We caught up with the breeder of the Reserve Supreme Champion Ewe at the 2025 California Youth Ag Expo. We invite you to read our candid interview with W2/Farao Club Lambs below and please continue to check back often for our next edition of “Breeder Spotlight.”
What’s the pedigree of your champion?
She was sired by Ceasefire, dam by Chief daughter
What are your long-term goals as a breeder?
To breed high-quality club Lamb Sheep for our customers!
Was there a moment when you almost gave up? What made you push through?
There are always hard times, long hours, difficult moments. But the spring Lamb crop always brings new excitement full of potential that keeps you going for another year.
What’s something you’ve changed your mind about over the years?
In the end quality always wins out.
If you could rebuild your herd/flock from scratch, what would you do differently?
If I was gonna start my flock today, I would start with fewer ewes of the highest quality that I could possibly purchase and utilize artificial insemination flushing to move the program forward.
What trait do you wish you had focused on sooner in your program?
Better structure, that showring look that the winners have!
Is there a breeding decision you’re especially proud of — or one you regret?
The best decision I’ve made was to start using artificial insemination 10 years ago. We did our first AI breeding and I’ve never looked back.
What’s your favorite state fair — and why?
I have attended quite a few state fairs, and the one that always comes to mind is the Indiana State fair so many different breeds and high-quality individuals.
Is there anything you wish you had known when you started breeding?
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low prices is forgotten.
What’s next — any big goals or projects in the works?
The goal is always to breed the highest quality individuals so that we can have them shown on the biggest stages.
