This past six months I had the opportunity to visit over twenty of the leading Suffolk flocks across this great country, looking for new bloodlines to infuse into the Kimm philosophy of “Balanced Genetics”. It is very enjoyable to experience how others approach the task of genetically engineering great Suffolks. Of course the goals for each flock will establish what priorities are to be emphasized and eventually propagated. My thoughts that the Suffolk breed needs to take a step back in size and concentrate on muscle, longevity plus structural soundness, leaves the options of securing new genetics very challenging since I seem to be on this “path less traveled”. I did find some pieces that are very exciting and I have set plans into motion to incorporate some of these strengths into the Kimm program. I will always continue to strive for the “complete package”, that being an animal that can excel in more than just show ring driven traits.

     The show ring continues to be a driving force behind most registered sheep flocks in this nation. I have been known to make this statement before but feel it is worth repeating, many judges have forced breeders to create livestock that are not practical and lack functionally in many categories. Most producers like stock that are easy to look at and can be competitive in the ring but I also want to develop an animal that will work for the commercial industry at the same time and believe this can be accomplished. This opens up many more marketing options and adds greater revenue for the flock. Not every animal can be sold into the show industry thus many will end up at the market place. If a breeder keeps performance and function in their genetic mix there should be additional opportunities to sell commercial rams as well. There is a sheep industry that exists beyond the show ring and in fact it is healthy and regaining vitality. It is a no brainier, producers should want to be a part of this resurgence, especially those flocks that are just getting started and are still establishing their mission statement. Well over half of the hundred plus rams I sell annually go into that portion of the business. The marketing options are much greater if one stays in the “middle of the road”.

     There has been a change in the landscape concerning the structure of the Kimm flock. Rob and Christy Zelinsky are now located in Brookings, SD were Rob is pursuing his PhD and serving as the SDSU Sheep Flock Mgn. The decision to sell their half of the partnership flock came as a surprise and disappointment. They have been great partners and brought some interesting genetics into the sale offering for buyers. I have enjoyed working with them, however time marches on and I know they wanted more free time for Rob to pursue his PhD and spend more quality time with the family. I wish them only the best and know you will hear from Bar-Zel Suffolks down the road. The mature Bar-Zel ewe flock was culled very hard, reducing it from eighty plus head down to fifty-two brood ewes. Rob retained six ewes plus a few ewe lambs and I bought out the remaining forty-six head of mature ewes. Forty of these ewes were moved to Monticello, IA and are now under the supervision of Terry Chapman, a past student of mine. He currently serves as the beef and sheep specialist at Kirkwood Community College, Cedar Rapids, IA. The remaining six Bar-Zel ewes were incorporated into the home base flock at Dysart. Thus, for the most part, the progress made in this breeding program through the infusion of Kimm rams (especially Kimm 22) starting back in 2000 has been secured and will continue to be offered at my annual production sale.

    Another big acquisition for 2005 was the securing of a frame ram (can you believe it!) from the Henderson family, IN. I felt it was time for a complete outcross plus there were buyers wanting more frame from my program, yet I must say size is not measured by the tape but by the scale. You can read all about this yearling on the “Sires for 2006” page of this web site, along with other new rams I used during this past breeding season. Line breeding will continue to be the main theme, with Mc 38 and Kimm 22 playing major roles, especially when you consider over seventy daughters in the flock represent their bloodlines. Not all my endeavors and experiences to secure new genetics this year can be shared at this time but by next spring I hope to tell you “the rest of the story”. I did pull the plug on the Ile de France breeding project. I still think this type of F1 genetics is a natural for the commercial flocks wanting to go more forage based. However I was unable to reach that market with out extra efforts and have decided to just focus on the purebred business.

     One last reminder, if you are a junior producer or have a son or daughter who have showed any of the purchases from my production sale, I have a Jr. Program which is outlined with it’s own page on this site. If you experienced success, please take time to email me a photo and it will be posted on that page, plus you qualify for some credit in the 2006 sale. I will also be nominating my entire 2006 lamb crop to the Junior Futurity Program, now in place for young Suffolk breeders. To learn more about this project, check it out at: http://u-s-s-a.org