Sami Meyers reports that the CSBA is taking membership for 2008 and  the newly formed association is looking for members from all 50 states, not just California. They will be sending out information thru the Journal, email, and a News Letter.  If interested contact Sami Meyers - MMSouthdowns@aol.com or by phone @ (530) 432-2483

Gary Kwisnek receives Award

Gary Kwisnek became the recipient of the first Spirit of the Breed award.  This announcement was made at the 125th annual meeting of the membership in Louisville, Kentucky. 

A number of very qualified applications were received this year, and certainly all are worthy of this award that is given to someone who has shown exemplary service to the breed.

It was stated in the introduction of Gary that "Gary is one of the select few who has given his life to the ASBA, and dedicated his entire life to the Southdown breed."

Our congratulations to Gary for this honor.

ASBA Lamb Morbidity/Mortality Reporting

The American Southdown Sheep Breeders’ Association Board of Directors is looking at morbidity/mortality in Southdown lambs due to unknown causes.  Reports of Hairy Lambs in Southdown’s are at the forefront of this effort, however, this form can be used to report other issues not yet identified as a concern.  To assist with determining the level of occurrence the Board is asking ASBA members to voluntarily report suspect morbidity/mortality occurrences in lambs their flocks.  Completed copies of this form should be sent to the ASBA office.  Individual information will be kept confidential.  As a whole the information will be used to determine level of occurrence and contributing circumstances, and will be reported to the membership.

To print a copy of the for click HERE.

Southdown Supreme Champion Ewe

The 125th celebration conntinued on to Friday when the Champion Southdown Ewe was selected as the Supreme Champion Ewe for the 2007 North American Livestoce Exposition.  The ewe was owned and exhibited by Pleasant Springs Spouthdowns of Stoughton, Wisconsin.   The last Southdown Ewe to be honored with this selection goes back to 1988 on Block "597" owned by Terry Block.  Interestingly, in 1983 Centennial Lady owned by Mark and Dale Smith was also Supreme Champion Ewe.  In 1982, our 100th Celebration, Centennial Lady was the Champion Southdown ewe as a lamb.

Southdown named Supreme Champion

A Southdown was named Supreme Champion Breeding Sheep at the Wisconsin State Fair Junior Show, judged by Craig Beckmier, on August 9th. The Yearling ewe was bred, owned and shown by John Jones, Rio, WI. The award includes the use of a Featherlite Trailer, generously donated by Gold Medal Trailers of Merrill, WI. The Southdown Show included 44 head shown by 12 youth.   

MidWest Sale Damp and Cool

Rain and cool temperatures greeted the 2007 Southdown buyers at the MidWest Stud Ram Sale.  173 sheep averaged $603.32.  Champion ram was the January Forcee lamb selling for $3000.  Reserve was from McElvain on the fall senior champion selling at $900.  Senior reserve ram was a Cole/Meisenhimer entry going for $600 and junior reserve was on McGuire March ram selling at $1250.

Champion ewe was the class 2 yearling from B & B Howard selling for $3200. Reserve ewe was the second place yearling from the same class of Olson Brothers selling for $2500.  Junior champion was from Duron Howard on a February ewe lamb bought for $5250. Junior reserve was on a $1250 Forsee Ferbruary ewe lamb.

Seven yearling rams averaged $421 with high seller a yearling from Duron Howard for $1200.  Ten fall rams averaged $607 with Fielder at $1600 and Willwerth $950 high sellers.  Ten January ram lambs brought a $500 average with a Bishop lamb bringing $1150.  Ten February lambs averaged $577 and 7 March rams averaged $482.

36 yearlings ewes averaged $792.  Other high sellers were Pleasant Springs at $1500, Willwerth for $1400 and Bishop at $1200.  20 fall ewes averaged $687 with Cole/Meisenheimer at $1300, Willwerth at $1250 and McCrumb at $1200.  Seven January ewes averaged $832 with a Bishop lamb and a Moran lamb going for $1200.  39 February lambs averaged $599.  In addition to the juniors champion and reserve from this class, Forsee sold for $1300 and McCrumb for $1100.  27 March lambs averaged $360 with a $1000 Forsee lamb being the high seller.

The show was judged by Shawn Ramsey of Texas A&M University.

Junior Preview Shows

The Wisconsin Preview Show , the Ilinois Southdown Experience and the IowaJunior Sheep Extravaganza were all dominated by Southdowns.  All 3 shows were over the June 9 & 10 weekend.  At left are the exhibitors at Wisconsin.  Other photos can be seen on the web by following the "Weekend Show Photos" link.

Ohio Sale Averages $822

An excellent set of sheep averaged $822 at Eaton, Ohio  on May 12, 2007.  The leading averages were yearling rams $1222, January ewe lambs $925 and yearling ewe $780.  165 sheep sold.  The champion ram was high seller for Plesant Springs bringing $4500, a yearling.  High selling ewe was a MB Genetics yearling bringing $3200.  Reserve champion ram was the Hopkins fall ram lamb bring $2400.  Junior champion was sold by MB Genetics for $2700.  Reserve junior champion was from Splenderview selling for $350.  40 rams sold.
The champion ewe was sold by B&B Howard for $1300 on a yearling and the reserve champion ewe, also a yearling, was sold by Plesant Springs for $2250.  The junior champion was the January lamb of Fielder's selling for $3000 and the reserve junior champion was the Febuary lamb of Choma Southdowns going for $2250.
Plesant Springs won the best consignment award.  Once offical, the full results will be posted. Official results here.

Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival

The Southdown breed captured two Supreme Champion awards in the meat breeds division at the Wisconsin Sheep and Wool Festival, September 10 & 11 in Jefferson. In the Open Show judged by Sara Kuykendall, a fall ewe lamb won the Supreme Ewe award. In the Junior Show judged by Steve Bingen, a yearling ewe was named Supreme Champion Ewe. Both ewes were shown by John Jones of Rio, WI. The open and junior shows included 16 breeds of sheep and a market lamb show. Southdowns had the largest number of entries both days with 33 head in the open show and 8 exhibitors, and the junior division had 31 head shown by 13 junior Southdown members.

National Junior Show Results

      Megan Bishop, Junior Asociation President, exhibits her Champion Ewe at the National Southdown Junior Show held at the Ohio State Fair August 6, 2006.  30 juniors exhibited 160 head. 

     Megan won all clases except the yearling ram, had both champions and won all group classes.  The complete results can be see at CLICK HERE

Southdowns Dominate AllAmerican

      It took more than rain and floods to keep the Junior Southdown Exhibitors away from the 2006 All American in Springfield, MA.  Once there, the over 250 Southdowns demonstrated why we are the breed chosen by Juniors.  In addition to an excellent show judged by David Sims of Illinois, juniors participated in Wool Shows, Skill-A-Thon, Showmanship Classes, Top Gun Awards, and a 3 on 3 Basketball in the Basketball Hall of Fame.  Plus, all the lobsters and clams on the east coast were consumed in a Lobster and Clambake Dinner along with a Pool Party.
     Jessica Hopkins was the Southdown "Top Gun". She won champion ewe and champion ram was by Megan Bishop.  Megan gave Jessica a close run in the "Top Gun' competition.  Please view the result of the Juniors, some coming from 35 hours away to participate, in the RESULTS PAGE.

Southdown Supreme Ewe at Iowa Junior Show

                        Austin Lewis exhibited the supreme Champion Ewe at the Iowa Junior Show June 11, 2006. It was held at Adel, Iowa in conjunction with the Iowa Sheep & Wool Festival. The Regional Jr. Dorset Show was also held at the event, with a class of Hampshires, Southdowns and Suffolks. Brad Angus was the Judge. The show was sponsored by the Iowa Sheep Council, American Southdown Breeders Sheep Assoc, Gopher Hawkeye Southdown Assoc. and other breeds and individual breeders.

Illinois Juniors "Experience" Southdowns

 

    Despite rain and cool temperatures, 23 Junior exhibitors gathered at a county fairground on June 10 to "Expreience Southdowns."    It was the 6th annual Southdown Experience that includes a Southdown quiz, equipment identification and a social gathering combined with the typical sheep show.  All Juniors received T-shirts donated by the Ken Johnson and Mark and Amy Johnson families.  The prizes were sheep eqipment donated by Brad and Rhonda Baer and Millerdowns.  The event concluded with a pizza lunch sponsored by Gale Cole, Betsy Meisenmeimer and Jamie Bowman.

       This was the 13th year the Illinois Association had sponsored a ewe lamb essay contest.  This years winner, Amy Loschen, is presented  the ewe lamb by Illinois Association president, Mark Johson.  The ewe lamb was donated by the Jim Davis Family.

Association adopts Codon 171 sale warranty

The Board of Director's of the American Southdown Breeders' Association took another positive step forward with the passage of a sale warranty concerning the codon 171 genotype.

The following sale warranty will be effective November 1,2007.  This warranty will apply to all breeding sheep sold at a ASBA sanctioned sale.

"Registered Southdowns of either genotype, QR or RR will be allowed to sell.  Each consignor must declare and guarantee the genetic makeup of each of their entries with respect to scrapie susceptibility(codon 171).  Any registered Southdown may be sold as long as this information is provided at the time paper check-in prior to the start of the show for sale.  DNA test results are not required and consignors may declare and guarantee the genotypes of their entries based solely on pedigree.  Genotype information (QR or RR) will be printed on the sale order, which is prepared following the show for sale order.

Any buyer who wishes to have the benefit of this guarantee must have the animal DNA tested, at the buyer's expense, to confirm whether or not the sheep is as declared by the seller with respect to scrapie susceptibility.  Such testing must be performed within 60 days of the date of the sale.

If a sheep is determined by the buyer's DNA testing to be of a lesser genotype than that declared by the consignor at the sale, the seller shall have the option of having the animal retested at seller's expense.  The seller must arrange for such testing within two weeks of receipt of buyer's test results or a mutually agreeable timetable.  In the event there is a conflict between the two tests, a third test will immediately be run with the cost of such third test to be equally shared by the buyer and seller.

If the animal is determined to be a lesser genotype then declared by the consignor or if the seller fails to provide for a retest, the sheep shall be returned to the seller with the cost associated with the transportation being equally shared by the buyer and seller.

The seller shall refund the full purchase price of the animal promptly, with all fees and percentages levied against the animal retained by the sale.

This guarantee shall constitute a contract between the buyer and the seller only.  No other parties, including but not limited to the American Southdown Breeders' Association, Sale Management and sponsoring organizations, shall assume any liability, legal or otherwise, express or implied.  Sellers failing to comply with the spirit of these provision will be subject to being barred from future ASBA sanctioned sales."

Please contact the ASBA office if you have questions concerning this new policy.