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In 1997 I wanted to invest in some livestock to utilize some pasture on our acreage. I work a job that requires me to be away for an extended amount of time, so I needed a low imput animal with minimal human intervention. After extensive research I decided to try Katahdin sheep. Other sheep farmers in the area told me this would never work because I wouldn't be able to dedicate the time during lambing to make the sheep venture successful. But they had never been exposed to the Katahdin breed. The Katahdin breed has lived up to my expectations. After several years of raising Katahdin sheep it was obvious to me, that all sheep, even Katahdins, are not created equal. I try to select for maternal traits and at the same time try to increase the size of the finished lamb to take to the sale barn. This was a difficult task because when selecting rams from other farms the only information you would have on it was birth type and what the animal looked like. In my quest for looking for superior breeding stock, I found out about the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP). This is a valuable tool in picking out the animal with the traits that would compliment your breeding program. After years of extensive culling and proper selection, I now have a quality animal that I'm proud to put my name on.
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At CMG Katahdin's we use several tools in selecting quality breeding stock, balanced EPD's with emphasis on maternal traits, confirmation and R's at condon 171. We specialize in breeding replacement ewes and stud rams. We want ewes that produce twins and triplets that have ample milk to raise them. We have achieved this goal, many of our ewes have EPD's in the top 5% for many traits in the breed. If you are looking for a maternal animal with ample milk and will raise her lambs unassisted you will want to get a CMG Katahdin for your flock.
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Photo 1 shows my highest EPD stud ewe. She has EPD's in the top 5% for all categories.
Photo 2 ram pen
Photo 3 ewes feeding in the North Iowa winter
I will be lambing late Feb - early March 08. I will have lambs and ewes for sale later summer '08. Yearling rams ready for sale now.
I will be attending the Midwest Stud ram sale in Sedalia, MO in June '08. I will also be at the KHSI annual meeting and sale in Sept. If you would like to purchase any of my animals I will be able to deliver animals in route to these events. Feel free to contact me anytime via phone or email. Thank you for looking at our page. Carl & Marcia Ginapp
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Katahdin