We caught up with the breeder of the Grand Champion Market Lamb at the 2025 Michigan Livestock Expo. We invite you to read our candid interview with Chapman Brothers Show Stock below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”
What’s the pedigree of your champion?
Backseat Driver x CBSS 2008 (Say When x Next Level)
What are your long-term goals as a breeder?
Our long-term goals as a breeder are to produce as high quality sheep as we can, sell them as far and wide as possible, and continue to build the Chapman Brothers Show Stock brand.
Was there a moment when you almost gave up? What made you push through?
While I was in college and my brother, Bryant, was in vet school; our Dad was diagnosed with a brain tumor-a wild & aggressive glioblastoma. Our Dad was a picture of health and our guiding force when it came to raising show pigs and club lambs. Since our family was dealing with his terminal illness we knew we had to make a decision and focus on one species. It wasn’t necessarily a moment when we almost gave up but rather a moment of deciding whether it was hogs or sheep. We chose sheep and have never looked back. As far as what made us push through – I honestly think we were so busy we really didn’t think about it.
What’s something you’ve changed your mind about over the years?
When we started our donor & ET program we bought all of our recips. In the more recent years we have raised our recips and plan to continue to do so.
If you could rebuild your herd/flock from scratch, what would you do differently?
When I look back, I really like the way we built our flock. We started out working heavily with two well-recognized breeders near us that laid the foundation. We’ve been able to build a core set of consistent ewes by doing that.
What trait do you wish you had focused on sooner in your program?
Earlier on, I wish we had focused harder on having great milking recips and culled our recip flock harder in order to allow our lambs to be the most sale-ready at the right time.
Is there a breeding decision you’re especially proud of — or one you regret?
Our best breeding decision was breeding everything to Bullseye the first year he was available. His daughters have truly become the foundation of what we built. You can find him in 90% of the pedigrees we have today.
What’s your favorite state fair — and why?
Our favorite state fair is Michigan Livestock Expo because it’s in our home state. Technically it’s not a state fair per se, but still a special show for us.
Is there anything you wish you had known when you started breeding?
The importance of a good mineral program for AI and flush results.
What’s next — any big goals or projects in the works?
To build another barn at our main farm so all of our lambs can be at one location.
