R J R Hampshires

Our first move in that direction was the purchase of "Lizzie" a 2000 Goodfellow daughter at the KILE sale consigned by Dave Lytle. Then we were able to persuade Dave to part with some bred ewes to add to our solid foundation ewes purchased from Walnut Lane Farm and at KILE over the years. In fact, one of our son's first 4-H ewes is still in the flock because she lambs early and often. So, if you breed livestock, you know that if you get better females you are then required to go in search of the right sire. That search led to the Ohio Showcase Sale. Our faithful advisor, Ed Keeny, and Dick were impressed by the Jadewood Valley Hamps consignment and came home with "Woody", a Hysteria son, as well as Tillie, a yearling ewe by Moose. Woody was shown successfully as a lamb along with Lizzie and Tille as a pair of yearlings. At KILE 2001 Woody was champion ram and the ewes were first pair of yearlings, along with the rest of our show string we were Premier Exhibitor. Now the showring bug has really bitten. In 2002 Lizzie's twin ram lambs were first place pair at NAILE. But, our goals go beyond the showring.

We have selected our replacements for correctness and size at weaning, as well as genetic test results. All of the lambs we have tested so far have been NN and we have some RR and a lot of QR lambs. In addition, we are very particular about temperament in our rams. Good rams have gone to the stockyards for bad behavior. Ewes that are good mothers will stay in the flock longer than better looking females that are less maternal. We've had a lot of help establishing our flock. Ed and LouAnn Keeny have been our advisors from the beginning on selection and management, and Ed's help has been priceless with our show animals. Since we purchased Woody Steve and Stacy Taylor have made the trek from Jadewood Valley to keep an eye on the lambs and have helped fit and show Woody's offspring. Betty Hope has hauled our entries to Louisville and cared for them there, so we could fly in for the show like gentleman farmers. All of them have been good friends to us and we can't thank them enough.