We caught up with the breeder of the Reserve Grand Champion Market Lamb at the 2024 NAILE. We invite you to read our candid interview with Amthauer Club Lambs below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”
What’s the pedigree of your champion?
Company Man x Unicorn x Bullseye
What is an interesting fact about your champion?
This lamb comes from a fun line of females, with the Grandma (Kiwi) being a successful jackpot ewe for our daughter Stella. This lamb’s mother made a splash in Iowa on the jackpot scene and competed at the district showdown for Klaire Shanks in 2022. Probably the best part of this female line is the Great Grandmother was a slick-legged, Suffolk-appearing $600 ewe purchase from Brian Johnson.
Best piece of advice for someone just getting started?
Price does not dictate quality. You got to get out and kick the tires and see them in person, you don’t always get the full story just from a photo on a sale site. Always be willing to learn and evolve, but never forget what your core priorities are for your program.
What has been the hardest thing you have faced as a breeder?
What some people want to buy as a baby, doesn’t necessarily correlate with the ones that feed out and make it to the backdrop.
What is one thing you think is a non-negotible purchase?
A good shepherd’s crook.
What is your favorite Fall Show? Why?
Aksarben, the weather is usually comfortable, the show is laid-back, and the officials do a great job of putting on a good show.
Who is a foundation builder for your heard? What makes her so special?
We’ve had multiple ewes from Brian Johnson that have done great things for our program, but 1410 Shroyer Ewe (Player x Kool-Aid) holds a special place. She was Bullseye’s mom and we purchased her from Shroyer as a yearling. When I saw her at Shroyer’s she stood out as truly unique in a pen of 40 ewes. She had the potential to do something different, and luckily she did. Having raised Bullseye, who was greatly influential on our program and the industry, is something we are really proud of.
Who have you looked up to while building your herd? Why?
Harold Mcilrath, Larry Shell, and Brian Johnson. All of them all or were great stockman who have had great influence on the industry.
