Sheep Industry News December 2021

Around the States SOUTH DAKOTA CLEMENTS HONORED AS MASTER PRODUCER

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ity has been evident with top sheep sale prices this past summer. Shady Lane Farms sold the top ewes at the SDSGA Premium Ewe Sale in Huron, S.D., and had the highest-selling ram at the NSIP sale in Spencer, Iowa. Source: Capital Journal

The South Dakota Master Lamb Producers Association has recognized excellence in sheep production and management by innovative producers for more than four decades. After a 2020 gap year, South Dakota State University Small Ruminant Extension Spe cialist Kelly Froehlich was able to award two South Dakota produc ers at the 84th South Dakota Sheep Growers Annual Convention in Pierre, S.D., this year. The 2021 Master Lamb Producer recognized in the Purebred Division was Shady Lane Farms from Redfield, S.D., and the Feeder Lamb Producer Division recognized Pam and Steve Clements and family from Philip, S.D. The Clements Ranch is a third-generation ranch owned by Pam and Steve Clements. Along with their family, the Clements raise 300 Targhee-based ewes in Philip, S.D. The flock is focused on maternal traits and features a quality wool clip that has been previously sold to the United States military for uniforms, as well as Faribault Woolen Mills. All of the ewes are bred to a terminal sire, and lambs are raised on well-managed grasslands and sold as feeders. The Clements have also been highly involved in the sheep indus try. Steve has served on numerous committees and in leadership roles for both the South Dakota Sheep Growers Association and ASI with the strong support of his wife and family to keep the ranch running. Clements currently serves on the ASI Executive Board representing Region IV and is co-chair of ASI's Resource Manage ment Council and Predator Management Committee. Shady Lane Farms is owned by Nicole Jessen along with her husband, Chad; two kids, Cael and Della; and dog, Trixie, and it is home to a flock of 150 registered Polypays and 50 commercial ewes. The farm flock is registered in the National Sheep Improvement Program and boasts quality ewe lamb and ram genetics. Their qual

TEXAS SONORA STATION GETS HISTORICAL MARKER

A Texas historical marker was placed at the Texas A&M AgriLife Research Sonora Station on Oct. 16 to commemorate the station’s valuable contributions to agricultural research in the state. The Sonora Station – now part of the Texas A&M AgriLife center at San Angelo – has a history that goes back more than 105 years. Since its founding, it has been an integral part of success in the research, development and demonstration of agriculture on the Edwards Plateau. It has been a central gathering place for area ranching families, as well as scientists and students from all around the world. The idea of a Texas Agricultural Experiment Station was hatched during the inaugural convention of the Texas Sheep and Goat Rais ers’ Association in Del Rio, Texas. The association then reached out for support from Texas A&M University and the Texas legislature. The station was in use by 1916, financed in equal parts by the legis lature and area ranchers. Following the station’s 100 year anniversary celebration – held in April 2016 – an endowment fund for the Sonora Research Sta tion was established to raise funds to ensure another 100 years of continuing research. “For over 100 years, the Texas A&M AgriLife Sonora Station – originally called Substation 14 – has been an invaluable resource for rangeland and livestock research,” said Reid Redden, Ph.D., sheep and goat specialist and Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Exten sion Center director. “We are honored to have a historical marker placed at the Sonora center.” Pavers – which will surround the marker outside the Sonora Station – are available to be sponsored and may be engraved with a family, ranch name or in memoriam. “The Sonora Endowment committee is leading a project to allow people to honor family members on a paver that hopefully will be around for the next 100 years,” Redden said. “Proceeds will go toward research conducted at the center.” Commemorative pavers are available in two sizes: 4×8 inches for $100 or 12×12 inches for $250. Order forms are available online. For additional information, contact Phyllis Benge, AgriLife Research senior administrative coordinator at p-benge@tamu.edu or 325-657-7333. Source: Texas A&M AgriLife

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