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Center of the nation sheep seminars, sale set for Aug. 4 in Spe
Iowa Leading sheep breeders from across the country are expected to travel to Spencer, Iowa, on August 4 for the only sheep seedstock sale of its type, exclusively featuring breeding stock backed by National Sheep Improvement Program expected progeny differences. Hosted by the Northwest Iowa Sheep Producers, the second annual Center of the Nation NSIP Sheep Seminar and Sale will be held in the swine barn at the Clay County Fairgrounds. "We expect more than 100 top-quality stud rams and breeding ewe consignments from Suffolk, Polypay, Hampshire, Targhee, Dorset, and Columbia breeders from eight states," said sale committee member Deb Park of Woodbine, Iowa. "Interest in this year's event is at an all-time high and we're pleased with the positive feedback from last year's attendees." "The sale includes outstanding yearling rams, yearling ewes, ram lambs and ewe lambs bred to add value to commercial and purebred sheep operations through genetic predictability. With the exception of wool breeds, all entries will be slick-shorn, so buyers can easily see the animal's true confirmation, as well as have access to a variety of valuable genetic evaluation records for traits of most value and importance," said sale committee member Kathy Krafka Harkema of Montezuma, Iowa. The free educational seminars are an important part of the national event focused on improving sheep flock productivity and ultimately profitability, through the use of NSIP EPDs. An August 3 seminar designed for breeders using the NSIP will begin at 3:30 p.m., in the swine barn. Sheep breeders whose flocks are enrolled in NSIP, or who are thinking about starting are welcome to attend. Dr. Larry Kuehn, of the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center, Neb., and NSIP Ovine EPD data coordinator Alan Culham, of Michigan State University, in East Lansing, Mich. will lead discussion. Dennis DeWitt, of Iowa State University, will moderate the all-producer seminar starting at 10 a.m., August 4. Dr. Kuehn will highlight how to select both maternal and terminal-cross rams using EPDs to increase bottom-line profits. Dr. Suelee Robb-Asterman will give producers guidelines on the care and handling on newly purchased rams. "These presentations will be of value to all commercial and purebred producers regardless of the size of their flock," said Dewitt. The Northwest Iowa Lamb Producers will have a lamb lunch available following the seminar as attendees have a chance to visit with consignors and preview sale consignments. The Sale will begin promptly at 1 p.m. "This year, with more sheep with even higher EPDs to choose from, we'll start on time to get buyers and their sheep purchases on the road to new homes as quickly as possible," said sale committee member Jerry Sorensen of Harlan. "I have had an opportunity to review the EPDs on some of the maternal rams (Polypay and Targhee) and was pleasantly surprised. A commercial flock wanting to raise their own replacements can find some very valuable sheep in the sale." Kathy Krafka Harkema said terminal-cross sheep consignments are also impressive. "With feed and fuel costs skyrocketing, investing in sheep with excellent EPDs to accelerate you flock's growth is more important than ever to get more for your time and money. Buying sheep with EPDs provides a powerful predictor of the value you can expect from each entry in this truly unique sale featuring quality rams and ewes from the nation's leading breeders for use in all types of sheep operations." Al Conover of Baxter, Iowa, will serve as the sale auctioneer and manager. To obtain a sale catalog, call Conover Auction Service at 641-227-3537 or request by e-mail at conover@conoverauction.com. For more information on the seminars contact Dennis DeWitt at 712-336-3488. Sale committee contacts: --Kathy Krafka Harkema--641-891-4381--truechamp@aol.com; --Mike and Deb Park--712-647-2492; --Jerry Sorensen--712-755-7250--cnnsip@fmctc.com.
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