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Mavencamp Livestock

We caught up with the breeder of the Supreme Champion Breeding Ewe at the 2023 Oklahoma Youth Expo. We invite you to read our candid interview with Mavencamp Livestock below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”

Who had the biggest influence on you to start your own herd?
My 4-H leader, Larry Baker, convinced my dad that is would be ok if I bought a ewe lamb as a market lamb, needless to say she didn’t go to slaughter.

First buck you can remember you bred to:
McIlrath buck we bought at the Top of the Rockies circa 1991.

Favorite ewe? Why?
My favorite ewe is one that has never been shown, probably because she doesn’t have all the show ring bells and whistles, but lays down every year and has the standout, and years later has left daughters that do the same year after year.

Growing up what did you think your occupation would be?
10 year old me – Marine Biologist, what little girl who grew up in a land locked state doesn’t want to save dolphins. 15 year me – US Secretary of Agriculture, not sure where I went astray, but I’m glad I did.

Are you still on the farm or buildings that you started raising sheep in? If not, when and why did you decide to move?
No, I was luckily rescued from the brutally cold winters of Wyoming and moved right next door to my husband’s family’s 104 year old Angus Ranch in Bliss, Idaho! We have built a great facility and hopefully my boys can carry on both operations one day.

What has been the scariest decision for your operation?
I am always scared but never scared of every decision we make in operation, however,  trusting our program gives me peace.

If you could add one thing to your operation, what would it be and why?
Even though I do not want leave Idaho, I wish it didn’t seem so much like we live on an island. Traveling time and lack of foot traffic are a definite disadvantage.