- Our mission is to provide a moderately framed, easy fleshing, and fast growing Polypay sheep that will excel in the lambing pen and in a range environment.
- Our ewes and rams are all DNA tested and are expected to raise their lambs without assistance and to pass on prolificacy to their offspring.
- Our flock is enrolled in NSIP, and we use this data combined with structure to make our flock selections. Maternal traits are our primary selection criteria.
- We only sell RR sheep that we think will work in our flock, as well as yours.
ABOUT OUR FLOCK
Our foundation ewes were purchased from Page Polypays near Reeder, ND. These ewes, while registered, are of hardy stock that are required to survive on native range in the harsh conditions of Southwest North Dakota. The majority of their sire side genetics came from the US Sheep Experiment Station in Dubois, ID. Our foundation rams were purchased from Vic Van Well, a mainstay in the Polypay industry. This threeway cross, betwen two lines of Van Well rams and the Page ewes have resulted in a moderately framed, easy fleshing ewe that requires little extra care to thrive in SW ND. Since then, our stud ram that we use on these 3 way cross ewes is the 2010 National Polypay Show NSIP Champion Ram from Hidden Valley. Our current selection pressure on maternal traits includes lambing percentage and the ability to raise those lambs, all while being structurally sound. On the paternal side, we select for fast growing, structurally correct rams that will pass on these traits to their offspring. In the feed conditions of southwest ND we will always produce a moderately framed Polypay sheep that honors the breeds origins. Our sheep lamb in May and are raised on native and improved pastures. The lambs are weaned at approximately 75 d of age. The ewe lambs are developed to lamb at one year of age. The ram lambs are developed to be marketed as yearlings off the farm, at the Hettinger Ram Sale, and at the National Polypay Show and Sale. For more information on the origins of the Polypay breed, visit the American Polypay Sheep Association website at http://www.countrylovin.com/polypay/index.html.
ABOUT OUR FAMILY
Both Ronda and Christopher come from an agricultural background. Ronda grew up on a diversified dairy and beef operation near Center, ND. Christopher grew up in Hettinger, ND working on various cattle and sheep operations. Ronda completed a B.S. in Vocational Education from North Dakota State University and Christopher completed a B.S. and M.S. in Animal Science at NDSU and a PhD in livestock nutrition from Oregon State University. Christopher is the director and livestock scientist at the NDSU Hettinger Research Extension Center. Ronda currently is a substitute teacher and stay-at-home mother to their five children: Kaden, Katy, Kelly, Kayla (Flower), and Kortney.
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