Sheep Industry News October 2023

tized the finished lamb. Are they filling out that frame, that struc ture? Then, we’re talking about a pen of three, is there consistency in terms of size? That’s what I was looking for today.” Following Piper’s comments on how she judged each pen, Abdullah Hussaini of Equity Cooperative Livestock – and a mem ber of ASI’s Lamb Council – offered thoughts on the local lamb market, which caters to ethnic buyers throughout the Midwest and East Coast. Results from the carcass judging weren’t available as of press time on this issue. PRODUCER EDUCATION The festival’s Sheep 101 (Friday) and Profit Workshop (Saturday) classes offered sheep producers an educational opportunity that touched on topics ranging from grazing and finishing lambs on pasture to basic shepherding skills to fencing options, and market ing of meat and fiber. Forrest also provided a discussion on lamb cuts and a cooking demonstration at each of the classes. “I’ve been raising sheep for over a decade,” said Waldo, Wis., based producer Heather Wroblewski, who attended the Profit Workshop. “But I started out raising goats, so I’m more familiar with dairy goats than sheep. So, there’s always something to learn. I graze my sheep, and that was challenging this year with the drought that we had. Normally, I wouldn’t start feeding hay until October at the earliest. This year, we were feeding hay in June.” Wroblewski was drawn to the class by Randy Cutler’s fencing segment, adding that she has a steep pasture that is usable only for grazing. “I’ve looked online, but it was nice to get a real overview of the fencing options that are out there. I’d like to take advantage of this gorgeous pasture, but it’s useless without fencing.” ADDITIONAL EVENTS The festival offered plenty of other options for exposing the public to the sheep and fiber industry. Among them was a unique offering in the Walk and Knit (and Walk and Crochet) Relay Challenge. Each contest required teams of knitters (or crocheters) to navigate obstacles along a quarter

mile section of street while performing their particular fiber skill. Obstacles this year included a slalom section, rocking for a minute and singing Ba Ba Black Sheep to a group of sheep as spectators lined the course and cheered them on. “That’s something our volunteers came up with,” Black said. “I didn’t tell them to develop a walk and knit challenge. I don’t know that anyone else has something like that. It’s a fun event that people enjoy watching.” A more traditional sheep to shawl competition also took place, and the fleece show drew dozens of entries in a wide range of colors that were sure to catch any fiber enthusiasts’ attention. There was a silent auction to benefit the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative and a live auction of used equipment that offered everything from spinning wheels to ear tags to fencing. Forrest offered his final lamb cooking demonstration of the weekend on Sunday afternoon. He was feeding the show’s masses as the sheep to shawl competition ended with a vocal countdown just a few feet away. Throughout the weekend, those in attendance got an up-close look at lambing as a handful of ewes from the University of Wis consin’s Arlington Sheep Unit were specifically bred to give birth during the festival. A few, of course, dropped twins before even heading to Jefferson. In the same barn where ewes bonded with their new lambs, the festival offered a Hall of Breeds. A dozen different breeds were on display throughout the weekend. And the area provided the unini tiated an opportunity to milk sheep, as well. Just down the way, a variety of antique shearing equipment sat on display and shearing demonstrations took place throughout the day thanks to Huber’s Sheep Shearing. Off on a distant field, the Crook and Whistle Stock Dog Trials turned into an all-day event during each of the festival’s three days. “Thanks to all of our volunteers, we’re putting on a festival that we can all be proud of,” Black said. “There’s always room for improvement. We’d like to see more involvement from some of the state’s sheep producers, and we’re working on that. I’d just encour age everyone to come out to our festival. I think they’ll enjoy the time they spend here.”

14 • Sheep Industry News • sheepusa.org