Sheep Industry News March 2023

Obituary

In 1978, Don was elected secretary of the National Wool Growers Association – a forerunner organization to today’s American Sheep Industry Association. He went on to serve as both vice chairman and chairman of NWGA in the years that followed. He was also a past president of the Wyoming Wool Growers Association and the Wyoming Livestock Board. “Everything he did was based on improving not only his operation but the entire sheep industry,” Keeler said. “He was always ready to try new things. Lots of people called him for advice through the years, and he was straight forward with what he knew to work and what he knew didn’t work. He utilized the practices that he endorsed.” Despite his advanced age, Don was active in state and national sheep industry meetings until the Covid-19 pandemic limited his travel. But his influence within the industry won’t soon be forgotten. “He was just someone who was always there and willing to help,” recalls Jim Magagna, a past president of both ASI and the Wyoming Wool Growers. “He was highly respected by everyone who knew him, and he was always very generous financially both in and out of the sheep industry.” According to a story in the March 1981 National Wool Grower, Don graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in agriculture and served in the United States Air Force. Don and his brother were instrumental in establishing Meike’s Bunkhouse, a senior housing facility in Kaycee that they dedicated to their parents and grandparents. Don was a big supporter of the Kaycee Sheepherders Rodeo, the Deke Latham Memorial Rodeo and was inducted into the Wyoming Agriculture Hall of Fame. He is survived by one brother, Peter Meike of Kaycee; one sister Emma Lee Koch also of Kaycee; and numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents and two sisters, Helen Keeler and Barbara Wolcott. Don was a longtime board member of ASI’s Sheep Heritage Foundation, and as such memorial contributions may be made to the foundation in his name. Visit SheepUSA.org/about-join donate-donate for more information on the foundation.

DON MEIKE, 1929-2023 Wyoming rancher Don Meike – who served as president of the National Wool Growers Association – passed away at home in Kaycee, Wyo., on Feb. 2, 2023. He was 93. Don was born to Peter and

Naomi (Streeter) Meike on May 8, 1929. Don and his brother, Peter “Peto” Meike, continued to operate the Meike Ranch in Kaycee, Wyo., since forming a partnership with their father in 1949. The century ranch was established in 1901 by the brothers’ grandfather, Emil Meike. While major portions of the ranch land have been sold in recent years and the brothers

moved out of the main ranch home, they continued to oversee operations as they produced sheep and cattle on a smaller scale. While Don enjoyed the social aspect of the industry, Peter was often content to stay home on the ranch and tend to the animals. “They were equal partners in the ranch, and they were a per fect combination of skills,” said Don’s niece, Lisa Keeler. “They complimented each other very well.” The Meikes were well-known for their efforts at successfully grafting lambs within their extensive shed lambing operation. “If they had a ewe who could support twins but only had a single lamb, they wouldn’t just graft one lamb. They’d put that ewe’s lamb on another ewe who might only be able to support one and graft a set of twins to the first ewe,” said Keeler, who worked on the operation at various times and now lives on a small piece of the family ranch. “If she could raise twins, she got twins. Every ewe got the lambs they could handle to maximize their potential.”

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Kyle, please use this for all months. Thanks! Judy 8/7/18