This issue of "Secrets To Their Success" features Kyle & Jill Schmillen of Marcus, Iowa. They have a son, Samuel, who is 5 years old and they are expecting a daughter Mid-April. They currently run a flock of 140 Suffolk-Hampshire Cross ewes. Enjoy reading our candid interview with Kyle & Jill and check back soon for our next "Secrets To Their Success"!
How did you get involved in the club lamb industry? Did you show?
My Dad raised Purebred Suffolks long before I was in the picture. As I grew up with them you could see the industry trend leading more towards the Club Lamb type sheep, so when I was a senior in high school I decided to go in a different direction and started my own wether flock. I did show growing up, both frame sheep and wethers. I always enjoyed the simplicity of getting the wethers ready compared to blocking out the breeding sheep.
Jill showed AQHA western pleasure and halter horses growing up. She had a vast knowledge of showing livestock so it was an easy transition for her entering the club lamb arena.
Did you attend college?
I graduated from Iowa Lakes with an Ag-Business degree and Jill graduated from Bellevue University with a Marketing and Finance degree.
How many ewes do you run?
Our flock is Suffolk and Hampshire based with about 100 head of aged ewes and 40 ewe lambs.
What genetics are you using or what is the backbone of your flock?
We currently are using bucks that go back to Miller and Elliott genetics. Our ewe base is made up of Winfrey, Elliott, Cabaniss, and Impact based ewes.
What is your favorite part of raising sheep?
Lambing time-you have a years worth of hard work and decision making come to fruition and you get the opportunity to see the final outcome. Also the comradery and friendships made with people from all over the nation, some you only see a couple of times a year but consider them close friends.
What is the biggest challenge to raising show lambs?
I think that the biggest challenge to raising show lambs is taking everything in stride. We all know as breeders that we have good and bad days in the lambing barn, on the sale block and in the show ring. Raising show lambs gets harder and harder every year with the economy, high feed costs and high costs of breeding stock. Both Jill and I try to make the best of every situation….even when we are about ready to pull our hair out!!
In your opinion, what is your biggest accomplishment (sheep-wise)?
I would have to say our biggest accomplishment was when we bred both the 4-H and FFA Champions at the Iowa State Fair in 2007. It was a very surreal and humbling experience.
If you could do one thing over again, what would it be (sheep-wise)?
I don’t know if I would do anything different. Raising club lambs is no different than life…you win some and you lose some.
What do you feel are more important: Rams or Ewes? Why?
Ewes!! I firmly believe that the females in a breeders flock are the backbone of the whole breeding operation. A strong, consistent, and predictable ewe flock can not only take a breeder to that next level but it will also help keep the quality in the lambs if a new ram doesn’t quite breed the way you expected him to.
How do you go about purchasing a new ram? Does scrapie testing come into play?
This might be one of the most fun parts of the business for me. I always look at it like playing chess, you sometimes have to think two or three moves ahead of time to get where you want to be. I’m not too worried about the Q’s and the R’s.
List the three most important priorities in selecting replacement females for your flock?
Phenotype, Genotype, and mothering ability
Do you use ET/AI? How do you see biotechnology fitting into your operation in the next 10 years?
We currently do not use it, but we may potentially in the future.
Describe your facilities or describe what you think are the ideal facilities.
Our winters can be pretty brutal in NW Iowa so we house our ewes in an updated lambing barn. After the lambs are a few weeks of age we move them into our Hoop Barns. One is 40 x 100 and the other is 30 x 80. The ewes and lambs never step a foot outside in the cold months. They are always in a warm, dry, and well ventilated building.
 What’s your favorite lamb you’ve ever raised?
Schmillen #39 aka “Greasy Bear”-2007 Grand Champion Iowa State Fair FFA Show
What do you feel is the most important issue facing the sheep industry?
I feel that the most important issue facing the club lamb aspect of the sheep industry is the declining involvement of people wanting to show and raise livestock. With the declining number of junior members exhibiting throughout the industry, it greatly affects the breeders and has an impact on the whole process from lambing to showing to the packing plant. A close second would be how the general public perceives the show lamb industry; I feel that we have to be extremely cautious on how we handle not just our livestock but ourselves as well.
Where do you see yourself/your flock in ten years?
I think our flock has evolved tremendously in the last ten years. I would like to see this same type of pattern continue on through the next ten years.
If you had one piece of advice to someone who is starting to raise sheep what would you tell them?
Start with a genetically consistent line of ewes, it’s easier to find one buck to match your ewes than having to buy multiple bucks for your 3-4 different ewe lines. Also do business with reputable breeders who will take the time to help someone new to the industry—if you can surround yourself with good people than good things tend to happen.
Outside of raising sheep, what do you do?
I work for Central Insurance at Central Bank in Cherokee, Iowa. I sell all types of insurance-personal, commercial, crop, livestock.
Jill stays home and runs the day-to-day operations on the farm.
What was the most influential ram in your flock?
Rising Star-This ram pretty much put us on the map. He sired over 12 state fair champions in the 3 lambing seasons we used him.
Who was the most influential person to your involvement in the sheep industry?
I would have to say there are a number of people who were influential in us being involved in the club lamb business. First off it would be my Dad…if he hadn’t gotten me involved in showing livestock at all levels as a kid I wouldn’t have that experience and drive that it takes to stay in this business for the long haul. Others who influenced me along the way would be Al Drefke & Bill Mein. I was very fortunate to have met some very honest and reputable people in this business throughout the years and that has been a key thing we strive to do with our own business.
If I weren’t raising sheep I would be….
Jill say’s we would be living by a lake somewhere…I just tell her she would be bored in a few days and miss the all night-ers and negative degree temps!
I am most looking forward to….
Our daughter being born in April!!
If you could talk to one person from the past who would it be?
Both of our Grandpa’s
If you could trade places with anybody for one day, who would it be?
Kyle-Brad Pitt……..Jill-Angelina Jolie
Favorite place to travel/vacation?
Caribbean
Favorite sports team?
North Carolina Tarheels
If they made a movie about you, what actor/actress would you want to play you?
Kyle----Will Ferrell Jill—Demi Moore
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