We caught up with the breeder of the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb at the 2024 Michigan Livestock Expo and the Grand Champion Market Lamb at the 2024 Kentucky State Fair. We invite you to read our candid interview with Amburgey Genetics below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”
What’s the pedigree of your champion?
Michigan: Chief x “Burg” Donor ( Saban x “Harley” AG 2011″)
Kentucky: Unicorn x “Burg” Donor (Saban x “Harley” 2011), which is also the dam of the Reserve at MLE and “Dark Horse” from Midwest Fever.
What is one thing you still want to accomplish as a breeder?
Lofty goals are cool and absolutely we have those, but making them higher quality than the year prior is our main focus that holds us accountable to get better.
Favorite show ring trend?
Open minded to anything that doesn’t rhyme with the word “halter”.
Favorite industry sire of all time?
Growing up I was always mesmerized by studying the Cabaniss 118 prodgeny, Grand Slam, Ultra and Composure.
In the last decade or so, the roster of Drop The Mic, Burn, Unicorn and Chief seem to be in the pedigrees of major show winners and the next generation of stud rams.
Most influential female in your flock? Why?
Although we’re continuously purchasing outcross females to progress forward, our 2011 donor we call “Harley” seems to do it all for us. Her daughters are starting to become influential as well, generating the Reserve at MLE, Grand at Kentucky, and the Midwest Fever ram, “ Dark Horse”.
Favorite show animal you’ve ever seen?
Bought a ewe lamb this year, and our two year old named her “Elsa”. There’s plenty of show animals better than her, but Elsa is my favorite because of the bond between her and Jaye, and the lessons she’s teaching her.
