We caught up with the breeder of the Grand Champion Market Lamb at the 2025 Minnesota Youth Livestock Expo. We invite you to read our candid interview with Begalka Livestock below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”
What’s the pedigree of your champion?
Sired by 2.0
Dam is Donor 1161 by Gorilla
What are your long-term goals as a breeder?
We hope to continue to raise the highest quality that we can
Was there a moment when you almost gave up? What made you push through?
Winters in South Dakota can be brutal, I’m sure there was a day of -50 along with too much snow that wasn’t much fun. It just makes it a bit more challenging.
What’s something you’ve changed your mind about over the years?
If you ask my wife and 3 daughters this question they’d say it’s hard to change my mind on anything!
If you could rebuild your herd/flock from scratch, what would you do differently?
Luckily I started with the same goal at the start of raising both cattle and sheep. Have as good of a female base as you can get.
Is there a breeding decision you’re especially proud of — or one you regret?
We have always had a linebred genetic base in our breeding decisions. The best compliments we receive from visitors is how uniform our lamb crops are.
What’s your favorite state fair — and why?
Definitely the South Dakota State Fair aka “the dirt fair”!
You just have to come see for yourself!!
What’s next — any big goals or projects in the works?
We are remodeling all of our yards, adding bunkline feeders everywhere. As the work force at Begalka Livestock is down to just Stacy and myself , we are hoping to continue with the same numbers but hopefully making the chore load easier.
