Southdown News

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.

Ideal Southdown Ewe

The American Southdown Breeders’ Association announces the unveiling of the Ideal Southdown Ewe. The limited edition sculpture, a cold cast porcelain statue, was designed and created by renown livestock artist CM Herden. The statue is available for sale from the Association office. The cost is $95 plus $8 for shipping. It comes complete with a wooden base, with a brass plate and a signed certificate. Born and raised in the Big Sky country on a ranch in Montana, CM Herden has a strong background in cattle, horses, sheep and many other animals of the west . Growing up on a working ranch has given Herden the knowledge of these animals that very few have the opportunity to experience. From Suffolk and Columbia sheep to market steers and lambs for 4-H and FFA, growing up there were very few days that Herden didn’t work first hand with livestock. Order at : American Southdown Breeders Association, 100 Cornerstone Road, Fredonia, Texas 76842