Championdrive.com is pleased to present the first of our new series, "Secrets to Their Success", where we will feature a breeder on Championdrive.com to help our viewers become better acquainted with our clients. Our frist "Secrets to Their Success" features Donnie Begalka from Castlewood, South Dakota. We invite you to read our candid interview with Mr. Begalka below and be sure to check back soon for another "Secrets to Their Success".
Describe your family.
I have been married for 23 years to my lovely wife, Stacy. We have three children:
Kali - 20 - Sophomore at Oklahoma State Unviersity
Brooke - 17 - Junior in High School
Brinn - 9 - 4th Grade
How did you become involved in the club lamb industry? Did you show in 4-H or FFA?
When I was 8 years old I wanted to start raising and showing lambs. My father let me make my own decisions on what to purchase with my own money. From that point on, I have been raising lambs and have had a production sale since 1988. In the early years, Darrell Anderson and Dan Gee were the programs I looked up to for advice. On top of showing lambs, I also showed cattle and hogs in 4-H and FFA.
Did you attend college? If yes, were you on a judging team?
I attending South Dakota State University and majored in General Agriculture. I was on the 1986 Livestock Judging Team. I was high individual at Sioux Falls and Columbia, Missouri.
How many ewes do you currently run?
We currently run around 260 Hampshire/Suffolk Cross Ewes.
What genetics are you using or what is the backbone of your flock?
Our ewe base all go back to a buck called Black Rage. For two years, I bred him to all 320 of our ewes and got an outstanding and consistent set of keeper ewes. Since then, I have been using strictly Allred-Elliott genetics.
What is your favorite part of raising sheep?
My favorite part of raising sheep is the thrill of the mating decision and then waiting five months to see how it turned out.
What is the biggest challenge to raising show lambs?
The biggest challenge for me is getting the correct lamb to the correct feeder and then having that lamb be the correct style of sheep for the judge. It is very difficult to have all of these aspects going for you at the same time.
In your opinion, what is your biggest accomplishment (sheep-wise)?
I am very thankful for all the clients and winners I have dealt with over the years, but my biggest accomplishment is probably having the record selling ewe at Industry’s Elite.
If you could do one thing over again, what would it be (sheep-wise)?
I am the type of person who lives and is going to die with my decisions. I try to never second guess myself.
What do you feel are more important: Rams or Ewes? Why?
I feel having the correct style of ewe base is the most important. I think it is crucial to have a consistent set of ewes genotypically and phenotypically.
How do you go about purchasing a new ram? Does scrapie testing come into play?
I will use a ram that will move my program up to the next level and not worry about scrapie testing. Also, when I look at purchasing a ram I look at the ewe family first.
List the three most important priorities in selecting replacement females for your flock?
The three most important priorities in selecting replacement females are the ewe family, structural correctness, and balance.
Do you use ET/AI?
I have used artificial insemination for four years and embryo transfer for the last two years. I feel both of these are great tools when adapted and used properly in your program.
Describe your facilities.
If anyone has ever been to South Dakota or any northern state before, it is so important to have enclosed buildings during lambing season. We lamb out all our ewes from the January 1st – May 1st. During the cold winter, we lamb out in three enclosed buildings with exhaust fans and climate controlled heating. All of our ewes/lambs stay inside until the first of spring.
What’s your favorite lamb you’ve ever raised?
We have a ewe lamb that we showed this year called “10”. She was well known to everyone and I would love to raise a barn full just like her to make my life easy!
What do you feel is the most important issue facing the sheep industry?
I think the most important issue facing the sheep industry is people getting into the trend of raising sheep to have huge bone. I have raised cattle for many years and see the detrimental effects of having too big of bone in cattle when calving. I feel this is something that we do not want to deal with in the sheep industry.
Where do you see yourself/your flock in ten years?
I see myself doing the exact same thing – raising lambs and cattle! I love it, so why would I change now!
If you had one piece of advice to someone who is starting to raise sheep what would you tell them?
I would recommend for a person who I s starting to raise sheep to do whatever you can to do it right. Never settle for second best.
We asked Donnie some fun questions to get to know him a little more personally!
Outside of raising sheep, what do you do?
I raise 7 different breeds of show cattle through artificial insemination and embryo transplant.
What was the name of your first ram?
Sky Rocket
Who was the most influential person to your involvement in the sheep industry?
My dad always allowed me to make my own decisions. This really made me feel like it was all my flock.
I am most looking forward to….
Lambing Season
If you could talk to one person from the past who would it be?
I would talk to my dad. He loved livestock and had such a passion for good Hereford cattle.
Favorite place to travel/vacation?
We always have a trailer hooked onto our truck when we go on vacations!
Favorite meal?
McDonald’s hamburgers
Morning or Night person?
Everyone in our family are night people.
What are your pet peeves?
Dirty Water Pales. I tell my girls, if you don’t want to drink out of it, don’t expect the sheep to drink out of it either.
Tractor or skidsteer?
Skidsteer
If they made a movie about you, what actor/actress would you want to play you?
My kids are coming up with some that I would hate to repeat!
A special thank you to Donnie for your time and help! |
