We caught up with the breeder of the Grand and Reserve Grand Champion Breeding Ewes at the 2023 The Show in Reno. We invite you to read our candid interview with Three Sisters Sheep 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?
I suppose that would be my husband, Bob. 23 years ago he came home and said, “I have a great opportunity for you to stay home with the kids and earn a little money at the same time!” I didn’t know what he was talking about, until he told me his friends, Bob and Vern Vierra (Vierra Bros Club Lambs) were selling out of the sheep business. I had never had sheep outside of raising them in 4H & FFA, so I was very apprehensive. We bought 20 bred ewes from the Vierra’s, in October of 2000, and that was the beginning of Three Sisters Sheep! So the biggest influence in starting my own herd is my husband, and when he complains that I spend too much time in the barn, I remind him that he is the reason!
First buck you can remember you bred to:
First LAI was to Unbelievable (Rule Sheep)
First buck I purchased was named “Thick Cut”, from Kevin Potter
Favorite ewe? Why?
Yikes! Tough question! Right now it’s Prudence (How High x Ocho), who just won in Reno! Sandy (How High x DJ) is a close second, since she was Reserve in Reno! Portia (Trailblazer x Hard Top) is one that will will always hold a special place, since she was one that had a winning career as well as one that produced multiple winners.
Growing up what did you think your occupation would be?
Certainly never even considered raising sheep! When I was a kid, I had many dreams- teacher, actress, accountant. I think raising sheep encompasses all of these in different aspects.
Are you still on the farm or buildings that you started raising sheep in? If not, when and why did you decide to move?
Still at the same spot! Before we started with sheep, we built a barn for our horses. We soon found out that the barn wasn’t big enough! We got rid of the horses and have added on to the barn 4 times. Sure wish I knew back then that I’d be raising sheep, because the barn would’ve been built much differently!
What has been the scariest decision for your operation?
Buying half of How High! It sounds funny now, but at the time $20,000 was lot of money! I was just hoping that he’d work, hoping that I might be able to recoup my investment, just hoping that it wouldn’t be a total flop! As it turns out, some of the scariest decisions we make are the best ones we make!
If you could add one thing to your operation, what would it be and why?
Good question! I’m pretty comfortable with what we have, I’ve adjusted as we’ve grown and most things work for me. If anything, I wish there was “one more of me”, someone that could go out and teach kids how to show, how to feed, how to fit. Of course, that’s a two-way street, they have to be willing to accept the help, and that’s not always the case.
