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Serving rural Benton County, Morrison, Mille Lacs & Kanabec Counties.
BENTON AG Plus
Sauk Rapids Herald
SATURDAY, APRIL 7, 2018
Babydolls in the showring Goulets specialize in niche sheep industry BY JENNIFER COYNE STAFF WRITER
FOLEY — The Goulet family can best be described as passionate, driven and curious individuals. So, it comes as no surprise when the youngest son, Michael, found an interest in raising and showing Babydoll Southdown sheep at local and state livestock competitions. With two years under their belt, the Goulets – Raymond and Connie and their children, Aaron, Samantha, Nathan and Michael – are raising a small Áock of Babydoll sheep on their diversiÀed farm, CR Farm, near Foley. The Áock consists of one mature ram, nine ewes and several young lambs. The project Àrst began in 2015, after Michael noticed the pint-sized animals at the Minnesota State Fair. “We used to show market lambs, but it had been a while,” said Michael, 17. “The sheep project is a lot less stressful than others, so when I saw the Babydolls, I knew I wanted to
PHOTO BY JENNIFER COYNE
The Goulets – (from left) Aaron, Raymond and Michael – raise Babydoll sheep on their farm near Foley. The family got into the Babydoll breed two years ago, when Michael noticed the animals at the Minnesota State Fair.
get back into the business.” This particular breed is universally known for their small stature. To be considered a purebred Babydoll, mature animals must measure between
22 and 24 inches in height from the front leg to the top of the shoulder; and weigh no more than 80 pounds. Babydolls are also easily recognized by their Àne wool
and smile-like shape of their mouth. “They’re primarily a wool breed with Àner wool than the [commercial] Southdowns,” Michael said. “For us, we’re
raising them to show at the county and state fairs. Babydolls are a good small, hobby animal.” Michael has participated in livestock shows since he was
old enough to safely handle an animal. Last year, he received second place for his Babydoll yearling ram at the Minnesota State Fair FFA show. “We’re a competitive family and enjoy that part of showing,” Raymond said. “It’s also fun to meet people with the same interests as you.” Raymond grew up in the local 4-H and FFA organizations and encouraged his children to explore the same opportunities. For the past 25 years, Raymond’s children have participated in the youth organizations, showing an array of animals – from chickens to hogs and cattle, and now Babydoll sheep. Not only has this time allowed for the family to reap the beneÀts of hard work, yet humbly cope with a loss in the competition, showing animals has given the Goulet children life-long skills. “Because of FFA, young people get to experience what it takes to raise and care for an animal. It teaches them responsibility,” Raymond said. “They also learn about parliamentary procedure and how the government works.” Aaron agreed. “We’ve also gained lifelong friendships because of it,” he said. Those friendships helped Michael become established in
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Exotic sale gathers unique animals from across region
Rubes Sponsored by Fluegge’s Ag
PIERZ — It was standing room only at the Rich Livestock Sales Barn March 23 in Pierz, and on the auction block was any animal or bird out of the ordinary. The semi-annual Exotic Animal Sale drew hundreds of people from across the region to consign or buy animals. The two-day sale included hoofed animals on Friday and birds, waterfowl and rabbits on Saturday. “We had animals from the Àve-state area,” said sales manager Vern Pautsch. “We even had people come down from Canada.” Pautsch has been managing the sale since 1992. He holds two auctions a year, one in March and the second in October. “The prices at the fall sale aren’t as good as the spring sale since a lot of people don’t want to overwinter their animals,”
Pautsch said. This year’s spring sale had about 100 head of cattle consigned including Brahmas, Texas Longhorns, Scottish Highlands, Dutchbelted, British Whites, Herefords and lowline Angus. About 400 sheep and goats went through the auction ring along with 300-400 rabbits. And about 1,000 chickens, pheasants, ducks and other birds and waterfowl were sold. “In past years, I’ve had buffalo, kangaroos, zebras and camels on auction,” Pautsch said. This year, Pautsch said he had alligators and tortoises to sell. The alligators went for $100-200 depending on the size. The smaller tortoises brought more money of up to $900. “Some people come to the sale and say, ‘Hey, we don’t have one of those PHOTO BY ANDREA BORGERDING yet,’” Pautsch said. A bred Texas Longhorn cow enters the auction ring March 23 at Rich Livestock Sales Barn in Pierz. Sales manager Vern Pautsch Pautsch said managing (right) stands ready to guide the cow out of the auction ring. About 100 head of cattle were consigned for the semi-annual sale.
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