[Jacob-list] Who and Where are the Show Flocks???????

[Marguerite Van Beek]

I think we addressed this sometime ago when I first started to show Jacob's.  it can and always be a heated discussion between the Jacob breeders.  I try to stay away from this but all honestly it is not right not to give an opinion when one is asked.  I have my production ewes that I hold strong because of their lineage and I have my show stock that I take to shows.  I find they are the best ambassadors for this breed.  Regardless of the pros and cons.  And I truly believe it benefits us all.  When I submit a ram for registration it is almost like showing, is it not???  The ewes are not criticized as much but there are still limits to what is acceptable vs not acceptable traits.  the comment that this breed would not survive if we continue to want show stock and I strongly disagree.  I would rather have a flock that meet or exceeds the qualification of a Jacob than to have a flock that has no color, kemp fleece, horns forward/fused etc.  I have found out that after having every imaginable lineage from the west to the east coast in my flock I have at the present time a flock that I am extremely proud of.  Not all of them are "show winners" but to my family they all are.

And I might add one more thing when we go to shows we are extremely popular not so much with selling but promoting the breed because they are individuals and unique.

Peggy 
Ridgecroft Farm


  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: snielsen at orednet.org<mailto:snielsen at orednet.org> 
  To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com<mailto:jacob-list at jacobsheep.com> 
  Sent: Monday, March 10, 2008 1:31 PM
  Subject: Re: [Jacob-list] Who and Where are the Show Flocks???????


  On Sun, March 9, 2008 1:50 pm, R. Unzicker said:
  > I think showing Jacobs (and other
  > rare breeds) is quite different from showing commercial breeds.   There
  > are a good number of Jacob breeders who are not in favor of showing Jacobs
  > for fear it will change the breed.  And with good reason, considering what
  > has happened to some of the other breeds.

  This conversation is heading back toward the recent discussion about
  heritage breeds of poultry, which wrapped up with a comment about the
  difference between production birds and show birds. It seems to me
  "production flocks" are the backbone of a breed, whether they are sheep or
  chickens. Those are the flocks where the genetic potential of the breed
  shows up and is distributed in individuals. True, you want to keep your
  flock within the standard for sound, representative individuals, but you
  do not want to create a flock of stunning individuals that are _not_
  representative of the run of the breed. It's a fine line between
  consideration of the individual and care of the breed.

  Susan

  -- 
  See our farm blog at http://skepweaver.wordpress.com/<http://skepweaver.wordpress.com/>
  --
  Peace also takes courage.


  _______________________________________________
  Jacob-list mailing list, sponsored by Swallow Lane Farm & Fiberworks
  Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com<mailto:Jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>
  http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list<http://www.pairlist.net/mailman/listinfo/jacob-list>
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://www.pairlist.net/pipermail/jacob-list/attachments/20080310/782667f6/attachment.htm>