We caught up with the breeder of the Grand Champion Market Lamb at the 2025 Aksarben Stock Show. We invite you to read our candid interview with Deno Livestock below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”
What’s the pedigree of your champion?
Jagger X Gigi donor (Double T X Chanel (89 X Bravo))
What are your long-term goals as a breeder?
To continue to try to positively impact as many show families and kids as possible. We work with many great youth around the country, and we throughly enjoy our job. We continue to hope more and more kids get involved in the sheep industry!
Was there a moment when you almost gave up? What made you push through?
A few years ago we retained about 30% of our embryos we put in. It was a challenging year ahead after that, but we all banded together and pushed through. It made us better shepherds and ultimately changed the way we look at how we do what we do.
What’s something you’ve changed your mind about over the years?
Type and kind and recognizing that one particular kind isn’t always everyone else’s kind. As a breeder raising the ones you like is always important, but learning to have a product that more than one set of folks likes is important as well. Having balance in your program and still putting out what you like has become a bigger goal here over the years!
If you could rebuild your herd/flock from scratch, what would you do differently?
Focus on the commercial part of our program quicker. Everyone wants to have the flashy show ewe and donor pen. I learned the importance of high quality Recips way too late in the infancy of our program. I get as much enjoyment out of them now as our best ewes because at the end of the day, they are just as important to ensuring our business success!
What trait do you wish you had focused on sooner in your program?
Making sheep that were more feedable for every day families. Having a set of sheep that are feedable and manageable for folks of any budget or goal is harder initially than it seems.
Is there a breeding decision you’re especially proud of — or one you regret?
We will always be proud of the decision to mate the Chanel donor to Slot Machine a couple years ago. That mating was really successful for us in the show ring, as well as in production. It’s still having an effect in our program to this day, the state fair sheep was
What’s your favorite state fair — and why?
Indiana State Fair, it’s the home turf!
Is there anything you wish you had known when you started breeding?
Just to remain patient and stay persistent.
What’s next — any big goals or projects in the works?
Continue to add to the depth of our flock and hopefully make the set of champions in the months to come!
