We love the fair and everything about the fair, and this is just a small part of what makes fair season awesome! We were very honored to have Alyssa Modrich select Calf 609 as her prospect beef project this year. With Alyssa's hard work with this calf, showmanship skills and some nice breeding this calf rewarded her with Grand Champion Prospect Beef at the St. Clair County 4-H & Youth Fair. This being Alyssa's last year in 4-H, we are so happy that she was able to experience this championship and that she selected one of our calves this spring for her final beef project. Hopefully one of Alyssa's younger siblings will decide to bring 609 back in 2017 as a fair steer. Great job Alyssa and congratulations.
Congratulations, Lindsey Uppleger, on taking this girl to a championship at the St. Clair County 4-H & Youth Fair. This five-year old ewe 91317 Larson 70285 x 92248 Clover Bottom 09037 was named Grand Champion Aged Ewe. This was a ewe out of my first set of lambs born on the farm. I remember that day like yesterday, so exciting, but yet scared because they were born on one of the coldest days on record. Mo (Polypay wether) that kept my ewes company back in 2011 alerted me to their arrival at 9:30 p.m. by baaaa'ing out of character and I knew immediately there was something wrong. Visiting the barn, I found two ewes on the ground and a very attentive mother. I attempted to dry them the best I could, but by the time I got up the next morning to check on them I realized they had tiny little icicles from their tiniest little spiral curls. But their mouths were warm and their mother was caring for them in her now typical excellent manner. Since then I have gotten five more sets of twins out of that ewe. She's getting old, but she's still my favorite ewe (Freesie).
Congratulations to Kyle Uppleger (tallest young man in the blue check shirt) for winning Best Fleece on Hoof at the St. Clair County 4-H & Youth Fair. This award is earned by the sheep with the best fleece. This ewe was a girl that I purchased from Brian Larson, via Bev Boersma back in 2013.
This little beauty (Ira Acres 70 Faye) shown by another beauty, Becca Winalis, was named Grand Champion Ewe Lamb. This lamb was born in early April, one of Modred's offspring (93568 Larson 13049 Modred x 93759 Ira Acres 6 Faith). This lamb's mother was named Grand Champion Aged Ewe. Apparently the judge, Karen Valley, has an eye for this line of my sheep. Congratulations, Becca, on a great night of showing sheep. Becca was also named Grand Champion Showman and was able to compete in Sweepstakes Showmanship.
This young ram (Ira Acres 66 Shadi) was named Reserve Champion ram lamb behind Emma Rabine's young Jacob ram. This little ram is extra special to me, since I bottle fed him the last three weeks before he was weaned. His mother passed due to an infection that she was unable to battle. Shown by Carson Black, who is equally special, this lamb would make a beautiful herd sire for someone, or will be enjoyed by others in another special way. (93568 Larson 13049 Modred x 10272 Ira Acres 15 Sandy).
Our Walking Fleece project area in St. Clair County has grown tremendously over the last five years. This project area was begun because it was believed that the judges that were brought in to evaluate the market lambs were not adequately qualified, but probably more likely motivated to give the wool breed sheep a proper appraisal. Now a judge is hired that has a strong fiber background who can judge the fiber projects exhibited, along with the wool breed sheep a/k/a Walking Fleece. This project in the five years has grown from about 5 sheep to about 50 sheep. Our farm is happy to allow the 4-H exhibitors of the Rimrock Acres 4-H Club to exhibit some of our Lincoln Sheep. In 2016, 21 exhibitors were able to show sheep in this project area. It was fun to watch them exhibited alongside a vast array of Shetland sheep and Jacob sheep. Each year the fair picks up a new Walking Fleece exhibitor or two.
Our Walking Fleece project area in St. Clair County has grown tremendously over the last five years. This project area was begun because it was believed that the judges that were brought in to evaluate the market lambs were not adequately qualified, but probably more likely motivated to give the wool breed sheep a proper appraisal. Now a judge is hired that has a strong fiber background who can judge the fiber projects exhibited, along with the wool breed sheep a/k/a Walking Fleece. This project in the five years has grown from about 5 sheep to about 50 sheep. Our farm is happy to allow the 4-H exhibitors of the Rimrock Acres 4-H Club to exhibit some of our Lincoln Sheep. In 2016, 21 exhibitors were able to show sheep in this project area. It was fun to watch them exhibited alongside a vast array of Shetland sheep and Jacob sheep. Each year the fair picks up a new Walking Fleece exhibitor or two.