We caught up with the breeder of the Reserve Champion Market Lamb at the 2025 State Fair of Texas. We invite you to read our candid interview with Impact Hamps below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”
What’s the pedigree of your champion?
Sired by Company Man
What are your long-term goals as a breeder?
Continue to make high quality show sheep that can compete at high levels.
Was there a moment when you almost gave up? What made you push through?
With livestock you will always have hard moments and times you think “why do we do this?” but just the idea of progressing and being better everyday helps the bad moments. With livestock you have to enjoy the process.
What’s something you’ve changed your mind about over the years?
Not a lot, maybe the decision to not stick bucks out for cleanup to keep lambing groups closer together and the decision to sell semen on our bucks.
If you could rebuild your herd/flock from scratch, what would you do differently?
Not a whole lot.
What trait do you wish you had focused on sooner in your program?
We try not to focus on a single trait, just try and make the animal better as whole. Times and trends change but you can continue breeding the type of livestock you like with minor tweaks and be competitive.
Is there a breeding decision you’re especially proud of — or one you regret?
There are many we proud of and many we aren’t proud of. Some breeding decisions work and some don’t. In this particular instance Company Man is a breeding decision we are proud of and his lambs being competitive at shows are perfect examples of it.
What’s your favorite state fair — and why?
Wisconsin, a win in your home state just hits different.
Is there anything you wish you had known when you started breeding?
Can’t say we have a good answer for that. Breeding livestock is a lot of trials and tribulations. What works for one person might not work for another.
What’s next — any big goals or projects in the works?
We could make a list long of projects in the works, but the main projects and goals are just make better livestock each year and compete.
