[Jacob-list] Showing Jacobs

[Gary Anderson]

As a novice showman, I had the same questions about showing Jacobs at this
year's JSBA Annual General Meeting (AGM).  Under different circumstances, I
would have asked Robin Lynde for advice; her sheep place well in shows in
her area.  Robin was one of the AGM sheep show judges, though, and I thought
it was not an appropriate time to ask her advice.  I knew from other
conversations that typically little fitting is done to Jacobs. I contacted a
former colleague whose children showed wool breeds (not Jacobs) in 4-H
shows.  She advised that we gently wash the sheep with warm water, no
shampoo, several days before the show.  'Gentle' meant taking care not to
felt the fleece.  She further advised to slather the wet fleece with cheap
hair conditioner. (I bought two jugs at the Dollar Store and used only one
for seven sheep.)  After a few minutes, gently rinse the conditioner from
the fleece and let the sheep air dry.  We also took the opportunity to clean
the ears, horns, and hooves, as one would do with any show animal.

Some of my observations (again as a novice) were as follows:  Remarkable
amounts of dirt and debris were removed from the fleeces by the gentle
washing.  Washing (without shampoo) did not markedly affect feel of the
fleeces by show time but made them look somewhat brighter.  The only
trimming we did was to a yearling ram that near his horns had a few tuffs of
wool missed by the shearer several months earlier.  Fitting of our Jacobs
was truly 'minimal' compared with what I had seen people do with market
lambs.  Our sheep got quite dirty during transport to the AGM, and we had to
clean surface dirt and manure from the sheep, as well as pick off bedding
that adhered, prior to walking into the show ring. I do not know how the
fitting we did compared with that done by other Jacob breeders.  I am
comfortable we did nothing ghastly that affected their presentation in the
ring.  Our sheep placed first in several classes.  I think it might have
been the Dollar Store conditioner.

Gary Anderson
Hillside Jacobs
Sparta, MI

 


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Today's Topics:

   1. We're staying the same (Shannon Phifer)
   2. Showing Jacobs (Laura C Frazier)
   3. Great Pyrenees (Linda)


----------------------------------------------------------------------

Message: 1
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 2009 10:07:02 -0700 (PDT)
From: Shannon Phifer <kenleighacres at yahoo.com>
Subject: [Jacob-list] We're staying the same
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Message-ID: <848552.7824.qm at web51006.mail.re2.yahoo.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1

I meant to respond to Linda's question earlier, but I?wasn't sure where we
stood!? This year has been crazy with late additions?and late lambs - we
lambed in January, February, March, May, and July!? I wouldn't recommend
this.? I just counted up how many ewes ended up lambing and it is the same
we are breeding this?year - 31.? All of the ewes are staying?with the rams
for 2 cycles and then we are?pulling?rams and no more ewes are going to be
added :)? I want to go back to our normal lambing schedule!??I also learned
that I like lambing in January/February.? Our weather is mild and the grass
is lush and green when the lambs are ready to start eating.? The later lambs
didn't grow as well as our earlier lambs.? We put?our breeding groups
together on Friday and already have a few bred (we use?marking paint).? We
are using 5 rams this year (which is an increase) and I am really excited
about the lambs.? The rams are - Magic Moon Junior,
 Kenleigh's?Wrangler, Patchwork Abraham, Green Water Julian, and Kenleigh's
Reno.? You can see pictures of?all of them on our blog -
www.kenleighacres.wordpress.com 

I have enjoyed reading about what others are doing and I am very happy to
see that others are staying the same or increasing.? ??
?
Shannon Phifer
Kenleigh Acres Farm
www.kenleigh-acres.com
That'll Do Photography
www.thatlldo.photoreflect.com


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Message: 2
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 2009 13:03:32 -0400
From: Laura C Frazier <farmgirlarts at triad.rr.com>
Subject: [Jacob-list] Showing Jacobs
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Message-ID: <7AF77489-5969-4E40-BFCF-8738FE4E1A51 at triad.rr.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii"; Format="flowed";
	DelSp="yes"

To those of you who show or have shown Jacobs:
I would love to read any hints or experiences you may have about  
preparing for and showing Jacobs. I've had 7 years of experience with  
showing commercial/market lambs and sheep, but I've only been to one  
show that had fiber sheep including classes for Jacobs. I'm wondering  
about setting them up in the arena, "grooming", etc. I've seen  
pictures where the sheep were trimmed around the bottom of their  
fleece and seen them with absolutely no grooming.

Thanks for your help!!!
Laura

Laura C Frazier
FarmGirl Arts
(336) 971-3834
Kernersville, NC
http://home.rr.com/farmgirlarts

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Message: 3
Date: Sun, 30 Aug 2009 18:41:47 -0400
From: Linda <patchworkfibers at windstream.net>
Subject: [Jacob-list] Great Pyrenees
To: jacob-list at jacobsheep.com
Message-ID: <4A9B002B.1020508 at windstream.net>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed

I received an email from woman in the Atlanta, GA area that is trying to 
place a neutered Pyr. As far as I know, he has not been exposed to 
livestock. Her family loves this dog, but he needs more room than they 
have. She states: "We would love to find someone who has room --- both 
in terms of land and hearts --- for a great dog."

If you are this area and are interested, please email for contact 
information.

Linda
-- 
Patchwork Farm Jacob Sheep <http://www.patchworkfibers.com>


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End of Jacob-list Digest, Vol 61, Issue 21
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