ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE
SUMMER 2010
PAID
7811 Consolidated School Rd., Edgerton, WI 53534 • www.wisbc.com
PERMIT NO. 203 EAU CLAIRE, WI
A PUBLICATION OF THE WISCONSIN SHEEP BREEDERS COOPERATIVE
VOLUME 22, NUMBER 3
INSIDE—WISCONSIN SHEEP & WOOL FESTIVAL INFORMATION
Dr. A.L. Pope 1921–2010 Professor Arthur L. “Art” Pope died peacefully at home on Monday, July 5, 2010. Art was born in Caldwell, Idaho to Stella Spalding and Leon T. Pope on January 28, 1921. Raised on a farm near Hillsdale, Michigan, he and his brother Bill shared fond memories of rural life despite growing up during the Depression. After receiving his B.S. degree in Animal Husbandry at Michigan State University, he attended the University of Wisconsin-Madison, which awarded him the M.S. degree in Animal Nutrition in 1943 and the Ph.D. degree in Animal NutritionBiochemistry in 1946. Art was a faculty member of the Department of Meat and Animal Science for 43 years, from 1946 until his retirement in 1989, serving as Chairman of the department for twelve years. Art married Vivian Tretsven in 1944 and they raised four children prior to her death in 1973. Art
then married Elizabeth Nord Zoerb, who shared his life for 37 year until his death. Together they were loving grandparents to eight grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Art Pope was a world leader in research on trace mineral requirements for sheep and an internationally known expert in sheep production and progressive husbandry practices. His early work with cobalt deficiency in sheep in the late 1940’s was the stimulus for the U.S. feed industry to manufacture and distribute trace mineralized salt for all farm animals. He subsequently conducted pioneering work in the calcium, phosphorus, copper, molybdenum, and selenium
requirements of sheep. For his research accomplishments, he received many national awards and recognitions, including the Morrison Award, the highest award presented by the American Society of Animal Science, and the Silver Ram Award See Pope on Page 2
Taylor Looks to Festival’s Future It’s the sheep industry’s main event in the Badger State and it has become the destination for thousands of sheep producers, exhibitors, knitters, fashion designers, small businesses and the simply curious. It is the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival and organizers expect over seven thousand people will pass through the gates of Jefferson Fair Park in early September. At nine years and counting, the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Cooperative’s cautious experiment that began in 2002 is now well past survival mode and building for the future. Todd Taylor, the co-op’s president and Shepherd at the University of Wisconsin’s Arlington Sheep Unit, recently reflected on the history of the festival, its impact on the industry and where it might be heading. “It was pretty much uncharted territory for the (Wisconsin) Sheep Breeders. The members were used to an annual industry conference and opening the doors
Todd Taylor, President of the Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op and Shepherd at the UW-Madison Arlington Sheep Unit, is optimistic about the future of the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival as it enters its ninth year and looking for record attendance when the event opens September 10 in Jefferson.
to the general public was a big change that took some getting used to.” Taylor admits that the biggest change for many sheep producers was the realization that the fiber side of the industry would quickly become a major partner in the future of the event. “It’s what has really built attendance, but even more important, people coming to Jefferson now see a cross-section of the industry. I think that’s key to the future of the festival.” Even more critical in Taylor’s eyes is building industry leadership for the long haul. “We have to keep the door open for the next generation,” he maintains, and points to the second year of grant funding from Wisconsin Farm Services Agency as instrumental in growing the Youth Sweepstakes as part of the festival and underwriting premiums for the program. “That generous support has been critical,” Taylor admits, noting See Taylor on Page 3
All roads lead to Jefferson. Photo by Don Hessler
Youth Programming Gets Support from FSA Wisconsin Farm Service Agency has again pledged its support for youth programs at the Wisconsin Sheep & Wool Festival. For the second year, a major grant from FSA will underwrite the Youth Sweepstakes, an awards program based on eight separate competitions and activities. Todd Taylor, Wisconsin Sheep Breeders Co-op President and a strong backer of youth activities at Jefferson, says the support is crucial to building a future for the Festival through its young exhibitors. “The FSA grant allows us to continue to build the Youth Sweepstakes effort and provide the kind of leadership and education that helps assure that these kids will someday be part of Wisconsin’s livestock industry.” The Youth Sweepstakes is designed to encourage young
people attending the Festival to take part in educational and exhibition events to broaden their knowledge of sheep production beyond the show ring. Members of 4-H, FFA and other youth groups are encouraged to take part. No pre-registration is required and points are awarded based on participation and placing within each of the following activities: Skillathon, Junior Showmanship, Judging Contest, Poster Contest, Lead Class competition, Junior Breeding and Market Lamb shows. Youth entering any of the listed events are automatically entered in the Sweepstakes and eligible for awards based on four age divisions – Beginners 8-10; Junior 11-13; Intermediate 14-16; and senior 17-19. Age is See FSA on Page 6