Championdrive.com is pleased to present the second of our new series, "Secrets to Their Success", featuring Brad Anderson of Clair Club Lambs from Hawarden, Iowa. We invite you to read our candid interview with Mr. Anderson below and be sure to check back soon for another "Secrets to Their Success".
Describe you family!
I am married to the beautiful Lori Anderson. She has stuck around since high school.
We have three kids: Caitlyn, Garrett, & Rylee
How did you get involved in the club lamb industry? Did you show?
My Grandparents raised Hampshire club lambs since before I was born therefore, I had a passion for it since I was little. I did have the opportunity and privilege to show in 4-H and FFA.
Did you attend college? If yes, were you on a judging team?
I was a member of the livestock judging team at both Hutchinson Community and Oklahoma Panhandle University. I also received my Master’s Degree in Meat Science from Oklahoma State University.
How many ewes do you run?
We have approximately 200 ewes total with 35 head being Dorsets.
What genetics are you using or what is the backbone of your flock?
My grandpa purchased our first set of 25 ewes and 1 in 1965 from Leroy McGosh in Kansas. They were straight Hogg-Hubbard genetics. Currently, I am utilizing a combination of genetics from Johnson Club Lambs in Ok, Hindman Club Lambs, and Rule Sheep. I am on the path to consolidate my genetics to allow more predictability.
My Dorset flock was stemmed from Brett Cooper’s flock in Oklahoma. They are a combination of Obsession, Taboo, and Hip. I am currently using Casino as my main stud ram for this flock of muscular well balanced Dorsets.
What is your favorite part of raising sheep?
Lambing time is the segment of raising sheep that I look forward the most too. Mainly because it’s the start of a life cycle and I can start to see the result of a year and life time of hard work and proper management.
What is the biggest challenge to raising show lambs?
Personally, my biggest challenge is making my flock better and nationally competitive at an economically feasible rate. I have to search and rely on good friends to find a buck that can improve my flock in the areas that I need him to without mortgaging the farm to do so.
In your opinion, what is your biggest accomplishment (sheep-wise)?
I would have to say it has to be our Dorset flock. We have only been raising them a short time but we have been able to make some unique sheep with some genetic predictability with them. I have been extremely proud of the fact that other breeders have thought enough of our stock that we have had the high selling Dorset wether sire at Sedalia in 2009 and 2010.
If you could do one thing over again, what would it be (sheep-wise)?
Our family would have refrained from chasing some trends over the years and just raised the kind of sheep that we like. Mainly keeping the functional, muscular, and Hampshire in nature.
What do you feel are more important: Rams or Ewes? Why?
I think females are the most integral part of a flock. The reason being is that they make up the genetic history and predictability in my flock. I can trace most of my better females and males to the same genetic lines within the flock. If your female base is consistent then you should be able to choose a ram that can enhance a certain phenotypic trait across the flock. On the other hand we still have to procure rams of quality because I have seen firsthand what a bad ram purchase can do.
How do you go about purchasing a new ram? Does scrapie testing come into play?
I generally like go to narrow my search down to a handful of prospective breeders that I would possibly like to buy a ram from. At that point I prefer to visit each breeder to see if there is a prospective buck lamb that catches my eye. A ram being RRNN is not my first priority when selecting. I would rather concentrate on the phenotypical and genetic package that will improve my flock.
List the three most important priorities in selecting replacement females for your flock?
1.
She must be a twin
2.
Balance ( I feel that structural correctness is a part of a balanced sheep)
3.
MUSCLE
Do you use ET/AI? How do you see biotechnology fitting into your operation in the next 10 years?
We are currently utilizing ET. We see this to be a fundamental way to propagate the best genetics in our flock.
Describe your facilities or describe what you think are the ideal facilities.
I have a home place where I lamb the ewes out and that barn is 30 x 48. I can fit up to 65 bred females in this barn. I also have separate barn that I have renovated to be a jug pen room. I can fit up to 24 pairs in pens in this barn. I then rent barns on other sites and this is where I store our pairs until weaning. Ideally I would like to have all the sheep at one place but that will have to wait until a later date.
What’s your favorite lamb you’ve ever raised?
That would be “312” she is an Oreo ewe out of a 31 x 411 from Mike Hancock. I probably have over 20 females in my flock that trace back to this ewe. We flushed her this year to try and multiply her genetic potential.
What do you feel is the most important issue facing the sheep industry?
NUMBERS! The US flock numbers have to increase for the sheep industry to survive. We decrease about 4% in total population numbers every year. If we don’t start to see more ewe lamb retention than this industry that we love may not survive more than being a hobby farm, niche market.
Where do you see yourself/your flock in ten years?
I hope to have around 150 head flock that is well balanced, heavy muscled, structurally sound and rich in genetic predictability and is one of the best show lamb producing flocks in the nation. I would also like to have a flock that is also very production oriented in terms of lambing percentage, mothering ability, and fertility. This is one of the things that I feel gets overlooked in general in the club lamb industry.
If you had one piece of advice to someone who is starting to raise sheep what would you tell them?
Buy a set of ewes that are very similar in genetics. The lambs are a lot more consistent and it will save you many miles trying to find a ram that can improve the flock and that works on those ewes.
Outside of raising sheep, what do you do?
I work at Iowa Lamb where I involved in boxed lamb sales and carcass cut out.
Who was the most influential person to your involvement in the sheep industry?
My grandpa. He is the person that I got my love of livestock from and he taught me most of my basic evaluation skills of sheep. Without him I probably wouldn’t be in this industry at all.
The best sheep you ever saw was….. I would have to say it is “Mile High” he was a Johnson sheep that Kashen Urban won Denver with in 1999.
If you could talk to one person from the past who would it be?
I would have another day to have a sheep conversation with Bradley Johnson. Anyone that ever had one of those will know what I’m talking about!
Favorite sports team? Oklahoma State Cowboys. Go Pokes!
Morning or Night person? I am definitely a morning person
If they made a movie about you, what actor/actress would you want to play you?
Kenny Powers!
A special thank you to Brad for your time and help! |
