Sheep Industry News July 2023

W all Meat Processing – a small meat processing plant in Wall, S.D. – has opened new opportunities for South Dakota's lamb industry by becoming the state's first certified Cooperative Interstate Shipment facility, overseen by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. A number of key people in the sheep industry attended this milestone event in late May as Wall Meats stamped the first lambs with this new certification. The CIS certification opens doors for local lamb and meat producers, positioning South Dakota's meat industry for growth and success and bringing benefits to producers, consumers and the local economy. Under CIS, state-inspected plants can operate as federally inspected facilities, with specific conditions. Currently 10 states participate in the CIS program, including South Dakota. The CIS program is limited to plants with 25 or fewer employees, must be in the 29 states that have established a Meat and Poultry Inspection Program, and maintain “at least equal to” Food Safety Inspection Service regulatory standards. Under the CIS program, Wall Meats and its producers can now sell meat products across state lines, offering new selling opportunities. This development is particularly exciting for Kitzan Family Farms of Nisland, S.D., whose lambs were the first to be inspected and stamped, and can now sell their products to schools, institutions and individuals out of state who are seeking high-quality, South Dakota lamb. This new certification could lead to increased demand for locally produced meats, benefiting producers by expanding their customer base. “South Dakota has a tremendous reputation for producing high-quality proteins, and the demand for lamb is increasing,” said South Dakota Sheep Growers Association Lamb Promo tion Chair Tammy Basel. “For many years, I have promoted and served lamb samples at the Black Hills motorcycle rally. They often ask how they can buy South Dakota lamb in their home state. What Wall Meats has done is blown the door wide open for retail and personal sales opportunities across state lines.” “The ability to sell South Dakota's finest lamb to a wider audi ence and promote the benefits of locally sourced, high-quality products ensures a brighter future for the agricultural communi ty and its consumers,” said Gwen Kitzan of Kitzan Family Farms. Source: Wall Meats S.D. Lamb Benefits From CIS Certification

Oregon Contest Announces Winning Shearers

T he Douglas County Shearing School was held in conjunc tion with the Douglas County Lamb Show in Roseburg, Ore., on June 3. Shearers from all across the state, California and Montana participated in the event with cash, handpieces and wool bedding as the prizes. In the open division, Chad Furlong of Roseburg, Ore., took first place, followed by John Quimby of Idleyld Park, Ore., and Duke Christner of Roseburg. Michael Estes of Prineville, Ore., won the intermediate division, followed by Pony Jacobson of Astoria, Ore., and Leeland Prock of Lebanon, Ore. Ty Terry of Oakland, Ore., took first in the beginner division, while Logan Anderson of Rose burg was second and Lois Valentine of Crabtree, Ore., was third. Leon Gilbreath, Dan Dawson and Furlong provided sheep for the contest, which is held in conjunction with the Douglas County Lamb Show as an effort to expose the public to the process of com

mercial shearing. The Umpqua Valley Spinners and Weavers Guild also had demonstrations of spinning, carding and weaving with many wool creations on display. The day culminated with a lamb barbecue and market lamb sale for 4-H and FFA students. Participants would like to thank Furlong and Dawson for their commitment to keeping this event viable and the sponsors of the event: Douglas County Livestock Association, Douglas County Farm Bureau, Western Video Market, Reed Anderson, Emigh Live stock – Ryan Mahoney, Ewescan - Tony Wutzke, Kaos Sheep Outfit, Pendleton Woolen Mill, Landquip, Heiniger USA, Chris Cornett and the Dawson Family. A special thanks to the contest judges for their continued sup port: Randy Helms, Bob Murray, Harry Thomas, Paul Crawford, Chad Anderson and Mark Nicholls.

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