This edition of A Few Minutes is with Kolby Burch from Coon Rapids, Iowa, the market judge for the State Fair of Texas Market Lamb Show. Enjoy reading our candid interview with Mr. Kolby Burch and be sure to check back for more state fair judge interviews!
What is your background and current involvement in the sheep industry?
My wife, Micky, and I operate Burch Livestock, which consists of 150 ewes for show sheep production and a handful of cows for club calves. My wife is also the Director of the Iowa Sheep Industry Association and I am a Board Member of the Iowa Club Lamb Association. I was raised at the grassroots level of agriculture on an irrigated hay farm in central Wyoming with several hundred cows, sheep and occasionally we tried our hand at raising show pigs. We showed extensively growing up. We liked showing – in part because it was our only means of getting off the farm in the summer so we didn’t have to irrigate and it gave us a chance to socialize. I started my own flock at the age of 4. I’ve maintained a flock ever since then. I didn’t realize the significance of it then, but I raised my first state fair and national show champions while I was in high school; Wyoming State Fair in 1995 and the Champion Speckle in Denver 1998. Although I depended on my Mom and Dad to chore them the bulk of the time at this stage, they were the product of my selection decisions. Livestock judging was also a major part of my upbringing, being the son of a successful collegiate coach. My brother and I had the privilege of traveling the country to major stock shows at a young age.
How does your current operation effect what you look for when evaluating sheep?
I spend countless hours in the barn. I love it out there; I literally just sit in the straw and study. They have to be right in their skeletal build or they aren’t any fun to look at. I’ve always made the claim a tall fronted sheep with a good neck set is naturally more alluring because they seem thrifty, healthy and more likely to out run a predator as opposed to a low-fronted, u-necked, open-bladed sheep that seems to be lethargic and unhealthy. Beyond this, it’s my observation the ewes that usually produce the strongest for us are tough, stout, bold-ribbed, sound and moderate. We intensively, rotationally grazed 120 head of matures April 15 through July 10 on 16 acres without supplement. We couldn’t do this if we had heavier brood ewes (or without timely rains). If the goal is to raise a 140 lb wether, why is a 200 plus lb ewe necessary?
What person/people influenced or helped to shape your view on what the ideal sheep should possess?
My dad has had the most influence on me. My confidence in what I see, ability to break down livestock in multiple species and accurate description stems from his training. But there have been many smart people in the business I have picked up ideas from. I like to visit other show sheep producers operations – mostly to make observations and ask questions. Even though I have tremendous conviction in my beliefs, I always listen to other people open mindedly.
Where did you attend college and what awards did you achieve while judging in college?
I attended Casper College in Wyoming and Iowa State University (ISU). At Casper, we won five of seven national contests. I personally won countless contests including several national contests; if I didn’t win, I was right there in the hunt. My biggest honor at the JC level was winning Louisville by more than 25 points. At ISU, I picked up where I left off in JC by winning Denver, multiple mid-majors and the National Championship in Louisville by a good spread – 10 points. The Iowa State team earned Reserve National Championship honors.
What are your initial sorts when evaluating market lambs?
The top handful will be sorted when they enter the ring. To me, most livestock are flawed skeletally in at least one form or shape. This makes it simple to get the top end pulled. Once the top few have been pulled at the entry gate, I will run my hand down their top and maybe pull a few more. After that they are walked to the opposite side of the ring. Then I start pulling from the bottom up and generally pull lanky, stale, rung out sheep first or ones that appear to not fit in a show ring setting. From there, I usually walk them and peel off any that don’t walk right or they don’t balance or they are just plain. The final handful will likely be sorted on more subtle differences.
What would you consider an acceptable fat and weight range for a October show?
On fat thickness: .1 to .25. On weight, I don’t set parameters. If there is a standout 105-pounder I don’t mind using it or if there is a standout 150-pounder I don’t mind that, either.
What’s the best lamb you have ever seen? What is the best lamb you have ever judged?
There are three that come to mind. Bailey Wise had a very neat sheep that won the Colorado State Fair in 2005. Andrew Beam had a studly sheep that won the California Superbowl Jackpot I judged several years ago. Finally, I used a Stitzlein sheep at Oklahoma’s Southwest District show in 2009 that I felt won easily at a very tough show.
What do you think is the most important issue facing the sheep industry today?
Approximately 50 years of diminishing numbers and the corresponding lack of infrastructure.
You can go anywhere on a weeklong vacation, where would you go and who would you take with you?
I would take my wife and we would go abroad…Australia and / or New Zealand.
What’s your biggest pet peeve in the showring?
My biggest pet peeve is an exhibitor slapping their lamb. The public eye is on us.
Do you consider yourself more of a handle judge or a profile judge?
To me, skeletal build is of the upmost importance. This plays more into profile. One that is collected and still relaxed enough in their skeleton with the right joint angles from the ground up is usually good looking. If they don’t meet this criteria, then usually it doesn’t matter if they are extremely good handling. For me, one can be just close to right in their handle and still win if they are the best made.
Being in the field of teaching the next judges, what is one major factor you try to emphasize to a beginner show lamb judge?
I know this is not one factor, but I believe they tie together. Be honest, tactful and develop a strong conviction for “your kind.”
What is your all time favorite food?
Oatmeal Cream Pies are extremely good…and anything my wife cooks.
Thanks Kolby for your time!
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