Templeton 4-H Sheep Meeting

On Tuesday, June 8th we met at my sheep leaders home for a meeting. We weighed our lambs. George weighed 123 lbs that is a 20 lb gain since our last weigh-in. We also practiced showmanship. I realized that I put my hand on my lambs back a lot and it is a habit I need to break. I think that I should work on bracing my lamb more. It will show the judge his muscle development.

Transportation

Last year my mom and I made a transportation cage for my last lamb. It fit in the truck bed of my mom’s Ford F150 Super Crew Short bed. We made it out of galvanized threaded steel piping, and it is collapsible. We attached hog wire to the rectangular frame we built out of piping. The expense of the project was totaled about seventy dollars.

Sheep Meeting

Friday night was the first meeting where you are supposed to bring your lamb. When I showed up for the meeting most people were shocked at the size of my lamb and asked how old my lamb was. I told them that my lamb was born on January 28, 2010 which is approximately the same age as everyone else’s lamb. We then had to take our 60 day pictures which included photographs of our lambs front, side and rear view. These pictures are submitted along with our fair entries. We wormed our lambs, weighed them (George weighed 103 pounds), filled out paper for the fair, and got packets for our next fundraiser.

Training

Halter breaking your lamb is one of the first things you do after you bring it home. A halter broke lamb is eaisier to lead and can be tied for cleaning, examinations, and exercising.

Emergency Sheep Meeting

Last night we had an emergency sheep meeting to sign everyone up for Field Day in June. Field Day is a mock competition where we practice showing our lambs just like we would at the fair. Real competition judges are there and judge and place everyone's lambs. I'll keep you updated.

Lamb Exercise

I try to walk George once a day. Walking builds muscle, relieves stress and boredom, and allows us to bond. Working with George on a daily basis is calming for him and prepares him for showmanship.

Lamb Feed

Based on the breeders recommendation, I supplement the alfalfa I give George with Showtime Lamb Feed. It is a complete coarse textured feed that contains 17% protein and ammonium chloride for prevention of urinary ualculi. Not only is it good for him but George loves it. Showtime Lamb Feed is available locally at Santa Margarita Feed & Farm Supply.

Introduction

My name is William Lorz and this is my fourth year in the Templeton 4-H Group. I spent two years showing chickens as a primary member and this will be my second year showing lambs. My lamb that I purchased on April 1st is named George. He is a male Hampshire/Suffolk cross breed. He was born January 28, 2010 on the Casey Sheep Ranch. The day I purchased him he weighed 70 lbs. His ear tag number is 1004. I was attracted to him because he was long loined, tall, and muscular. I paid more for him than my lamb last year, but I think he will weigh more and impress the judge as long as I put the work into him. I can't wait to see how well George does at the fair. I have a lot of work to do.

George Comes Home

On April Fool's Day, Mom, my brother Walter, and I went out to the Casey's farm to pick out a lamb. I chose George because he showed exceptional qualities, even though he cost a little more than I had expected.