[Jacob-list] two horned sheep

[Mark Essen]

On 9/7/2011 10:03 AM, Carl Fosbrink wrote:

> *Mark,*

> *    Thank you for enlightening us as to why most people don't 

> register in Missouri. It is pretty much what I thought.*

No problem, my thoughts are given out for free.  I just hope you get 
your money's worth.

> *  ....... snip*



> *    When buying unregistered stock a person would have to see the 

> seller's flock to know if what they are buying was out of good lines 

> or not I would think.*

> *    Even when buying registered stock this is a good idea because the 

> standard is so wide open that flocks can vary greatly from one flock 

> to another.*

You also have to be willing to cull heavily, even one or two generations 
down the line.

> *    I understand the problem with the shooter market paying more for 

> the adult rams. I find it a shame that I am offered much more by 

> shooters for a ram than I can get for it as a registered breeder.*

> *     I also find that other breeds of sheep bring a much higher price 

> for breeders than Jacobs do. I keep them because I love the breed and 

> want to preserve the American Jacob's great qualities and I hope for a 

> bright future for the breed.*

I have often had people ask me how to make money with a farm.  I tell 
them to sell the farm and invest in something else.   It is fun to watch 
the eyes and face of a visiter seeing a Jacobs for the first time.  It 
is extremely rewarding to see a seasoned breeder's jaw drop when they 
see my sheep.  But, being able to go out in the pasture and see the 
flock is reward enough for me.

> *     I think the JSBA, although it has it's share of problems, has 

> been the most stable and productive of the registries and most of the 

> other registries have faded away.*

I think people figure out fairly quickly which registries are just 
collecting money and which are actively working for the breed.  I agree 
with you that JSBA is stable and productive, and I might add, works for 
the breed and breeders.

> *     How would I know about all those great Jacobs in Missouri if I 

> wanted to buy some. Would I have to attend all the exotic auctions and 

> sales?*

Grow old raising Jacobs in Missouri.  I am in my mid fifties and have 
been with Jacobs for over twenty years.  I used to go to all of the 
sales, swaps, meetings, etc.  I do not go to many events any more, but 
that is how I met most of the breeders that I know.
Mark

> **

> *Carl*

>

>     ----- Original Message -----

>     *From:* Mark Essen <mailto:messen at socket.net>

>     *To:* jacob-list at jacobsheep.com <mailto:jacob-list at jacobsheep.com>

>     *Sent:* Tuesday, September 06, 2011 8:21 PM

>     *Subject:* Re: [Jacob-list] two horned sheep

>

>     A big Thank you goes out to Robin for her report of the stats.  I

>     would never have dreamed that two horned Jacobs were so plentiful.

>     As many of you know, I have been raising Jacobs for more years

>     than most and was a proud member of JSBA for all of my early years.

>     In Missouri there are Jacobs flocks all over the place.  I do not

>     know very many that are registered.  But, many of these flocks are

>     of excellent quality.  The problem is finding all of these small

>     flocks.  It is not uncommon for me to run into somebody that sees

>     me wearing a JSBA t-shirt and comes up and talks about their own

>     small flock.  As it turns out, the easiest way to find a Jacobs

>     breeder is go to an exotic sale.  There are at least two in

>     Missouri that happen six times annually that have great Jacobs. 

>     There are at least five other sales or swaps that have Jacobs

>     routinely, although the quality should be questioned.  Then there

>     is the Small Farm Show that has two JSBA members exhibiting every

>     year.  At the sales and swaps, you may or may not get papers, but

>     never pay a premium for registration.  People just do not care.  I

>     have bought some good quality ewes that continually produce good

>     quality lambs that have been registered in a variety of small

>     registries. I think the availability of good quality unregistered

>     stock is one reason that Missourians are not quick to join an

>     association.  I think another reason is that there are a variety

>     of registries that accept Jacobs.  Five years ago I think I

>     counted six different registries that would take my money for a

>     certificate.  My background is JSBA so that is the one that I

>     prefer, but new people have no clue so just do not bother.

>     At least, that is my thoughts.

>     As a side thought, breeders in Missouri cannot afford a mature

>     four horn quality ram at auction.  The shooting ranches always

>     have more money.  Breeders buy younger stock and hope they turn

>     out well.

>

>     On 9/6/2011 1:27 AM, Carl Fosbrink wrote:

>     ..........snip

>>     *    Missouri is one state where few people raise registered

>>     Jacobs. Mark can probably enlighten us on why this is. I always

>>     suspected it was because they have the exotic sales there that

>>     other states do not have and this gave them a market that most

>>     other states do not have.*

>

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