Sheep Industry News January 2024

one of the first calls I made was to Larry Prager,” wrote NDSU’s Dr. Christopher Schauer. “I haven’t stopped calling yet, and he always an swers the phone and helps me with my questions. He truly is giving back to the industry as a mentor, teacher and friend.” MCCLURE SILVER RAM Nick Forrest has been an ambassador for American lamb for as long as anyone can remember. A past president and member of the American Lamb Board, he might be best known for his lamb cooking demonstrations that have taken place at state sheep associa tion meetings, sheep and wool festivals and countless grocery stores throughout the United States. While he tends to travel in the Eastern half of the country, he’s well known as a lambassador who entertains crowds while his wife, Kathy, does a lot of the prep work to feed the hungry masses he’s convinced to try American lamb. A sheep producer himself, Forrest has previously served as president of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association as well as on the board of the Ohio Sheep and Wool Program – a state check-off program. “I’m going to the Michigan state meeting the week before the ASI Convention, so when (OSIA Executive Director) Roger High called to ask if I was going to ASI this year, I told him I might stay home this year,” Forrest said. “But he said, ‘I really think you need to be there.’ “This is a very distinguished award, and I’m happy to receive it. Traveling to a lot of state association meetings and festivals, I see the passion that people have for American lamb just like Kathy and I do. And, I’m happy to see that. It’s fun to talk to people who share that passion.” DISTINGUISHED PRODUCER Like some of the other award winners, Brent and Tracie Roeder have contributed to the American sheep industry in countless ways during a lifetime of involvement. Brent grew up on a sheep opera tion in Texas before making his way to Montana. After managing the Sieben Livestock Company, he and Tracie forged their own path with an operation that spawned two companies: Montana Sheep Com pany and Montana Wool Company. Raising quality sheep would have been enough to earn the couple ASI’s Distinguished Producer award, but they took it a step further in developing direct marketing opportunities for both their lamb and value-added wool products. While Brent routinely credits Tracie for handling the family’s successful wool venture, he draws extra praise from producers throughout Big Sky Country for his work as the state’s extension specialist for range sheep production. “He provides practical solutions to all that he serves,” read a nomination letter from Merrill McKamey. “Without Brent’s contin ued involvement and good relations with university administrators, the recent decisions to reinvest in the Montana State University Wool Lab would not have been accomplished. Their insight and advice

have gone above and beyond in providing expertise to sheep produc ers.” True to form, the Roeders said their contributions to the industry wouldn’t have been possible without others who helped them along the way. “This award is a testament to the character of the American sheep industry, in particular the Montana Wool Growers, Targhee breeders and Texas Sheep & Goat Raisers,” Brent and Tracie said. “Every step of the way from our youth to the present, we have had tremendous mentorship through 4-H and FFA, fellow producers and extension professionals. Any success we’ve enjoyed has been because someone took the time to listen and advise us. Folks always helped. Our industry has a rich history of sharing knowledge and bringing young people to the table. It is an honor just to be nominated. We are stunned and grateful to receive the Distinguished Producer Award.” SHEPHERD’S VOICE A 26-year veteran of farm broadcasting in Colorado, Lorrie Boyer has covered several intriguing issues at the local, state and national levels while building a longstanding relationship with a multitude of agricultural associations along the way. She serves as farm director and morning show host at KSIR Radio in Fort Morgan, Colo. In ad dition, she regularly appears on RFD-TV and produces the Ag Queen podcast. Boyer previously served as president of the National Association of Farm Broadcasting and has covered a number of sheep industry stories through the years, including Farm Bill priorities, lamb mar kets and the increasing supply of imported lamb. “I have truly enjoyed working with ASI over the years, always good interviews and have always had a good relationship with (Executive Director) Peter Orwick and the association’s presidents. It is especially fun catching up at the National Association of Farm Broadcasting convention each year and learning more about what current issues and initiatives that ASI is working on.”

Nick Forrest

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