Convention 2016 - Montana Wool Growers Associationmtsheep.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Convention-final2.compressed.pdfNovember 3-5, 2016 Lamb 300 Course Laramie, WY November 9,

Summer 2016 Issue Convention 2016

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Montana Wool Growers Association P.O. Box 1693

Helena, MT 59624 (406) 442-1330 ~ [email protected]

President Dave McEwen (Lenora)

1334 Coal Mine Road Galata, MT 59444

(406) 937-5845 [email protected]

Vice President

Kevin Halverson (Shirley) 137 Lower Deer Creek Road

Big Timber, MT 59011 (406) 932-6600

[email protected]

Directors Ken McKamey (Phyllis)

1909 Millegan Road Great Falls, MT 59405


Mike Hollenbeck (Eva) 4950 Austrian Pine Dr.

Billings, MT 59106 (406) 669-3179 Ranch

(406) 425-1525 Cell [email protected]

Dana Penrod (Marty)

51 Perkins Lane Miles City, MT 59301


Duane Talcott (Debbie) P.O. Box 255

Hammond, MT 59332 (406) 427-5482

[email protected]

Sam Ortmann (Nancy) 4169 Road 1081

Wolf Point, MT 59201 (406) 392-5356

[email protected]

Bob Walker 2283 Hwy 200

Richey, MT 59259 (406) 773-5706

[email protected]

Ben Lehfeldt (Jamie) PO Box 195

Lavina, MT 59046 (406) 321-1097

[email protected]

Honorary Presidents

Lawrence Capra Joe Helle

Vern Keller Bill Lehfeldt John Paugh

Important Numbers

MSU Extension Sheep Specialist Dr. Whit Stewart (406) 994-3758

Board of Livestock Sheep Rep.

John Lehfeldt (406) 636-4212

American Sheep Industry Assn. (ASI)

(303) 771-3500

Scrapie Tag Ordering Information (866) 873-2824

Online Sheep Transportation Permits

http://app.mt.gov/sheep

Governor Steve Bullock (406) 444-3111

Senator Jon Tester

(202) 224-2644

Senator Steve Daines (202) 224-2651

Representative Ryan Zinke

(202) 225-3211

MWGA Dues

Dues to the Montana Wool Growers Association are $20 per membership plus $.06 per pound of wool (or $.60 per sheep). The $20 covers the cost of the Montana Wool Grower Magazine, membership in the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI) and the ASI Newsletter that each member receives. The additional six cents per pound is what the Association operates on as it works to improve the opportunities for raising sheep and wool in Montana.

About the Cover: Chet Holmes, Eastern Montana Fairgrounds Keeper, got the bird’s eye view on the rams in the new livestock pavilion during the sifting phase of Ram Sale. Photo courtesy of Chet Holmes.

Deadline for the Convention Issue will be January 29th, 2017

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Glasgow Stockyards, Inc. Glasgow, MT

(406) 228-9306 www.glasgowstockyards.com

Headwaters Livestock Auction

Three Forks, MT (406) 285-0502

www.headwaterslivestock.com

Lewistown Livestock Auction Lewistown, MT (406) 538-3471

www.lewistownlivestock.com

Public Auction Yards Billings, MT

www.publicauctionyards.com (406) 245-6447

Western Livestock Auction Great Falls, MT (406) 727-5400

www.westernlivestockmontana.com

Sidney Livestock Market Center Sidney, MT

(406) 482-3513 www.sidneylivestock.com

Bowman Auction Market

Bowman, ND (701) 523-5922

www.bowmanauctionmarket.com

St. Onge Livestock Newell, SD

(605) 642-2200 www.stongelivestock.com

Save the Date November 3-5, 2016 Lamb 300 Course Laramie, WY November 9, 2016 Southwestern MT Sheep Symposium Boyes, MT November 10-12, 2016 Celebrate Agriculture 2016 Montana State University, Bozeman November 12, 2016 Western MT Sheep Growers Meeting Ronan, MT November 14, 2016 Hi-Line Wool Pool Meeting Chinook, MT November 19-21, 2016 ND Sheep Shearing and Wool Classing School Hettinger, ND December 1, 2016 Next Generation Wool Grower Day Red Lion Hotel & Convention Center Billings, MT December 1-3, 2016 133rd MWGA Annual Convention Red Lion Hotel & Convention Center Billings, Mt December 6, 2016 North Central MT Sheep Seminar Conrad, MT January 18-21, 2017 Young Ag Couples Conference Helena, MT January 27-28, 2017 Next Generation Conference Shelby, MT January 25-29th, 2017 ASI Annual Convention Denver, Colorado

NE Montana Pool Plentywood Colleen Buck

(406) 765-3406

McCone Pool Circle

Tandi Kassner (406) 485-2605

MonDak Pool Wibaux

Danielle Harper (406)796-2486

Bruce Smith (406) 377-4277

Lower Yellowstone Pool Sidney

Tim Fine (406) 433-1206

Highline Pool Malta

Marko Manoukian (406) 684-2543

Front Range Pool Conrad

Luanne Wallewein (406) 937-2775

Sweetgrass/Stillwater Big Timber Mark King

(406) 932-5146

Upper Mushellshell Harlowton

Stacey Grove (406) 473-2244

Beaverhead/Madison/Jefferson

Dillon J P Tanner

(406) 683-3785

Western Pool Polson

Jan Tusick (406) 883-4093

Snowy Mountain Pool Lewistown

Bertie Brown (406) 535-3919

Granite/Powell Pool

Drummond Barbara Weaver (406) 288-3282

Garfield County Pool Jordan

Jerry Hensleigh (406) 557-2839

Wool Buyers High Plains Wool

Bruce Barker (307) 674-4504

Center of the Nation Belle Fourche Larry Prager

(605) 892-6311

Billings Scott Lammers (406) 245-9112

Advertising Rates $30 for 1/8 page $55 for 1/4 page $100 for 1/2 page $175 for full page

For Subscription or Advertising: Write, email, or call Jesse Wallewein at

[email protected] or (406) 450-3429. The MWGA newsletter is printed quarterly with additional issues

published as needed.

Wool Pools and Buyers Operating In Montana

Auction Markets

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Greetings ,

We have all been very busy since ram sale , and mother nature once again reminded us why she is the Queen. The lambs were heavy and the price was fair. The calves were heavy and they will be worth what the lambs are...some day. That being said, the beef people are finding out about im-ports of cheap beef, a problem the sheep industry knows all too well.

Jim Brown and myself have been spending time together in Helena, par-ticularly at FWP since September. This has been primarily concerning Big-horn sheep and Grizzly Bears. The sheep issue is moving forward and will be addressed at convention. This should be of interest to all of Montana and MWGA, with FWP and Wild Sheep Foundation of Montana, will set

some standards for all of us.

The ram sale went off very smoothly and Jesse should be commended...thank you, Jess.

Let’s all get our fall work done and meet in Billings for a little social fun and maybe an adult beverage.

Be safe,

Dave McEwen

MWGA President

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Jesse Wallewein, Ben Lehfeldt, and Jim Brown attend-ed the 100th Anniversary of the US Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, ID.

Dave McEwen, Jesse Wallewein, and Jim Brown at-tended the August BOL Meeting to give the Board an update on the progress of the proposed Combined Lab Complex.

Board members Dave McEwen, Duane Talcott, Kevin Halverson, and Ben Lehfeldt met with the REAL Mon-tana Class and presented to them the current prob-lems that we are facing within the industry. Dana Pen-rod attended the REAL Montana Banquet representing the lamb and wool industry and the MT Wool Growers Association.

MWGA was one of the host organizations of the Young Ag Leadership Conference held in Great Falls, Septem-ber 30-October 1, 2016.

Dave McEwen met with MT FWP concerning the herd health of Big Horn Sheep and how that effects our in-dustry. He also met with FWP concerning the validity of MOU’s and how that effects our members, and dis-

cussed with FWP concerning private property rights as they pertain to endangered species (grizzly bear).

Dave McEwen met with Legislators concerning the Water Rights Reform.

Mike Hollenbeck attended Senator Tester’s Farm Bill Listening Session in Billings on October 17th, represent-ing the Montana Wool Growers Association.

Dave McEwen attended the MT Farmer’s Union Annual Convention in Great Falls on October 21st and spoke with the group on how MWGA is progressing with the combined lab project.

Made actions to publicize the message “Vote No on I-177” to protect the trapping rights of Montana ranch-ers on public lands.

Jim Brown submitted comment, on behalf of MWGA, on the Environmental Assessment: “Predator Damage and Conflict Management in Montana.”

Jim Brown submitted comment, on behalf of MWGA, concerning the proposed Removal of Federal Protec-tion of Grizzly Bears in the Yellowstone Area.

How MWGA Is Working For You

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Exciting Plans Being Made for the 133rd Annual Convention By Jesse Wallewein, MWGA Executive Secretary

The 133rd Annual Montana Wool Growers Association Convention will be held in Billings, Decem-ber 1-3rd, 2016 at the Red Lion Hotel and Convention Center. Don’t worry, it is the same hotel that we have been in the last few years, they just changed the name on us. This is an exciting time for me as I am coming up on the end of my first year on the job. If you’ll remember, Convention 2015 was the start of my time with the Wool Growers Association. It has been an incredible year and I’ve met so many wonderful people. Thank you all for welcoming me and making me feel right at home with this group! I truly love this job and can’t wait to see you all at convention. We’ve got a jam packed agenda for this year’s conven-tion with all your favorite traditional activities, such as the Speed Shear competition, Watering Hole spon-sored by Western Ranch Supply and Live Auction all held on Friday night and the Silent Auction, Wool Grower Banquet, MIWW Fashion Review, and NRF Calcutta and viewing on Saturday night.

Those MWGA Young Entrepreneurs that are involved in the Master Wool Grower Program will meet on Thursday afternoon while the MWGA Board is in their meeting. More information on the Master Wool Grower Program can be found on Page 9. The President’s Reception, sponsored by Center of the Nation, will be held on Thursday evening in the hotel lounge. We’ve got a surprise planned for that party so its going to be one that you won’t want to miss!

Friday’s festivities will kick off with the Voices of Montana with Jon Arneson at 9am. Make sure you come early so you can hit the registration desk and get your convention materials. Bridger Fuez, Live-stock Marketing Specialist from Wyoming will be talking to us about the Lamb Market Outlook and Ra-chel Endecott with MSU Extension will be going over the changes to the Veterinary Feed Directive and how that will effect you as the producer. Friday afternoon is filled with more workshops, including the hands-on workshop from MSU and the industry updates from Wildlife Services, Board of Livestock, and the MT Livestock Loss Board. Friday evening will finish up with the Speed Shear competition and Calcutta and the live auction. The money raised from this event goes to a good cause so don’t forget to bring an item to donate to the live auction.

Saturday morning, we’ll hear from Larry Prager about what we can expect the wool market to look like in the near future. We’re hoping to bring a vet in to talk about lamb health and processing or perhaps preparing for lambing season. Just before lunch, we’ll hold a discussion panel concerning the Pendoy Mountain Big Horn Sheep herd with the Agricultural Research Station, MT Fish, Wildlife and Parks, MWGA and the Mt Wild Sheep Foundation. This is a special preview of a bigger event that will be held in February 2017. After lunch, Steve Vantassel with the MT Department of Agriculture will be talking to the group about M-44’s and Dr. Bret Taylor with the USSES will be giving us an update. Be sure and stick around for the Annual Meeting. We’ve got some ASI Pendleton Wool pillows to give away and your attendance is important to us. We’ll hold elections for 3 of the district directors on the board and ap-prove the resolutions that are brought to the convention. I can’t wait for Saturday night’s festivities. Our annual Wool Grower banquet begins at 6 with the Silent Auction, then its time to enjoy the Make It With Wool Fashion Review. We’ll follow that up with the NFR Calcutta and viewing on the big screen. We’ll also be drawing for the gun raffle. The money raised there will go to the MWGA Scholarship Fund.

While most will say “farewell” on Sunday morning and head back home, the MWGA Board will meet again in the mid-morning after the Past President’s Breakfast.

Its been a pleasure working for you this past year. I am very excited about the direction this asso-ciation is headed and can’t wait to see you all in Billings in December!

Jesse Wallewein

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133rd Annual Montana Wool Growers Convention December 1-3, 2016

Red Lion Hotel and Convention Center-Billings, Montana

TENTATIVE Agenda Thursday, December 1st:

1-5pm Master Wool Grower Program

1pm Board Meeting

6-8pm “Getting to know EWE” President’s Reception, Hotel Lounge

Friday, December 2nd:

8am Resolutions Committee-Sunset

8am Registration Open

9am Voices of Montana with Jon Arneson

10am Market Outlook with Bridger Fuez, Livestock Marketing Specialist

10:45 Coffee Break

11:15 Changes to the Veterinary Feed Directives with Rachel Endecott, MSU Beef Extension Specialist

12:00 Lunch Keynote Speaker-TBA

1:00 MSU Hands-on Presentation

2:30 Montana Ag Safety Program with Jim Larson

3:30 Coffee Break

4pm Resolution Committees

4pm Wildlife Services Update with John Steuber, Montana State Director

4:30 Montana Livestock Loss Board with George Edwards

5:00 Board of Livestock Update Mike Honeycutt

6pm Waterhole, Speed Shear Calcutta, Live Auction Fundraiser

Sat-Dec 3

7:30 Resolutions

8am Wool Outlook and Trends, Larry Prager-Center of the Nation Wool

8:30 Vet Talk-Tentative

9:30 MSU Update-Dr. Whit Stewart, Dr. Tom Murphy

10am Coffee Break

10:30 Pendoy Mountain Big Horn Discussion Panel, ARS, FWP, MT Wild Sheep Foundation, MWGA

12:00 Lunch Keynote Speaker-TBA

1:15 M44’s Workshop with Steve Vantassel, MT Department of Agriculture

2:00 United States Sheep Experiment Station Update with Dr. Bret Taylor

2:30 Coffee Break

3pm Annual Meeting/ASI Pillows Door Prize

6pm Banquet Bars and Silent Auction Open

6:45 Silent Auction Closes

7pm Invocation & Woolgrower Banquet

7:30 Door Prizes and Silent Auction Review

8pm Make It with Wool Fashion Show

9pm NFR Social & Gun Raffle Drawing

Sun-Dec 4

7am Past President’s Breakfast

8am MWGA Board Meeting

We will fit in any attending Senators, Representatives, or their staffers as they arrive.

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Make sure that you cut this page out, fill it in, and send it in the

Montana Wool Growers Association, PO Box 25, Whitlash, MT 59545 or

Montana Wool Growers Association, PO Box 1693, Helena, MT 59624.

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Next Generation Wool Grower Program Details Are there emerging/next generation sheep producers in your area? Invite them to participate in the Next Generation Wool

Grower program.

What is it?

A series of targeted educational events for new sheep producers that incorporates hands on workshops, industry networking, and field day educational formats. A joint partnership between the MT State University Extension Sheep Program and Mon-tana Wool Growers Association funded in part by ASI’s “Lets Grow Program”.

How do I get involved?

Contact MSU Extension Sheep Specialist Dr. Whit Stewart [email protected]; 406.994.3758 or MWGA Executive Secretary Jesse Wallewein [email protected]; 406.450.3429 to get on mailing list of upcoming educational events.

Upcoming Events

Lamb 300

(See details about this program on Page 21)

Nov 2nd to 5th, Laramie WY

Master Wool Grower Workshop

Thursday December 1st , 2016

Red Lion Hotel and Convention Center

1:00 – 2:30: Economic Tools for Sheep Producers – Bridger Feuz

An overview of the tools on the Wyoming

Ranch Tools website that can be utilized to

analyze potential changes to a ranching operation.

2:30 – 3:30: Range Management – Barton Stam

Using range forage to meet nutritional

needs and an overview of poisonous plants.

3:30 – 4:30: Utilizing Ultra Sound in Selection – Hud-son Hill

4:30 – 5:00: Overview and practice using the tools – Team

Registration: Please register by November 30 by

contacting Jesse Wallewein 406.450.3429 or

[email protected].

Class limited to 30 participants.

MT Lamb and Wool Academy

June 2017

Producer Field Days

August 2017

US-Canadian Next Generation Wool Grower Ex-change

Tour of Western Canadian Sheep Industry

Nov 2017

mailto:[email protected]


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Take Pride in the Product You Produce By Monica Ebert, Wool Lab Manager

As I write this article Whit and I have just returned from a quick trip to North and South Carolina to visit some of the mills working with wool. We had the opportunity to tour our one and only com-mercial top-maker Chargeurs in Jamestown, SC and the International Textile Group’s Raeford plant in North Carolina where some the fabrics are produced for our military dress uniforms. As we sat around the table and listened to the ITG plant manager describe the facility it was evident the amount of pride he and the staff feel for products they are producing. Thanks to the Berry Amend-ment that requires our military uniforms to be produced from American-sourced fibers these facili-ties have been able stay in business in a time when much of the apparel manufacturing has been outsourced to other countries where labor is much cheaper and trade agreements offer fewer tar-iffs on imported goods back into the United States.

Just like the staff at ITG, I take a great deal of pride in the products I produce as a sheep producer. In addition, as wool lab manager at MSU, I take great pride in the wool produced here in the state of Montana as well as the rest of the country. Much of this pride stems from a greater understanding of wool processing and manufacturing and recent innovations in wool products, but it is something that I hope all sheep producers feel about the products they are pro-ducing. We often get so caught up in wool or lamb prices that we forget about the end product. When in reality, if con-sumers don’t see the value in the end product it will lead to lower prices down the supply chain ultimately making its way back to you as the producer. Since both wool and lamb are sold at a premium, it is very easy for consumers to buy cheap synthetics for their clothing and less expensive meat such as chicken or pork when they don’t have a good un-derstanding of why they should buy wool or lamb products. Now is as good as time as any to share your story with consumers and let the pride you feel towards the product you produce show through. Help consumers experience the same pride you feel about producing the product when they consume it themselves and help them to have a solid un-derstanding of sheep production. We must all work together to share our pride and create a new breed of consumers

that feel that same pride when purchasing our products.

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Looking forward to seeing you at the 133rd

Annual MWGA Convention!

Reliable Market Information - Two Full Service Warehouses - Year-Round Marketing Opportunities

Scott Lammers

Billings, Montana

(406) 245-9112

Larry Prager

Belle Fourche, SD

(800) 528-2057

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Convention Lodging Details

Hotel: Red Lion Hotel and

Convention Center

For Room Reservations Call:

(406) 248-7151

Make sure you request the

Wool Grower rate!

Special discounted price

ends November 18th

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Montana Sheep Symposium to be Held in Boyes By Whit Stewart, MSU Sheep Extension Specialist

Montana State University will host the Montana Sheep Symposium in Boyes, Wednesday Nov 9th, 2016, from approximately 11am-4pm.

Historically, the southeastern region of Montana and neighboring states has been a sheep industry hub and important contribution to rural economies in the region. Successful sheep production in 2016 is still an art and sci-ence yet immerging technologies and research continue to add value to an ever-changing industry. MSU’s Exten-sion sheep program has put together a targeted program for producers in the region Wednesday Nov 9th at the Boyes Community Hall (11 to 4). To register call Jesse Wallewein with the Montana Wool Growers Association at (406) 450-3429.

Topics to be covered:

Ewe Body Condition Score and Ewe Reproductive Potential, MSU Extension Sheep Specialist

Profitability in western sheep production systems is a balancing act of inputs vs. production. Targeted sup-plementation to the ewe flock can result in improved conception, more lambs born per ewe, improved maternal behavior and newborn lamb survival and most importantly more pounds weaned per ewe. Come refresh you memory on how to evaluate the condition of your flock and cost-effectively maximize lambs marketed

Practical Selection Strategies for Optimum Wool Production- Monica Ebert, Montana Wool Lab Manager

Our regional wool clip is the most valuable in the nation. Wool value is a combination of multiple wool quali-ty traits such as; micron, clean yields, staple length, and uniformity. How can we measure these in real-time at the ranch level? What are the trade-offs when we solely focus on one wool quality trait? What are some practical chute-side tricks to help sift replacements and ram prospects this fall? Ho

Sheep Ked and Lice Control- Mike Schuldt, MSU Extension Custer County

Mike Schuldt will share reccomendations from MSU Veterinary Entomologist Dr. Greg Johnson.Do you have a ked and lice problem? What are common the common mistakes made when tackling a ectoparasites in sheep. What constitutes a problem and how do you manage your flock to stay rid of external parasites, product availability and more.

Integrated Parasite Management- Dr. Whit Stewart, MSU Extension Sheep Specialist

This hands-portion might help you rethink your current internal parasite management program. Are internal parasites taking production out of your ewes and lambs? Come refresh your memory on parasite control strategies; grazing management, de-wormer efficacy, and how to do fecal egg counts. Bring a fecal sample to look at under the microscope.

Montana Trace Mineral Survey Results- Chad Page, M.S. Student MSU Animal and Range Sciences

Results from a statewide trace mineral study will be presented. What trace minerals are most commonly deficient? Resources to determine mineral deficiencies on your ranch. Strategies to reduce mineral cost and more.

We’re looking forward to spending some time in Southeastern Montana! We’ll see you there!

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Public Affairs Update

From Jim Brown, MWGA Public Affairs Director

By the time you get this edition of the Wool Grower magazine the 2016 general election will be behind us, and the 2017 Montana Legislative session will be upon us. I’m sure, like me, you are relieved to be free of finding the mounds of political mail in your mailbox every day.

The 2017 Legislative session will be another active one for the Association. As you will recall, the Association has been successful the last several legislative sessions in securing funding for the Wool Lab located at Montana State University and funding for the Livestock Loss Board, namely securing funding for grizzly bear depredation compensation and livestock conflict prevention purposes.

The monies secured by the Association for these two important Association partners sunsets as of July 1, 2017. Thus, the Association will be working during the upcoming session to reauthorize funding for these entities. The Association has already submitted its draft Livestock Loss Board bill to legislative counsel for final drafting. That bill will be ready for the Legislature’s consideration during the first days of the legislative session. The Associa-tion has also put in a place holder for the Wool Lab appropriation bill as well.

If you have picked up a newspaper or turned on a news broadcast over the last several months, you have heard that the State’s budget projections are falling fast. Due to a huge loss of revenue collected by the State of Montana from its natural resources industries, such as oil and gas, coal, and, yes, agriculture, the State is facing a budget crunch for the next two year budget cycle. As a result of this financial development, it will be a difficult ses-sion to get any appropriations requests funded. Thus the Association will face a bit of a head wind when the legisla-tive session convenes.

Speaking of the legislature, the Association is pleased to announce the date when the Association will be hosting its wool growers day at the Capitol. The MWGA has reserved February 8, 2017 as the date for the member-ship to come have lunch with your legislators and to advocate on behalf of Montana’s sheep industry. As we get closer to that date, the Association will provide more detail on the lunch and associated activities. In the meantime, make sure to cross out that date on your calendar and plan to meet us in Helena.

As of the date I am writing this, the United States Congress has adjourned and is conducting no business until after the November 8th election date. Congress is set to reconvene in late November and early December to conclude its budget work for the year. As part of that year end budget process, the Association is working with Montana’s congressional delegation to ensure that USDA Wildlife Services is adequately funded and that ASI spon-sored bill language related to alternative grazing allotments, the critical need to maintain the Dubois Sheep Station, and the importance of the work performed at the National Sheep Industry Improvement Center, is included in the final legislation.

ASI has set its dates for next year’s ASI DC advocacy fly-in event. The dates are March 27th through 30th. The annual fly-in is the Association’s best opportunity to speak directly with all of our congressional delegation about federal issues and policies. As such, the Association always encourages any and all of its members to join us in meeting with our two Senators and our one member of the House.

But, just because Congress itself isn’t meeting and just because we aren’t in our nation’s capital at the mo-ment, that does not mean that MWGA’s Board members aren’t talking to our congressional delegation about is-sues of importance. In late July, MWGA members Dave McEwen and Greg Wichman met with Representative Zinke about the Industry’s farm bill priorities. And, in October, MWGA Board member Mike Hollenbeck met with Senator Tester in Billings about the same topic.

As discussed above, strong legislative advocacy and good public policy are two of the major benefits the Association provides on behalf of its membership. For the last several years, the Association and its Board have stepped up its public presence and is doing more outreach to our elected officials and to the public about the bene-fits of sheep production both nationally and in Montana, which such efforts include appearing on the northern ag radio network and in writing newspaper op-eds. However, to maximize our efforts, the Association needs your in-put as to the issues most important to your operation, and as to what the Association can be doing better to max-imize your membership dues. So, let us hear from you, and let us see you in Washington D.C. and in Helena in 2017.

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Don’t forget to pay your 2016 dues to the association! $20 + $0.06/lb wool

Dues can be paid online at mtsheep.org or can be mailed in to MWGA, PO Box 1693, Helena, MT 59624

James Brown Law Firm,

PLLC

Attorney At Law

Meeting your needs in the following areas of

practice, including lobbying and

public affairs on behalf of the

Montana Wool Growers Association.

Water Law

Natural Resource Development

Energy Law

Wind Development

Business Law & Litigation

Grazing Rights Protection

Insurance Coverage

Real Estate

Tax Law

Wills, Estate Planning, & Probate

Zoning & Land Use

30 S. Ewing, STE 100

Helena, MT 59601

406-449-7444

16

Gold Level Bank of Baker-Baker, MT Big Dry Angus-Jordan, MT Center of the Nation Wool-Belle Fourche, SD & Billings, MT Custom Ag Solutions, Crowley, WY Great Plains Wool Company-Bighorn, WY Jack and Kathryn McRae-Jordan, MT Montana Targhee Association Miles City Chamber of Commerce, Miles City, MT Public Auction Yards-Billings, MT Stockman Bank-Miles City, MT Frontline Ag Solutions, MT Western Ranch Supply-Billings, MT

Silver Level Lextron, Inc.-Billings, MT Bison Bar-Miles City, MT Braaten Sheep Shearing-Stanford, MT First Interstate Bank-Miles City, MT Hilary Gietzen Shearing-Minot, ND Garfield County Bank-Jordan, MT Babe McDonald-Cohagen, MT Marcha Labs-Terry, MT McWilliams Shearing & Supplies-Miles City, MT Montana Livestock Ag Credit-Helena, MT Miles City Livestock Commission-Miles City, MT Northwest Farm Credit-Billings, MT Nickels Gaming, Bob Gilbert-Helena, MT Hipolito Sanchez-Lancaster, MO Schuldt Services-Chinook, MT Bronze Level Anderson & Zurmuehlen & Co.-Helena, MT Bank of the Rockies-White Sulfur Springs, MT Brockway Supper Club, Brockway, MT Cayuse Livestock Co.-Melville, MT Citizens Bank & Trust Co.-Big Timber, MT Comfort Inn-Miles City, MT Debby Cornwell-Glasgow, MT Curtis Farm and Auto- Carquest-Circle, Plentywood, Scobey, Wolfpoint Duane Sparks Chevrolet, Inc-Lewistown, MT Gene Surber and Associates-Belgrade, MT Gordon & Marilyn Darlinton-Three Forks, MT Farm Credit Services-Miles City, MT Farmers Elevator-Circle, MT First Interstate Bank-Billings, MT

First State Bank-Malta, MT Fleet Supply-Lewistown, MT Fred Wacker Agency-Miles City, MT Rachel Frost-Livingston, MT Hawkins Veterinary Service-Dillon, MT Hinnaland Trucking Inc.-Circle, MT Holiday Inn Express-Miles City, MT Insurance Store, Inc.-Baker, MT Jim Hoover-Columbus, MT Judish Spraying Service-Conrad, MT Justin Martinell-Dell, Mt Roger King-Augusta, MT Kopren Sheep Shearing-Bison, SD Rodney Kott-Bozeman, MT Arville & Elaine Lammers-Shawmut, MT Lazy AM Ranch, Inc.-Richey, MT Lewistown Honda-Lewistown, MT Marias River Livestock Association Miles City Veterinary Service-Miles City, MT Matador Ranch-Malta, MT Babe McDonald-Miles City, MT Don McKamey-Great Falls, MT Mills Auction Service-Boyes, MT Lucille Molinari-Hamilton, MT Montana Farm Bureau Federation-Bozeman, MT Montana Trappers Assn.-Ovando, MT Jim Moore-Stanford, MT North Valley Grazing District-Glasgow, MT Phalen Ranch Company-Ismay, MT Pioneer Insurance Agency,-Fort Benton, MT Q’s Quality Wood Work-Huson, MT Steadman Hardware-Miles City, MT Stuart & Virginia Reynolds-Havre, MT Reynolds Market-Miles City, MT Selle Livestock-Billings, MT Shobe Auction & Realty-Lewistown, MT Snowy Mountain Motors-Lewistown, MT Stockman Bank-Billings & Miles City, MT Lisa Surber-Bozeman, MT Tradewinds Shopper-Jordan, MT Torgerson’s, LLC-Lewistown, MT Maurice Tunby-Baker, MT Rolph Tunby-Plevna, MT Waterland Shearing-Alzada, MT Watts and Associates-Billings, MT Westfeeds, Inc.-Billings/Miles City, MT

MWGA ASSOCIATE MEMBERS Please support the Businesses Supporting Our Industry

17

2016-2017 MSU Ram Test Begins By Sharon Henderson, Extension Specialists Administrative Associate

The 2016-2017 Ram Testing Con-signment is underway at Montana State University’s Fort Ellis Research Farm. They have over 50 rams from 12 consigners across Montana. A newly engineered fleece corer for clean yield analysis, and an ultra-sound probe to measure loin-eye area, in addition to depth, will be used in evaluating this crop of rams.

The official start to the test year started on Friday, October 14, 2016 as rams were sheared on to test and weighed. Under the supervision of Dr. Whit Stewart, Sheep Extension Specialist, rams will be monitored daily by university graduate students and staff. Additionally, they will be weighed every 28 days and an aver-age daily gain calculated.

At the end of the 112 day test rams will be shorn and fleece characteris-tics analyzed at the Montana Wool Lab under the direction of Monica Ebert, Wool Lab Manager.

An educational field day to discuss the test and other quantitative genetic selection strategies will be held Satur-day Feb 11, 2017.

The information collected will allow producers to identify superior performing rams that excel in highly heritable traits e.g., fleece characteristics, growth characteristics, and carcass ultrasound composition. Ideally consigners will be able to identify the sires of these top-performing ram lambs to help on-farm selection decisions. The test is

not designed to replace the comprehensive se-lection tool through the National Sheep Im-provement Program, but as a compliment.

Updates to the progress of the MSU Ram Test can be found at the Sheep Program Web-site: http://www.animalrangeextension.montana.edu/sheep/ramtest2016-2017.html and the MSU Ex-tension Sheep Program Facebook Page.

Rams being weighed in and shorn at the start of the MSU Ram Test.

Photos courtesy of Sharon Henderson

18

A MSU Sheep Research Program Update By Dr. Tom Murphy, Assistant Professor in Sheep Production

Hello Montana Wool Growers! I officially started my position on August 8, and since then I have been involved in several research projects with many more on the horizon. Our sheep research at Montana State University will always be ap-plied, with the specific goal of increasing producer profitability while improving the quality of American lamb and wool. Whit Stewart’s and my first full research pro-ject is geared toward increasing consumer acceptance of yearling mutton. The most recent National Lamb Quality Audit revealed that consumers of American Lamb define quality as being most associated with the flavor and aroma of sheep meat, which is very unique to our product. For example, a typical beef consumer might associate quality with marbling and tenderness, not flavor.

Two major flavors are associated with sheep meat: “muttony” and “pastoral”. “Muttony” describes the flavor of meat from older animals. “Pastoral” describes the flavor of meat from animals fed primarily a forage diet. These flavors make for an eating experience unrivaled by other meats, but at high levels, both can be off-

putting to regular or new consumers of sheep meat. Do we have any control over these flavors as sheep produc-ers? Condensed tannins are present in certain types of plants, and there is evidence that when these plants are fed to or grazed by livestock they can interact with and decrease some of the compounds responsible for off-flavors in meat. One such plant is juniper, and its incorporation into livestock feeds has been the major research focus of Dr. Travis Whitney at Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension Center at San Angelo. Dr. Whitney formulated two diets for us and had them shipped up to the Fort Ellis Research Station. The two diets are identical except that one has 20% oat hay (HAY) and the other has 20% ground juniper (JUN). We have three groups of yearling Rambouillet wethers: (1) wethers fed HAY diet for 40 days prior to harvest, (2) wethers fed JUN diet for 40 days prior to har-vest, and (3) wethers fed HAY diet for 20 days then JUN diet for the last 20 days prior to harvest. After the project, wethers will be harvested at Pioneer Meats (Big Timber), processed at MSU, and samples will be sent to Texas A&M for flavor analysis by machine and trained taste panel. As of today (Oct. 20), we are half-way through the feeding trial and the wethers are looking great, packing on weight with no large difference in gain between the groups. More results will follow.

After this trial, we will begin feeding out Rambouillet, Rambouillet x Suffolk, and Rambouillet x South African Meat Merino wethers to compare their pre- and post-weaning growth, feed efficiency, and carcass characteristics. There is very little research information on the SAMM breed in the U.S. and we are very excited to compare lamb performance and ewe productivity of these sires to our “traditional” breeds. This winter we are hoping to deter-mine precisely how much a pregnant ewe’s feed intake increases after shearing and the duration of this increase. After the 2017 lambing season (and for the next several years) we will hopefully be traveling to many of your opera-tions to determine the prevalence of clinical and sub-clinical mastitis in our ewe flocks and its relationship with lamb performance and ewe longevity. We believe this research is of great importance to the U.S. sheep industry as a whole.

This research is not possible without the help of our fellow faculty members (Dr. Jane Ann Boles and Dr. Megan Van Emon) and the graduate and undergraduate students that represent the next generation of sheep researchers, sheep producers, and sheep industry advocates: Chad Page (Chandler, AZ), Ian McGregor (Wake Forest, NC), Wes-ton Helle (Dillon), Ben Roeder (Fort Shaw), Gwynn Simeniuk (Killdeer, SK), Casey Smith (Winthrop, WA), and Sarah Spear (Buffalo).

When putting together your breeding groups this year, remember to ask yourself “where is my performance at currently?” and “where would I like it to be 10 years from now?”. There are great resources put out by NSIP to help you achieve your breeding goals, use them in combination with the “common sense” breeding skills you’ve ob-tained over the years and good luck!

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To any agriculturist looking for an informative, and fun experience to help give them a look into differ-ent parts of the sheep industry, I would advise attending the Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School. The school changes locations, this year it was held at Ohio State University in Columbus, and put on by the National Lamb Feeders Association. There was a good group of people from all around that attended. Not only were the classes, and tours worth the trip, the different people from different places, and different parts of the sheep world was a cherry on the top.

We started out by touring the Mid State Wool Growers wool mill in Canal Winchester. I was not the on-ly one surprised by what we got to experience inside. The wool is shipped by semi-trucks and packaged in any-thing from burlap pool bags to your mother’s old sheets. Stacked as high as the ceiling awaiting the sorting room, the wool gets thrown onto a conveyer and goes up to a scale and the wool grader (this being a man who is all-knowing). Then a very ingenious machine totes and toss-es the different fleeces into piles of graded wool. This was the first time I have been in a wool mill and seeing and hearing what they would like from producers and what they get can vary widely. It does come down to

there is a place for every fleece!

The Lamb 509 class covered a lot of ground, we heard from a variety of people about

many different topics, the pace was fast, the classes were very interactive. We were tasked to “purchase a market lamb” in a small set up auction. We bid on the lambs then they were processed there at the school. We got to be inside and watch students and instructors pro-cess the lambs. The lambs went into the freezers so we could finish the process ourselves. After being given the opportunity to look over all the carcasses and start to grade them we got to break our carcasses down into

primal cuts and some retail cuts. We weighed the cuts of meat and also left over bone, fat, and trim. All this infor-mation went into figuring out who made the best pur-chase from live animal to what the customer is getting at their dining table.

The whole process was a good eye opener for how we as producers look at our lambs in the field to what the packers get in the plants. Some other things we had fun doing was cutting open and going through the digestive system of one of the lambs while learning about ruminant nutrition. We got to make some lamb sausage, and tour their lab at the university. We had presentations from some packers, managers, profes-sors, producers, welfare specialists, and lab managers. We left almost no ground uncovered. The rest of the tours took us around Ohio to Mike Stitzlein Club Lamb Farm, OARDC Wooster Sheep Research Facility, Mt Hope Auction Barn, Leroy Kuhn Commercial Sheep Organiza-tion, and Skyline Farms. There were large, and subtle differences in facilities and how things run in Ohio com-pared to Montana. It was very interesting to also tour an Amish farm. The auction barn ran a little different than the ones at home. Getting a look at indoor sheep facili-ties and seeing how they cope with their different sea-sons was very neat. All the places we visited had their own interesting feed systems, facilities, and operating style.

The opportunity to go to this school was given to me by my mother. She has me go to different seminars and classes so I may further my knowledge and get to see different places. It also gives her the opportunity to talk with me about what I learn and brainstorm about new ideas for our own place. I love these opportunities and this was one of the best that I have attended.

Reflections from the Howard Wyman Sheep Industry Leadership School

By Boo LeVeque

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Montana Next Generation Wool Growers to be Well- Represented at the LAMB 300 in Laramie, WY

By Dr. Whit Stewart, MSU Sheep Extension Specialist

A generous Targhee yearling ewe donation from Hughes Newford Co. raised $1,200 from buyers Randy Tun-by, McRae Brothers Targhee, Thomas Blaine and Timber Coulee Columbias. As a result of this combined generosity, five Montana youth will be able to travel to the Lamb 300 short course in Laramie, Wyoming November 3-5, 2016. Additional sponsorship from MSU Extension and MSU Extension Sheep Program are making the travel and registra-tion possible. Applicants for the scholarship submitted a written explanation regarding their desire to attend and how taking part in this course would further their goals in the sheep industry.

The five scholarship winners include:

Gary Todd, Big Timber MT

Leah Johnson, Cut Bank MT

Eric Barthelmess, Malta MT

Ben Roeder, Fort Shaw MT

Kendall Green, Cohagen MT

Additional Montana attendees include:

Sarah Spear, MSU Student, Buffalo MT

Weston Helle, MSU Student, Dillon MT

Chad Page, MSU Graduate Student, Page, AZ

Marko Manoukian, Phillips County Extension Agent

Ben Hauptman, Blaine County Extension Agent

Dr. Tom Murphy, MSU Assistant Professor Sheep Production

Dr. Whit Stewart, MSU Assistant Professor/Extension Sheep Specialist

Henry and Sara Hollenbeck, Molt, MT

Attendees will leave for Laramie, Wyoming at noon on November 1. They will tour the Superior Farms Plant in Denver, Colorado and the Mountain States Rose Plant in Greeley, Colorado on November 2. The program returns to Laramie November 3-5 for the remainder of the short course. The program includes but is not limited to:

November 3: Live Lamb Evaluation, Ultrasound Principle and Uses, Lamb Pricing, Carcass Cutout Pricing, Fat Lamb Auction Exercise, Sheep Industry Economics, Lamb Harvesting, Determining Eating Quality Attributes/Food Pairings. November 4: Lamb Grading and Fabrication, Nutrition for Growing Lambs, Wool Marketing and Manage-ment, Quiz Bowl. November 5: Farm to Food Safety, Electronic Grading, Tools to Measure Quality/Palatability, Sen-sory Evaluation, Carcass and Retail Value, Awards

The Lamb 300 program is an excellent complement to the MWGA-MSU Sheep Program Next Generation Wool Grower initiative launched in December 2015 through funding from the American Sheep Industry Associa-tion’s Lets Grow program. Building the next generation in the sheep business will come from targeted education, networking across the industry, and building relationships amongst young producers. Making these opportunities available to young producers requires funding creativity but can be accomplished through the strong partnership between Montana sheep producers, MWGA and MSU. We look forward to reporting the outcome of this program and using Lamb 300 as a template for future sheep programs throughout Montana.

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Wichman Ag Supply LLC 1105 Winifred Rd Hilger, MT 59451

Phone: (406) 538-5686 Fax: (406) 538-5686

Email: [email protected]

Thank you for giving me the opportunity to represent the

industry and for allowing me to serve as your President,

Greg Wichman

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Looking Back Through the Years

80 years ago…

President Harry Snyder

The 2nd Annual Beaverhead

Ram Sale was held in Dillon, Octo-

ber 14th, 1936. 457 rams sold, the

consigors being: Lester Schulz,

O.A. Schulz, G.D. Selway, C.M

LaDue, Rambouillet Sheep Co., Sie

Sheep Co., and Ralph Jorgenson.

The Government purchased two

Columbia rams from Mr. Ernest

White of the Shelter Valley Ranch

in Kalispell for the experiement

station in New Mexico.

Mr. Emmet Patten, Secreatry of

the Stillwater Wool Growers Asso-

ciation, represented MWGA on the

Swift and Company Sheep Tour of

their various plants and sales offic-

es.

The Montana State College

Judging Team placed 1st at the

Pacific Inernational Livestock Ex-

position in Portland Oregon.

The shorn wool clip in the US in

1936 is estimated at 361,265,000

pounds, of which 30,343,000

pounds were produced in Mon-

tana.

70 years ago…

President Wallace Kingsbury

Articles of incorporation for the

North Montana Sheep Breeders

Association were filed in Novem-

ber 1946. Directors are Ernest

White (Kalispell), Leo Green

(Wagner), Frank Ferrin (Nashua),

Quentin Larsen (Galata), and C.F.

Holt (Great Falls).

229 head of rams averaged $36

at the annual Beaverhead Ram

Sale held in Dillon.

Eastern MT Ram Sale Averages

in Miles City: Columbias, $80, Tar-

ghees, $34.40, and crossbreds,

$41.70.

1,000 ewe lambs sold in South-

western Montana for 15c.

Wool has declined from 475

million pounds in 1942 to 287 mil-

lion pounds in 1946.

“What is believed to be a record

in range lamb weights was marke

dup this fall by an 81-pound aver-

age of the W. H. Kropp estate

lambs which sold as feeders to

Charley Holman of Chinook.”

60 years ago…

President Gerald Hughes

In the Twin Bridges area,

Hunter Lawrence Schulz was

called on a bear depredation case

on the Reid Estate range where 161

sheep, ewes and lambs, were

killed or piled up. It looked as

though several bear had held the

sheep so tightly piled up that they

smothered.

160 hours of flying time ac-

counted for 78 coyotes during a 30

day period.

John W. Safford is appointed

assistant state veterinarian.

Hughest Livestock Company of

Stanford consigned the high sell-

ing ewe at the Targhee Production

Sale in Billings. The ewe sold for

$30 and was bought by Warren

Johnson of Spearfish.

50 years ago…who knows!

40 years ago…

President Leonard Hansen

USSES Sale Averages: 78 Tar-

ghee rams averaged $343, 80 Ram-

bouillet averaged $253, $112 Colum-

bias averaged $242 and 7 Polypay

averaged $539.

Bluetongue was confirmed in

Powder River County on October

14th.

Montana Ram Sale: Highest sale

average recorded: $233.38. 258

persons were fed at the 197 lamb

lunch at the fairgrounds, only 1

person thought $2.50 was too

much for a delicious meal.

Feeder lambs sold in Billings: 60-

80lb: $48.50-$50.00, 80-90lbs:

$44.50-45.50, 90-100lbs, $43.00-

44.50.

30 years ago…

President Gerry Devlin

Montana Ram Sale Average:

$351.35 on 468 head.

National Targhee Association

President Chase Hibbard present-

ed Carolyn Green with a trophy for

the Targhee Champion Ram Fleece

Award.

Levi Strauss, Lands End, and L.L.

Bean are now selling the new cot-

ton American wool jeans. Levi has

an 80/20 five-pocket version in its

“special reserve” line for $36.

MWGA received a grant for

$15,000 from the Burligton North-

ern Foundation for a state-of-the-

art pregnancy testing device for

sheep.

October PAYS Sheep Report: 75-

85 lb lambs sold $65.25-$73.75, 85-

95lb lambs sold $62.50-67.25,

95lb+ sold $61-$64.50

In late September and early

November, Sidney reports 15.34

inches of rain, Glendive reports

14.27 inches, Ingomar reported

14.67 inches and Jordan 13.17 inch-

es. Unconfirmed reports state that

about 1,200 head od sheep may

have been lost in the flooding of

Northweastern Montana.

20 years ago…

President John Baucus

Dr. Pat Hatfield, formerly of the

US Sheep Experiment Station at

Dubois, has accepted a position of

teaching and research at Montana

State University.

Duane Richards of Hammond

was elected to become president

of the Carter County Sheep and

Cattle Growers Association.

384 rams sold at the Montana

Ram Sale for an average of

$350.33.

Garfield County Wool Pool sold

14,600 pounds whiteface fleeces,

62s or better, at 73.65 cents;

21,060 pounds whiteface, 58-62s,

bellies out, untied at 68.41 cents;

290 pounds blackface fleeces at 35

ents, and bellies at 30 cents.

Total sheep on the tax roll in

1995 was 324,041 and in 1996 the

total was 300,700. These totals do

not include Carter County, the

state’s largest sheep producing

county, nor Powder River and

McCone. Those counties have

private programs funded by pro-

ducers in the county with their

own predator control program.

Helena area Representative

Chase Hibbard won re-election to

the Montana House. Gerry Devlin

won re-relection to the Montana

Senate. Mike Taylor from Proctor,

won a seat in the Montana Senate.

10 years ago…

President Betty Sampsel

New record set at the Montana

Ram Sale in Miles City. 270 rams

sold. 187 Targhees averaged

$801.87. Suffolk-Hampshire ani-

mals averaged $806.25. Suffolks

averaged $698.08. Rambouillet

averaged $780. Dorsets averaged

$450 and Columbias averaged

$516.67.

Yellowstone Wool Pool disband-

ed after almost 30 years.

24

Lot # Consignor Breed Buyer

1 Dawe Suffolks Suffolk Gene Irigoin

2 Dawe Suffolks Suffolk Duane Talcott

3 Gibbs Range Rams Suffolk Lane Green

4 Gibbs Range Rams Suffolk Kiehl Ranch

5 Heart Lazy P Suffolk Duane Talcott

6 Heart Lazy P Suffolk Reimann Club Lambs

7 Heart Lazy P Suffolk Kevin and Shirley Halverson

8 Knutson Suffolks Suffolk Sieben Ranch Co, John and Nina Baucus

9 Knutson Suffolks Suffolk Sieben Ranch Co, John and Nina Baucus

10 Knutson Suffolks Suffolk Gene Irigoin

11 Gibbs Range Rams Hamp x Suffolk Kiehl Ranch

12 Gibbs Range Rams Hamp x Suffolk Warner Ranch

13 Gibbs Range Rams Hamp x Suffolk Cedric Coolahan

14 Dawe Suffolks Suffolk Sieben Ranch Co, John and Nina Baucus

15 Dawe Suffolks Suffolk Duane Talcott

16 Gibbs Range Rams Suffolk Cedric Coolahan

17 Gibbs Range Rams Suffolk John and Joanne Roos

18 Heart Lazy P Suffolk Kiehl Ranch

19 Heart Lazy P Suffolk Kevin and Shirley Halverson

20 Heart Lazy P Suffolk Lane Green

22 Knutson Suffolks Suffolk Ric Holden

23 Knutson Suffolks Suffolk Shirley Heitz

24 Gibbs Range Rams Hamp x Suffolk Kate Rehm

25 Gibbs Range Rams Hamp x Suffolk Cedric Coolahan

26 Gibbs Range Rams Hamp x Suffolk Sheila Hasselstrom

27 Heart Lazy P Suffolk Brian Morast

28 Heart Lazy P Suffolk Lisa Toth

29 Heart Lazy P Suffolk Lisa Toth

30 Knutson Suffolks Suffolk Leo Barthelmess

31 Gibbs Range Rams Hamp x Suffolk Phillips Creek Ranch

32 Gibbs Range Rams Hamp x Suffolk Leo Barthelmess

33 Tunby Targhees Targhee donation Big Dry Angus

34 Sieben Live Stock Targhee stud TLE Ranch Inc

35 Carolyn Green Targhee stud McGee Ranch

36 Lehfeldt Rambouillets Rambouillet stud Todd Spear

37 MSU Targhee stud Bair Ranch Foundation

38 Langhus Columbias Columbia test Duane Bundy

39 Carolyn Green Targhee test Michael Hunt

40 Lehfeldt Rambouillets Rambouillet test Sheila Hasselstrom

41 Langhus Columbias SAMM test Robert Smith

42 Carolyn Green Targhee Bair Ranch Foundation

43 Carolyn Green Targhee Bair Ranch Foundation

44 Carolyn Green Targhee Bar 69 Ranch

45 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Dilts Ranch Co

46 Sieben Live Stock Targhee TLE Ranch Inc

47 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Bar 69 Ranch

48 Hughes Newford Targhee Travis Mill

49 Hughes Newford Targhee Dave McEwen

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51 McRae Brothers Targhee McKamey Ranch

52 McRae Brothers Targhee Reed and Holley Marcy

53 McRae Brothers Targhee Neena Steadman

54 Tunby Targhees Targhee Jack and Charlotte Murnion

55 Tunby Targhees Targhee John and Joanne Roos

56 Tunby Targhees Targhee Kelly Park

57 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Heinrich & Sam Ortmann, Hughes Newford

58 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Mike Irigoin

59 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Hilda Brimer

60 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee Sims Sheep Company

61 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee Bair Ranch Foundation

62 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee Leo Barthelmess

63 Hughes Newford Targhee Dave Dashiell

64 Hughes Newford Targhee Dave Dashiell

65 Hughes Newford Targhee Jack and Charlotte Murnion

66 Carolyn Green Targhee D&L Tomsheck

67 Carolyn Green Targhee Diamond J Livestock

68 Carolyn Green Targhee Skip Smith

69 McRae Brothers Targhee Bar 69 Ranch

70 McRae Brothers Targhee Dale Maus

71 McRae Brothers Targhee Ron Johnson

72 Sieben Live Stock Targhee D&L Tomsheck

73 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Kiehl Ranch

74 Sieben Live Stock Targhee D&L Tomsheck

75 Hughes Newford Targhee Bar 69 Ranch

76 Hughes Newford Targhee Kevin and Shirley Halverson

77 Hughes Newford Targhee Craig Harding

78 Montana Sheep Co Targhee Green Ranch

79 Montana Sheep Co Targhee Kiehl Ranch

80 Montana Sheep Co Targhee Duane Talcott

81 Sam Ortmann Targhee Dave Hinnaland

82 Sam Ortmann Targhee Gene Irigoin

83 Sam Ortmann Targhee Ed Gilger Ranch

84 Carolyn Green Targhee Levi Bucklin

85 Carolyn Green Targhee Judy Scanlan

86 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee McGinnis Ranch, Inc

87 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee Bar 69 Ranch

88 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee Ed Gilger Ranch

89 Chuck Dallas Targhee Dave Hinnaland

90 Chuck Dallas Targhee McKamey Ranch

91 Chuck Dallas Targhee Kiehl Ranch

92 MSU Targhee McKamey Ranch

93 MSU Targhee Randy Tunby

94 MSU Targhee Svenson Brothers

95 Aiden Fouhy Targhee Big Dry Angus

96 Aiden Fouhy Targhee Hilda Brimer

97 Ian McRae Targhee Travis Mill

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Lot # Consignor Breed Buyer 98 Ian McRae Targhee Lynn Wittmayer

99 Ian McRae Targhee J&K Livestock

100 Tunby Targhees Targhee Lane Pilster

101 Tunby Targhees Targhee Sheila Hasselstrom

102 Tunby Targhees Targhee Delores Hill

103 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Judy Scanlan

104 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Mike Irigoin

105 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Dave Dashiell

106 Heinrich Ortmann Targhee Dave Hinnaland

107 Heinrich Ortmann Targhee Mike Irigoin

108 Heinrich Ortmann Targhee Sheila Hasselstrom

109 Hughes Newford Targhee Warner Ranch

110 Hughes Newford Targhee Bar 69 Ranch

111 McRae Brothers Targhee Neena Steadman

112 McRae Brothers Targhee John Beardsley

113 Langhus Columbias Columbia Gerome and Rita Wemmer




117 Helle Rambouillets Rambouillet Sieben Ranch Co, John and Nina Baucus

118 Helle Rambouillets Rambouillet Charles and Carmen Cavill


120 Lehfeldt Rambouillets Rambouillet Todd Spear

121 Lehfeldt Rambouillets Rambouillet Charles and Carmen Cavill

122 Lehfeldt Rambouillets Rambouillet Killen Land & Livestock

123 Helle Rambouillets Rambouillet Charles and Carmen Cavill



126 Lehfeldt Rambouillets Rambouillet John Bucklin




130 Helle Rambouillets Rambouillet Lehfeldt Rambouillets

131 Helle Rambouillets Rambouillet Pete Wirtzfeld

132 Lehfeldt Rambouillets Rambouillet Mick Weist

133 Lehfeldt Rambouillets Rambouillet Sieben Ranch Co, John and Nina Baucus

134 Helle Rambouillets Rambouillet Dave McEwen

135 Helle Rambouillets Rambouillet Gary Nelson

136 Helle Rambouillets Rambouillet Lee and Toni Murnion

137 Langhus Columbias SA Meat Merino Svenson Brothers

138 Langhus Columbias SA Meat Merino Montana State University

139 Helle Rambouillets Ramb. X Merino Greg Wichman

140 Helle Rambouillets Ramb. X Merino Gary Nelson

141 Helle Rambouillets Ramb. X Merino Thomas Blaine

142 Last Chance Merinos Merino Chapman Sheep Company

143 Last Chance Merinos Merino Chapman Sheep Company

144 Helle Rambouillets Ramb. X Merino Klaboe Livestock

145 Helle Rambouillets Ramb. X Merino Dave McEwen

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Lot # Consignor Breed Buyer 146 Helle Rambouillets Ramb. X Merino Andy Carda

147 Helle Rambouillets Ramb. X Merino Sieben Ranch Co, John and Nina Baucus

148 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Gary Nelson

149 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Kiehl Ranch

150 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Killen Land & Livestock

151 Carolyn Green Targhee Dennis Johnson

152 Carolyn Green Targhee Kiehl Ranch

153 Carolyn Green Targhee Geis Brothers LLC

155 Heinrich Ortmann Targhee Svenson Brothers

156 Heinrich Ortmann Targhee Geis Brothers LLC

157 Montana Sheep Co Targhee Green Ranch

158 Montana Sheep Co Targhee Todd Spear

159 Montana Sheep Co Targhee Lloyd Keller

161 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee J&K Livestock

162 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee McKamey Ranch

163 Chuck Dallas Targhee McKamey Ranch

164 Chuck Dallas Targhee Leo Barthelmess

165 Chuck Dallas Targhee Bieber Land

166 Hughes Newford Targhee Gary Nelson



169 Ian McRae Targhee Luann Biggs

170 Ian McRae Targhee Dave Hinnaland

171 Tunby Targhees Targhee Geis Brothers LLC

172 Tunby Targhees Targhee Gary Schow

173 Tunby Targhees Targhee Lee and Toni Murnion

174 Sam Ortmann Targhee Sheila Hasselstrom

175 Sam Ortmann Targhee Svenson Brothers

176 Sam Ortmann Targhee Innes Ranch

177 MSU Targhee Lee and Toni Murnion

178 MSU Targhee Svenson Brothers

179 MSU Targhee Bob Walker

180 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Neena Steadman (1st Buy: McRae, Ortmann, Green)


182 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Thomas Blaine

183 McRae Brothers Targhee Montana Sheep Company

184 McRae Brothers Targhee Innes Ranch

185 McRae Brothers Targhee Randy Tunby

186 Carolyn Green Targhee Dave Hinnaland

187 Carolyn Green Targhee Luann Biggs

188 Carolyn Green Targhee Kevin and Shirley Halverson

189 Tunby Targhees Targhee Geis Brothers LLC

190 Tunby Targhees Targhee Gary Nelson

191 Tunby Targhees Targhee Gerome and Rita Wemmer

192 Hughes Newford Targhee Green Ranch

193 Hughes Newford Targhee Luann Biggs

194 Hughes Newford Targhee Thomas Blaine

195 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee Turner Sheep Company

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196 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee Turner Sheep Company

197 Skull Creek Targhees Targhee Duane Talcott

198 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Rachel Pruitt


200 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Chris Towery

201 McRae Brothers Targhee Levi Bucklin

202 McRae Brothers Targhee Dave Hinnaland

203 McRae Brothers Targhee Sims Sheep Company

204 Hughes Newford Targhee Thomas Blaine

205 Hughes Newford Targhee Lee and Toni Murnion


207 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Neena Steadman

208 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Sheila Hasselstrom

209 Sieben Live Stock Targhee Reid Ryan

210 McRae Brothers Targhee Dave Hinnaland

211 Carolyn Green Targhee Turner Sheep Company

212 Hughes Newford Targhee Aiden Fouhy

Looking to Buy: Used tip table and round bale feeders in good condition.

Contact (406) 939-3911

29

Thank you to everyone

who purchased our ewe

lambs and rams at Miles

City and off the ranch.

30

Sheep are the most tolerant to environmental extremes when compared to swine, poultry, and cattle. Yet, even with this advantage we need to be aware of the added risks during inclement weather season and have a strategic response on our operation. Thermal Balance

Sheep maintain a relatively constant core temperature by balancing the heat gained from metabolism against that gained from or given up to the environment. The thermal environment has a strong influence on farm animals with air temperature having the primary effect, but altered by wind, precipitation, humidity, and radiation. Under most conditions there is a continual net loss of sensible heat from the body surface through conduction, convec-tion, and radiation. Under all conditions there is a continual loss of insensible (evaporative) heat from the respira-tory tract and skin surface.

Thermoneutral Range

The thermoneutral range for mature ewes is 24 to 66 °F. This range, also known as effective ambient tempera-ture, is the most comfortable range for the sheep (thermal-comfort zone). Their metabolic heat production is con-stant in this temperature range and this environment promotes maximum performance with the least stress (heat or cold). Within the thermo-neutral zone there is a cool zone where behavioral changes take place to conserve body heat i.e., vasoconstriction of peripheral blood vessels, adjustments in posture, and grouping together. Visual observation of some of these changes can help producers identify when animals are approaching cold thresholds. Yet, even with the sheep’s behavioral ability to alleviate lowering temperatures, once the lower critical tempera-ture threshold is surpassed the animal must produce metabolic heat from dietary sources.

Lower Critical Temperature can be a misnomer as it refers to the ideal temperature for the animal, not the cold-est temperatures it can handle. This only implies the lower range of the optimum temperature range where the sheep will need to rely on heat generated from metabolic activities (cellular respiration, absorption, and heat of fermentation in rumen). One reason sheep are so resistant to cold stress is the super insulative value of their fleece, yet even this is dependent on staple length (Table 1).

Table 1. Effect of staple length on lower critical temperatures (adapted from Blaxter, 1967).

Wind Chill

By means of a wind-chill index, the combined effect of ambient temperature and air speed on environmental heat demand is represented by a single value. Wind-chill indices have been developed for various species in cool and cold environments. During high wind velocities (> 25 mph) the wool fibers are separated which decreases the insulative properties of the fleece and accelerates heat loss (Ames and Insley, 1975).

Shearing and Intake Requirements

Intake increases after shearing are generally a result of the increased heat production required to maintain body temperature. Shearing pregnant ewes has been shown to increase lamb birth weight without negatively

Staple Length of the Fleece Lower Critical Temperature(Sheep relies on heat

0.37 inches 71.6

1.89 inches 48.2

3.79 inches 26.6

Cold Weather Considerations for Sheep By Dr. Whit Stewart, MSU Sheep Extension Specialist

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Cold Weather Considerations for Sheep (Cont.) By Dr. Whit Stewart, MSU Sheep Extension Specialist

impacting ewe body condition and body weight at lambing (Keady and Hanrahan, 2009). In growing lambs, a 10% increase in lamb dry matter intake (2.84 vs 3.06 lbs) was observed by Keady and Hanrahan (2015). Calculations from Brink (1975) found a linear increase in dry matter intake from 24 to 90 °F. From these calculations 88 lb freshly shorn lamb would consume 4 lbs of feed at 24 °F yet only consume 3.3 lbs at 90 °F. Whether you hand feed or use a feed wagon, a simple rule of feeding 15 to 25% in the weeks post-shearing is a sound-policy.

Feeding Recommendations

Voluntary intake increases when temperatures fall below the thermonuetral threshold of 24 °F. Christopherson (1976) observed decreased digestibility at lower temperatures. For example, a low quality grass hay might have a 54% digestibility at 68 °F but only a 47% digestibility at 23 °F. Thus under periods of prolonged cold, it’s advisable to not only provide more feed but feed of a higher quality (second cutting hay vs. first cutting hay), or added supple-mental protein that might aid in fiber digestion if low-quality hay is the majority of the basal diet. Fiber has a high heat increment when compared with concentrates (Baldwin et al., 1980). The greater heat increments fed during cold periods creates a sparing effect on net energy for production (i.e., fetal growth, average daily gain, milk pro-duction). For pregnant ewes, the decreased rumen volume due to fetal growth (especially multiple carrying ewes) limits digestive capacity and restricts increased intake. Supplementation with highly fermentable fiber (e.g., soy-hulls, wheat middlings) and energy dense concentrates (e.g., corn, oats, barley, peas) can alleviate metabolic de-mands for both the ewe and unborn lamb.

Timing and Planning

In the digital age it is much easier to anticipate an oncoming storm. The digestive process in ruminants such as

sheep can extend 24 to 48 hr after feed is consumed, and thus providing extra feed 12 to 24 hr in advance gives the

upper hand and allows heat energy produced from the feed to kick in prior to the cold stress. The slow process of

digging out snow or fighting mud further delays getting feed in front of the sheep and can put undue stress on

ewes, especially during late gestation. Feeding 25% to 50% more a day or two in advance of the storm will pay divi-

dends during a prolonged cold snap. The idea of a “rainy day” hay or feed supply is a sound strategy when prepar-

ing for inclement weather.

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1st Annual Fiber Festival Draws a Crowd to Billings By Shannon Kahler

The Prairie Handspinners Guild of Billings held their first annual Fiber Festival on Saturday, September 24th at the Billings Hotel and Convention Center in Billings. The festival was a free event open to the public. The mission of the festival is to share the joy of fiber arts and educate the community. The group hopes to share their passion for wool and all of the many other fibers that can be used for arts and crafts.

The one day event was a great opportunity to connect fiber artists with local producers and suppliers.

Several hundred people attended and vendors from all over Montana and Wyoming showcased their products. Wool was a big focus of the festival, but many other fibers were also rep-resented, such as alpaca, buffalo and yak. There were demonstrations of fiber arts by various regional artists and a wide array of different products and different art mediums. Planning for next year’s festival has already started and information for next year’s festival should be available soon. The group hopes to grow the annual festival in the coming years, making it a destination event for lo-cals and out of state fiber and craft enthusiasts as well as an opportunity for wool and other fiber producers to sell their products. More information is available on the festival’s website: prairiehandspinnersfiberfest.com. The festival is sponsored by the Prairie Handspinner Guild. The group consists of about 60 members and covers a 150 mile radius of Billings. The Handspinners meet on the first Saturday afternoon of every month (September

though May) from 1:00 to 4:00 at the Yellowstone Art Museum Visible Vault. The focus of the guild is spinning, weaving, knitting, crocheting, dyeing and education. For more information and up-coming events & demonstra-tions you can find the group on their Facebook page "Prairie Handspinners Guild" or you can contact Tammy at [email protected] or Heather Johnson at [email protected].





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Have EWE Herd the Good News? By Jesse Wallewein, MWGA Executive Secretary

The Golden Shears World Championships are held every two years and involves competing at multiple local Ameri-can competitions to qualify for one of the 6 team openings. This years team representing the USA is made up of the following individuals, proudly representing 5 states and utilizing talent from multiple regions. Machine Shearing Alex Moser- Lester, Iowa Loren Opstedahl- Piedmont, South Dakota Blade Shearing Kevin Ford- Charlemont, Massachusetts Loren Opstedahl- Piedmont, South Dakota Wool Handling Leanne Brimmer- Biddle, Montana Maggie Passino- Charlottesville, Virginia The Golden Shears World Championships will be held in Southland, New Zealand in February 2017. The Montana

Wool Growers will be donating a portion of the money raised at the Annual Convention Speed Shear & Calcutta

Event held the evening of Friday, December 2nd, to help our local shearers make the trip.

Congratulations to Lisa Surber on her New Position at ASI! Bozeman’s Lisa Surber has recently joined the group at ASI as their Raw Wool

Services Consultant! Currently finishing up her position with WestFeeds as a Nutri-

tion Consultant, Surber will start her work with ASI full time after Thanksgiving. She

will be working to maximize the value of the U.S. wool clip through education,

working with the industry and developing quality improvement programs.

When asked what she was looking forward to the most in her new position,

Surber replied, “I’m most looking forward to working with wool producers again, helping them improve their wool

clip through enhanced wool preparation and marketing. Wool is my passion. The wool industry is changing, must

like other livestock industries, and we have to be progressive if we want to meet these challenges.”

Lisa will continue to live in Montana as she travels the country working to improve the American wool clip

through educational seminars, classes and training.

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What started out as a normal event for the consignors and buyers at the 91st Annual Montana Ram Sale, turned into a sale that many will never forget. The day started out like any other. Buzz and excitement filled the air as potential buyers started to arrive in Miles City to look over the rams and speak to the consignors. For one fami-ly, Chase and Emily Hibbard of Sieben Live Stock, this would be their last sale. The Hibbard family has been consigning rams to the Montana Ram Sale since 1950 and have chosen to retire their purebred sheep opera-tion this year.

Before Chase Hibbard sold his first ram of the sale, a Targhee Stud ram, friend and fellow consignor Jack McRae, honored the legacy that Sieben Live Stock has built upon over the last 65 years. McRae told an in-credible story of which Chase’s Dad, Hank Hibbard, sort-ed through 10,000 Rambouillet ewes to find 800 that were of Targhee “type” to start their Targhee flock. Sieben Live Stock has never missed a sale since they be-gan consigning and over the years have sold 3,072 rams (not counting 2016). Most of their flock has been sold now. Over the years, Chase has helped out many young producers so it seemed fitting that his ewes stay in Mon-tana. For the most part, the majority of his ewes will be going to younger producers. Chase took a moment to say a few words before his 3073rd ram sold:

“It has been an honor and a privilege to serve this industry and to be a part of this sale. This is the most progressive sale in the United States and it shows. We’ve got information that nobody else has, we’ve made tremendous progress with the introduction of NSIP and even more when we went to the range index. We’ve got a wonderful sale and I’m so honored to be a part of this. I’m really encouraged at this point at the number of new producers and young consignors that are coming in. Things are looking good for the industry! This is a great organization and a great sale so let’s sell ram #3073!”

With this being their last sale, people were eager to get the last of Sieben Live Stock’s genetics. Chase’s Targhee stud ram went on to sell for $7,750, which broke the sale record for the highest selling Targhee Stud ram. That ram was bought by the TLE Ranch from Gillette, Wyoming. Sieben Live Stock would go on to break the sale record for the highest selling range ram sold for $11,250, purchased by Heinrich Ortmann, Sam Ortmann, and Hughes Newford Co., all of Montana. They later

broke their own sale record by selling a ram for $14,000, purchased by Judy Scanlan of Malin, Oregon.

The Hibbard Family and Sieben Live Stock will be greatly missed in the sheep industry and at next year’s sale. MWGA would like to thank them for the profound contributions that they have made over the years and the efforts they have put in to grow and strengthen our industry. Helle Rambouillet of Dillon had the highest sell-ing Rambouillet ram that sold for $2,200 and was pur-chased by Lehfeldt Rambouillets of Lavina. Heart Lazy P Suffolks of Miles City had the highest selling blackface ram that sold for $1,450 and was purchased by Lane Green of Cohagen, MT.

Tunby Targhees donated a ram at the beginning of the sale with all proceeds going to the MWGA Schol-arship Fund. The ram raised $900 for the scholarship fund and was bought by Big Dry Angus, Jack & Kathryn McRae. Sieben Livestock also donated a ram with the proceeds going to the Miles City FFA Chapter. The ram sold twice, raising $1,800. First purchaser was McRae, Sam Ortmann, and Carolyn Green for $1,400. The ram was donated back and resold for $400 to Neena Stead-man of Miles City. Thank you!

Records Set at 91st Annual Montana Ram Sale

By Jesse Wallewein

Ram Sale consignor Jack McRae honors long time

friend and consignor Chase Hibbard of SIeben Live-

stock before the last of his rams sold in Miles City.

Photo courtesy of Chet Holmes

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91st Annual Montana Ram Sale Results:

Sale Gross on 310 Range Rams: $264,425.00 Sale Average on 310* Range Rams: $852.98 Columbia Ram Average on 5 Head: $270.00 Rambouillet X Merino Ram Average on 12 head: $483.33 (Low $300, High $700) Merino/SAMM Ram Average on 5 head: $540.00 (Low $350, High $700) Targhee Ram Average on 222 head: $931.64 (Low $175, High $14,000) Suffolk X Hampshire Ram Average on 8 Head: $800 (Low $600, High $900) Suffolk Ram Average on 23 Head: $778.26 (Low $450, High $1,450) Rambouillet Ram Average on 35 Head: $670.00 (Low $200, High $2,200)

*figures include stud rams

The Montana Ram and Ewe Sales had a com-bined gross of $378,875 and saw 120 registered bidders from Montana, South Dakota, Idaho, North Dakota, Col-orado, Washington, Oregon, and Wyoming. While aver-ages were lower this year than last year, the sale was still a very successful one! Both sales were handled by Fron-tier Stockyards of Miles City and even with all the new “additions” to the same this year, they went off without a hitch! These sales wouldn’t be possible without the many volunteers and generous donations from the Miles City Community. A special thanks goes out to: the Pow-derville Pioneers 4-H Club, Miles City FFA Chapter, Mick Weist, Jack Hedstrom, Cowtown Ag Supply, DNRC Fire Crew, Jack McRae, Ian McRae, Cord Bieber, Dave Hin-naland, Ralph McWilliams, Brent Roeder, Mike Schuldt, Marko Manoukian, Ben Hauptman, Sam Graves, John Sampsel, Megan Van Emmon, Caroline Roeder, Chet Holmes, Geneal Bott, Kent Williams, Ken McKay, Chuck Dallas, Henry Hollenbeck, Ben Lehfeldt, Kevin Halverson, Pat Murphy and crew, Lenora McEwen, Debbie Talcott, Shanna Talcott, Shirley Halverson, Luanne Wallewein, Sam Ortmann, Dana Penrod, Cheryl Schuldt, and Greg Wichman. The brand new livestock pavilion that was built this past year housed the rams and as you can tell from the picture, it gave the Montana Ram Sale quite the updated look. Everyone was very impressed with the new facilities and all the work that was put into getting it set up and ready for the Ram Sale! We’ll see everyone next year with even more quality yearling ewes and rams at the 92nd Annual Montana Ram Sale and the 4th Annual Montana Ewe Sale, September 13-14th, 2017 in Miles City!

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3rd Annual MT Ewe Sale Remains Strong with Quality Replacement Females Offered

By Cheryl Schuldt, Ewe Sale Manager

The third annual Montana Ewe Sale saw 398 quality commercial yearling whiteface and Suffolk ewe lambs sell in Miles City on Wednesday, September 14. The whiteface yearling ewes represented Targhee, Rambouillet, Merino and TargheeXRambouillet breed-ing. All of the whiteface ewes averaged $284.00 with pens of 10 averaging $372 while pens of 20 were $287. Two pens of Suffolk ewe lambs averaged $400. Overall the average was $287 on all ewes sold—very similar to last year’s ewe sale average of $289. “This strong average is a reflection of the quality of breeding stock offered and the buyer assurance of healthy, productive ewes that come from the MT Ewe Sale,” according to Ewe Sale Chair-man Cord Bieber. Ewe Sale buyers were from Montana, South Dakota, and Idaho with some ewes sold over the internet. The high selling pen of 10 and 20 Targhee yearlings were both consigned by Carolyn Green of Melville, MT and both lots were purchased by Brady Ruff of Forsyth for $550 and $400/head, respectively. Volume buyers of on-site sheep were Phillips Creek Ranch located at Cohagen, MT taking home 60 head and McGinnis Ranch north of Sidney, MT purchased 50 head. Sven Svenson of Reedpoint, MT purchased the off-site lot of 100 head. The Ewe Sale committee would like to thank all those that came to see and bid on this year’s offering and we look forward to seeing all of you again in 2017! Listed below is a sale summary of the 2016 MT Ewe Sale:

Lot/Consignor Type Ewe Head Buyer/State Price/Head

601/Carolyn Green Targhee Yrl 10 Brady Ruff/MT $550

602/MT Sheep Co Targhee Yrl 10 Michael Hunt/SD $400

603/Lehfeldt Rambouillets Rambouillet Yrl 10 Klaboe Livestock/MT $375

604/Killen Land & Livestock

Targhee X Rambouillet Yrl 9 James Foran/MT $275

605/Bieber Land Targhee Yrl 10 McGinnis Ranch/MT $350

606/Dallas Sheep Outfit Targhee Yrl 10 Sam Graves/MT $300

607/Scot & Shannon Tamblyn Merino Yrl 10 Henry Ortmann/MT $400

608/Bieber Land Targhee Yrl 10 Levi Bucklin/MT $350

609/Hughes Newford Co Targhee Yrl 10 John Bucklin/MT $350

610/Kim Knutson Suffolk Lamb 5 Brady Ruff/MT $350

611/Heart Lazy P Suffolk Lamb 5 Lane Green/MT $450

612/Carolyn Green Targhee Yrl 20 Brady Ruff/MT $400

613/Hughes Newford Co Targhee Yrl 20 McGinnis Ranch/MT $275

614/Bieber Land Targhee Yrl 20 Marko Manoukian/MT $300

615/Killen Land & Livestock Targhee Yrl 20 Phillips Creek Ranch/MT $250

616/Hollenbeck Land & Livestock Targhee X Rambouillet Yrl 19 Sheila Hasselstrom/ID $275

617/Darold Tomsheck Targhee Yrl 20 Marko Manoukian/MT $300

618/Carolyn Green Targhee Yrl 20 McGinnis Ranch/MT $325

619/Bieber Land Targhee Yrl 20 Mike Capra/MT $250

620/Killen Land & Livestock Targhee X Rambouillet Yrl 20 Phillips Creek Ranch/MT $250

621/Hollenbeck Land & Livestock Targhee X Rambouillet Yrl 20 Phillips Creek Ranch/MT $250

622/Lehfeldt Rambouillets Rambouillet Yrl 100 Sven Svenson/MT $200

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Benefit Ewe Auctions Raise a Total of $3,800 By Cheryl Schuldt, Ewe Sale Manager

Prior to the start of the 3rd Annual Ewe Sale Hughes Newford Co of Stanford, MT donated one Targhee Yearling Ewe to be auctioned off. The proceeds from this benefit ewe will go to-wards the Lamb 300 program that Dr. Whit Stewart, MSU Extension Sheep Specialist, is coordinating later this fall. Whit described the Lamb 300 program to the crowd and how the monies raised from this ewe will help provide scholarships to those individuals from Mon-tana that are interested in attending Lamb 300 in Wyoming.

Bidding was lively as the largest crowd ever to attend the ewe sale began. A total of $1200 was raised on this ewe. We would like to rec-ognize the people that helped raise the money for Lamb 300 this year:

The first successful bidder was the combination of Jack McRae of Jordan and Randy Tunby of Baker pooling their funds to bid $500. Jack and Randy then donated the ewe to sell again, this time the winning bid came from Thomas Blaine Woodson of WA at $350. Thomas also donated the ewe back and the $350 final bid came from Timber Coulee Columbias/Luanne Wallewein from Sunburst, MT.

Blue Bell Sheep Company located at Molt, MT generously donated another TargheeXRambouillet Yearling Ewe later in the sale that was sold prior to their LOT 616. Henry Hollenbeck representing Blue Bell Sheep Co explained the Young Entrepreneur group that he and his wife Sara are very involved with. The Young Entrepreneur group will meet at the 2017 ASI Convention in Denver, CO in January and the benefit auction helps young producers attend in the form of travel scholarships.

The crowd had a lot of fun with this benefit ewe and she sold six times before finding a home! The first buyer to strike was the combo of Jack McRae and Randy Tunby again at $350. The second winning bid came from Sieben Live Stock Company of Adel, MT at $500 and they donated the ewe to be sold again. Lehfeldt Rambouillets of Lavina, MT, longtime supporters, also bid $500 and donated the ewe back. Blue Bell Sheep Company then bid $400

and was the successful fourth owner of the benefit ewe. Henry donated the ewe once again to raise travel funds for the Young Entrepreneur Program. This time the high bid of $450 came from John Green of Melville, MT and he also resold her! In a grand finale bid once again the ewe was sold for $400 for the last time and went home with Timber Coulee Columbias. This ewe raised a total of $2600.

Thanks to everyone that were the successful bidders for both of these ewes and also the contending bidders that made these auctions so much fun for all that were there!

Henry Hollenbeck of Blue Bell Sheep Company explains the Young Entrepreneur Program

and how the funds of the donated ewe will help. Photo courtesy of Chet Holmes

Betty Sampsel of Hughes Newford Co. stands nearby in the ring as her donated

ewe sold and raised $1200. Photo courtesy of Chet Holmes

38

In Memory

The Montana Woolgrower’s Memorial Fund

The Montana Woolgrower Memorial Fund (official name “Educational and Research Endowment Fund”) was es-tablished in 1983 when over $100 was sent to the association in memory of Miles City sheepman/wool buyer, Duncan McDonald. A savings account was established for such a purpose and others, wanting to remember longtime sheepmen, be they friends or relatives, made similar donations. In 1984 the Board filed the necessary papers to make such gifts tax deductible and a three-person board was ap-pointed to oversee the account. The original board consisted of Don McKamey, Bill Lehfeldt, and Ralph Dreyer. Funds must be used for educational or research purposes only and cannot be used for expenses of the Woolgrow-ers Association. The present board consists of Jim Whiteside, chairman, John Baucus, and Bob Lehfeldt. Those wishing to make a donation should make the check out to Montana Woolgrower Association Memorial Fund and send it to the Helena office. You will receive a receipt and if the memorial donation is sent in memory of some-one, that person’s family will also receive an acknowledgement.

Bill Lehfeldt

Bob Gilbert

Dr. Bill Hawkins

John and Nina Baucus

Bill Lehfeldt

Gordan & Marilyn Darlinton

Jim Drummond

Gordan & Marilyn Darlinton

James Drummond, Sr. February 9, 1921-August 3, 2016

On Wednesday, August 3, 2016, a silent formation of B-24 Liberator

bombers flew above Bozeman. A single bomber dropped out of for-

mation to fly at rooftop level where the last missing brother, a young

lieutenant, strapped into the pilot’s seat. The lone Liberator rose to

rejoin the squadron, which soared home to the heavens, their final mis-

sion complete.

James Drummond Sr. was born in Anaconda, Montana, on February 9,

1921, to Scottish immigrants, Thomas and Jane Drummond. He grew

up on the Mount Haggin Livestock Ranch between Anaconda and Deer

Lodge and graduated from Powell County High School. His youth was

full of stories of tending vast flocks of Hampshire sheep, putting up hay

with horse drawn mowers, buck rakes and beaver slides, and daily

ranch chores alongside his brothers, Dave and Tom.

Upon graduation from high school in 1941, Jim enrolled in Animal Indus-

try at Montana State College (now MSU). His college aspirations were

interrupted when he was called to the service of his country in Octo-

ber, 1943. After a short 40-hour pilot training, Jim, along with a crew

of 12 other young men in their late teens and early 20’s, began a jour-

ney across the ocean in a newly built B-24 Liberator to join with the

484th bomb group in Italy to battle Nazi Germany aggressions. Jim

flew 50 successful bombing missions at a time when over a third of the

aircraft flying each mission did not return home.

39

On several missions all of the other aircraft in his

squadron succumbed to flak or enemy fighters leav-

ing his young crew the only Liberator to drop

bombs and return to base. He received numerous

commendations as a pilot including the Air Medal

with Oak leaf clusters. After his 50th mission, Jim

was deployed back to Texas to serve as an instruc-

tor pilot until the end of World War II.

When the war ended in 1945, Jim returned to Mon-

tana State College to complete his degree in Animal

Industry. As a student at MSC, Jim was active in the

Alpha Gamma Rho fraternity where he met many

lifelong friends. He was a Bobcat letterman letter-

ing in wrestling his junior and senior years. He was

manager of the Little International Livestock Expo-

sition, a student senator and the co-editor of the

1948 MSC annual, the Montanan. His co-editor,

George Watson, would eventually become his

brother-in-law. While at MSC, Jim became enam-

ored with a young Kappa Delta, Betty Watson, who

was the daughter of Irish homesteaders from the

prairie of Eastern Montana. The two became one

and were able to continue their hand-holding and

love affair for 67 years. His final words in life were

“I love you” to Betty. Jim earned a Masters Degree

in Animal Science at the University of Wyoming and

returned to Bozeman to become an Animal Science

Professor, Montana Extension Service Sheep Spe-

cialist and Director of the Montana Wool Laborato-

ry. He held these positions until his retirement in

1980.

Jim was involved in the Bozeman Community

throughout his working career and long into retire-

ment. Jim was an active Boy Scout leader and

eventually became chairman of the Mountain Valley

District, BSA and on the board of directors of the

Montana Council, BSA. He served as the DeMolay

Dad Advisor, a 4-H judge, a ham radio operator

(N7HEU), and chairman of the doughnut shop daily

coffee klatch. He was a Master Mason and member

of Bozeman Masonic Lodge #18. Along with Betty,

Jim was especially involved in the Lilly of the Valley

Eastern Star where he served as Worthy Patron,

and eventually served the State of Montana as the

Worthy Grand Patron.

Of all his titles, Jim was most proud of “Dad” and

“Grandpa”. In his later years his greatest enjoyment

came from camping with his grandchildren, teach-

ing them how to operate a swather or a wood

lathe, or patiently standing at their side on the

banks of a stream with a fly rod. He was a man of

principals and honor who loved his country, his

family and anything “Made in Montana.”

He died peacefully surrounded by his family. Jim is

survived by Betty, his companion of 67 years; his

brother, Tom (Ruth); sons, Jim (Leslie), Bill (Nora),

Bob (Linda); and his grandchildren, Kris, Taylor, Bri-

an, Rachael and Natalie; and a number of nieces

and nephews. He was preceded in death by his par-

ents and his brother, Dave.

Memorials may be made in his name to Montana

Council Boy Scouts of America, 1902 W. Dickerson

St. #104, Bozeman, MT 59718 or to the M.S.U. Foun-

dation/College of Agriculture, P.O. Box 172750, Bo-

zeman, MT 59717.

Trenton Reil Meyer June 26, 1966-August 16, 2016

On the morning of Aug. 16, 2016, our beloved hus-

band, father, uncle and friend, Trenton Reil Meyer,

50, passed away after a long and courageous battle

with rare T-cell lymphoma cancer. Trenton was a

true warrior. He never backed down from a battle

and the doctor’s attested he endured more for

much longer than any other person would have

been able to. (continued on the next page)

40

Although he is not here to see the overwhelming outpouring of love and support, it’s amazing to see how he impacted and in-spired so many people in so many different ways.

Trenton was born on June 26, 1966, in Idaho Falls, Idaho. His family lived there for a short time before returning to Belle Fourche, S.D., where he spent his childhood and had many fond memories of growing up. Trenton was an outside kid. He spent countless hours catching pigeons (which he raised), shooting birds that bothered his pigeons and other birds, hunting, trap-ping and exploring the never ending gravel roads and rivers around town. Trenton attended high school for two years in Hulett, Wyo., and returned to Belle Fourche for his senior year. After high school, Trenton relocated to Billings, where he spent many years working in the wool and lamb industry, sheep herd-ing and guiding in the back country, working at Stillwater Mine and eventually opening his own successful oil field service busi-ness.

Trenton married Jody Johnson on Sept. 9, 2000, and in 2004 they relocated to Red Desert, Wyo., to build a business, start a family and follow their dreams. They were blessed with three beautiful daughters Tess (7), Timber (2.5) and Teigan (1). Daddy made sure that the first word each of them spoke was “elk.”

As Trenton grew up, his passion for hunting became an obses-sion. He loved hunting deer, antelope and especially elk. He be-came an extremely successful archery hunter and this could be seen by the numerous trophy mounts at the family home, shop and numerous businesses that helped house them. When Au-gust came everyone knew Trenton’s mind was zeroed in on scouting for the biggest and best in the area and he would be hard to find.

Another passion held closely to his heart was his love of the sport of arm wrestling. He happened onto a tournament one night at a local bar in 1988 and he was hooked from then on. Through his arm wrestling adventures he had the opportunity to travel the world and win four World Championships and numer-ous national and state titles. For several years he was recognized as the best left handed super heavy weight arm wrestler in the world. He was respected and revered by many in the sport be-cause he always took the time to help, mentor and train anyone who showed an interest. The sport gave him so many deep and meaningful relationships and it is amazing how the arm wres-tling family takes care of their own, especially in situations like these.

Trenton is survived by his loving wife Jody; his three incredible daughters Tess, Timber and Teigan and many other family mem-bers and friends that loved and cared for him so much!

William Harold Lehfeldt February 18, 1922-October 1, 2016

William H. (Bill) Lehfeldt, surrounded by his family, passed away peacefully on October 1, 2016 at the age of 94. Dad was born on February 18th, 1922 in Ryegate to Sid and Anna Lehfeldt. He grew up in Lavina and graduated from Lavina High School. After graduation, he attended Montana School of Mines in Butte where he met his fu-ture wife of 66 years, Barbara Jean Forsell. Dad served in the Army Air Corp and was the pilot of a “Widowmaker” B26 Bomber. He was awarded the Distinguished… Flying Cross after being shot down over Germany. At the end of WWII, Bill returned to Lavina and his life-long passion for ranching. Dad was always proud to be a sheep producer and carry on the tradition established two generations prior. While ranching in Lavina, he also served on the Board for the Production Credit Associa-tion, the Montana Woolgrowers Association and the Lavina School Board. We will always remember his ability to recall the history of the area and tell great stories; give advice about the “best investments”; and talk politics. He was a friend to so many…. Always the last to leave a good party and enjoy a good dance! Dad is preceded in death by his wife, Barbara and his par-ents Sid and Anna. He is survived by a sister, Mary Ann Schraudner; two sons - Bob (Marie) and John (Ellen) both of Lavina; two daughters - Susan (Donnell) Burnett of Billings and Wendy (Roger) Doely of Lavina; eleven grandchildren and 18 great grandchildren.

41

(continued from previous page) Dad/Grandpa you are no longer a part of our lives, but forever in our hearts. A rosary celebrating Dad’s life will be held on Thursday October 6th at 7:00 pm at Wier Funeral Home in Round-up. A funeral mass will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday Oc-tober 7th at St. Benedicts Catholic Church in Roundup. Burial will be at the Lavina Cemetery followed by a luncheon at the Lavina Senior Center. Per Dad’s wishes, a dance will follow at the Cozy Corner Bar. Come and celebrate a Life Well Lived! The family would like to acknowledge the compassion-ate care provided by the staff at Billings Health and Re-habilitation and St. Vincent’s Hospital in Dad’s final weeks. Donations can be made in his name to the Friends of the Adams Hotel or the Lavina Senior Center.

Lane Green, Cohagen, MT

Kiehl Ranch, Winnett, MT

Warner Ranch, Sun River, MT

Cedric Coolahan, Broadus, MT

John & Joanne Roos, Terry, MT

Kate Rehm, Miles City, MT

Sheila Hasselstrom, Winchester, ID

Phillips Creek Ranch, Cohagen, MT

Leo Barthelmess, Malta, MT

42

Breeder’s Directory Contact MWGA if you would like to be listed here

Columbia MT COLUMBIA SHEEP ASSN. Raina Blackman, Sec. 2987 Craig Frontage Road Wolf Creek, MT 59648 (406) 235-4227 [email protected]

BLACKMAN COLUMBIAS Scott & Raina Blackman 2987 Craig Frontage Road Wolf Creek, MT 59684 (406) 235-4227 [email protected]

CROSSROADS COLUMBIAS Conner Klick PO Box 252 Simms, MT 59477 (406) 264-5989 (406) 590-5172 PRAIRIE ISLAND Jim & Margaret Eller 415 Knapstad Road Sun River, MT 59483 (406) 264-5426 [email protected] PAT & BEV GIBBS 513 Van Norman Road PO Box 382 Jordan, MT 59337 (406) 977-2852 [email protected] DOUG HITCH P.O. Box 368 Hobson, MT 59452 (406) 423-5651 [email protected] LANGHUS COLUMBIAS Gene and Mary Langhus 147 Main Boulder Road Big Timber, MT 59011 (406) 932-4718 [email protected]

www.langhussheep.com DOUG & RITA PIERCE P.O. Box 134 Harlowton, MT 59036 (406) 632-4419 [email protected]

TIMBER COULEE COLUMBIAS Luanne Wallewein P.O. Box 129 Sunburst, MT 59482 (406) 937-2775 [email protected] DOMINGO LOZANO 198 Nye Road PO Box 325 Absarokee, MT 59001 (406) 321-2688 HART SHEEP COMPANY Brian Hart 74 Truly Loop Great Falls, MT 59405 (406) 736-5750 [email protected] HOCHSTRAT COLUMBIAS Kathy Hochstrat 4021 US Highway 12 West White Sulfur Springs, MT 59645

(406) 547-4199 [email protected] Hampshire DAVID AND JENNIFER BRECK P.O. Box 1331 Big Timber, MT 59011 (406) 932-6404 [email protected] EDNA ENGLERT 114 Bridger Fromberg Road Bridger, MT 59014 (406) 662-3236 Rambouillet HELLE RAMBOUILLETS John Helle 1350 Stone Creek Road Dillon, MT 59725 (406) 683-6686 [email protected] www.finewoolsheep.com LEHFELDT RAMBOUILLETS Bob, Marie, Ben, and Jamie Lehfeldt P.O. Box 175 Lavina, MT 59046 (406) 636-2731 [email protected]

Shropshire CRAGO FAMILY RANCH Mark and Jennifer Crago 22 Maki Hill Road Columbus, MT 59019 (406) 322-9935 [email protected] South African Meat Merino GENE AND MARY LANGHUS 147 Main Boulder Road Big Timber, MT 59011 (406) 932-4718 [email protected]

www.langhussheep.com Suffolk MONTANA SUFFOLK ASSN. 296 Wyttenhove Lane Miles City, MT 59301 (406) 232-1060 www.mtsuffolksheep.org DAWE SUFFOLKS Robertta & Kevin Dawe 2 Ten Mile Lane Big Timber, MT 59011 (406) 932-6529 [email protected] HEART LAZY P SUFFOLKS Dana Penrod 51 Perkins Lane Miles City, MT 59301 (406) 234-2648 [email protected] wwwheartlazypsuffolk.com KNUTSON SUFFOLK Kim Knutson P.O. Box 250 Clyde Park, MT 59018 (406) 578-9175 [email protected] www.knutsonsuffolks.com McKAY SUFFOLKS Bill McKay/Scott McKay (406) 866-3368/(406) 799-5398

P.O. Box 71 Ulm, MT 59485-0071 http://mckaysuffolks.weebly.com/

[email protected]

MITCHELL’S MILEHIGH RANCH The Mitchell & Creason Families

142 Pine Creek Road Livingston, MT 59047 (406) 222-3208 [email protected] MURRAY SUFFOLKS Walt and Angela Murray 174 Tongue River Road Miles City, MT 59301 (406) 234-2676 [email protected] RATH SUFFOLKS 296 Wyttenhove Lane Miles City, MT 59301 (406) 232-1060 STEVENS RANCH Norm and Gail Stevens P.O. Box 286 Joliet, MT 59041 (406) 962-3558 [email protected] www.stevensranchsuffolk.com

Suffolk X Hampshire GIBBS RANGE RAMS Pat and Bev Gibbs 513 Van Norman Road Jordan, MT 59337 (406) 557-2852 [email protected]

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Targhee MT TARGHEE SHEEP ASSN. Elisha Lewis, secretary 342 Svenson Road Reed Point, MT 59069 (406) 326-2306 [email protected] LEO BARTHELMESS 25826 Content Road Malta, MT 59538 (406) 658-2627 [email protected] SKULL CREEK TARGHEES Kristin and Cord Bieber 409 Skull Creek Road Brockway, MT 59214 (406) 672-4471 [email protected] DALLAS SHEEP OUTFIT Chuck Dallas, Mardy, Cassie, & Cody Dallas 131 Horse Creek Road South Wilsall, MT 59086 (406) 578-2159 [email protected] EVERETT RANCH Marie Everett 3098 Mack Smith Lane Stevensville, MT 59870 (406) 777-5217 [email protected] CAROLYN I. GREEN P.O. Box 266 Melville, MT 59055 (406) 537-4472 [email protected] HUGHES NEWFORD CO. John and Betty Sampsel P.O. Box 558 Stanford, MT 59479 (406) 566-2700 [email protected] KORMAN RANCH TARGHEES Ron and Maxine Korman P.O. Box 162 (406) 648-5536 [email protected]

LEWIS FAMILY RANCH Ralph, Elisha, Ryan, and Rory Lewis 342 Svenson Road Reed Point, MT 59069 (406) 326-2306 [email protected] McRAE BROTHERS TARGHEES Jack and Kathryn McRae 31 McRae Lane Jordan, MT 59337 (406) 557-6266 [email protected] MONTANA AG EXP STATION Dr. Whit Stewart Montana State University Bozeman, MT 59717 (406) 994-3415 [email protected] MONTANA SHEEP COMPANY Brent, Tracie, Ben, & Caroline Roeder 950 County Line Road Fort Shaw, MT 59443 (406) 467-2462 [email protected] ORTMANN TARGHEES Henry Ortmann (406) 392-5277 Sam Ortmann 4169 Road 1081 Wolf Point, MT 59201 (406) 392-5356 [email protected] PAUGH, INC. Jerry Paugh (406) 962-3636 [email protected] John Paugh, Jr. 525 Coulee Drive Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 585-9356 [email protected] SIEBEN LIVE STOCK CO. Chase T. Hibbard P.O. Box 835 Helena, MT 59624 (406) 442-1803 [email protected]

TUNBY RANCH Randy Tunby P.O. Box 1244 Baker, MT 59313 (406) 772-5627 [email protected] FRONT RANGE SHEEP CO. Justin, Amy, McKinlee, & Natalee 860 Hwy 431 Fairfield, MT 59436 (406) 980-0325 [email protected]

CLOVER MEADOWS, LLC Cal & Julie Ward 3424 MT Hwy 287 Sheridan, MT 59749 (406) 842-5235 [email protected]

AIDEN FOUHY 258 Butte Creek Road Peerless, MT 59253 (406) 939-3911 [email protected] PRUITT TARGHEES Rachel, Aaron, Ruby, Cora Pruitt

65 Vita Court Bozeman, MT 59718 (406) 579-0143 [email protected] Merino LAST CHANCE MERINOS Scot and Shannon Tamblyn PO Box 227 Shepherd, MT (406) 794-1036 (406) 794-5913 [email protected] JEWELL MERINOS 0280 CR 259-A Rifle, CO 81650 h. (970) 625-1578 C. (970) 379-0397 John C. (970) 379-9760 Georg Ann [email protected] Targhee X Columbia RAFTER RANCH Don and Liz Jones 64542 Highway 43 Wise River, MT 59762 (406) 832-3219

White Suffolk GARY HEILIG 1002 Kirkemindes Rd. Moore, MT 59464 (406) 374-2313 [email protected] Guard & Working Dogs Great Pyrenees, Akbash, Ko-mondor, Border Collie, Aus-tralian, & Anatolian Shep-herds 5-R STOCKDOGS Marvin Dunster & Carrie Bigelow

326 Covert Lane Billings, MT 59101 (406) 670-3575 (406) 208-8576 Sharplaninac, Pyrenees, & Maremma Guard Dogs J. KERMIT & SANDY PETERSEN

1411 22nd Ave. N. W. Sidney, MT 59270 h. (406) 482-3016 C. (406) 480-4193 Spanish Mastiff LEO BARTHELMESS 25826 Content Road Malta, MT 59538 (406) 658-2627 [email protected] Spanish Mastiff, Pyrenean Mastiffs, Turkish Kangals, and LGD Crosses CINCO DESEOS RANCH Brenda M. Negri Winnemucca, Nevada [email protected] www.lgdnevada.com c. (775) 931-0038 h. (775) 623-6292 Akbash/Great Pyrenees Triple 9 Ranch David & Tracy Kelsey 25279 US HWY 191 N Buffalo, MT 59418 Home (406) 374-2440 Cell (406) 380-2132

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Montana Wool Growers Association PO Box 25 Whitlash, MT 59545 (406) 450-3429

Documents

Convention 2016 - Montana Wool Growers Associationmtsheep.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/Convention-final2.compressed.pdfNovember 3-5, 2016 Lamb 300 Course Laramie, WY November 9,