We caught up with the breeder of the Reserve Champion Market Lamb at the 2026 Michigan Livestock Expo. We invite you to read our candid interview with Rule Sheep Company below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”
What’s the pedigree of your champion?
Gucci x SOC x Next Level
How many years have you been raising sheep?
Our family’s involvement in the sheep industry began in the 1950s, when we established our first commercial feedlot in Colorado.
In the 1980s, a new opportunity brought our family to northwest Iowa to manage the renowned Iowa Lamb packing operation.
The 1990’s introduced us to the show ring, and we’ve been trying to progress daily.
So, long story short… somewhere between 30 and 70 years, depending on how you want to count it!
What excites you the most about raising show stock?
Maybe we’re getting a little softer as we get older, but one of the most rewarding parts now is seeing the families we worked with and celebrated alongside in the ’90s and early 2000’s come back, this time chasing those same dreams with their own kids. That’s pretty fun!
What is your favorite animal on your farm?
Tyson- Peaches.
Cooper- Tyson’s still living in the MySpace era. Let’s go with “Blackout,” one of Gucci’s flushmate sisters that has already flushed large numbers. I’m also high on What If’s flushmate sisters.
What is one lesson that you have learned while raising sheep that has changed your perspective over time?
I’m really glad I didn’t cut 5251 the morning of our sale in 2015!
Where would you like to see your operation go in the next 5 – 10 years?
Just like the last 30 years, our goal is to keep adapting and pushing forward. One of the things I love most about this industry is that it never stands still—from advancements in reproductive technology to the opportunities kids have today to compete at more shows than ever before. If we continue embracing those innovations while staying true to our pursuit of creating more of that top 1%, I think the future is incredibly bright for both our operation and the industry.
