1. Becky Lannon
We are sad to report that last month Becky Lannon of Lone Star Farm in Hockley TX died. She was a friend and mentor to many of us, and will be greatly missed.
Becky and her husband Mike raised American Blackbelly sheep starting in 1996 and switched to Barbados Blackbelly a few years later. In Becky’s own words: “What started out as a hobby, that we hoped would grow into a business, has instead become our passion.” And passionate she was indeed, with 401 Lone Star bred sheep appearing in our Book of Registry since 2003. Becky was dedicated, clear in her standards and beliefs, hilariously funny, a wonderful photographer, stoic in the face of life’s trials and tribulations (of which she had more than her fair share by far), optimistic and exceptionally persevering. If you take the time to look at the list of excellent animals Lone Star registered you will get an appreciation of the impact Becky and Mike have had on our breed.
Please take the time to honor Becky and Lone Star Farm by reading her article in the Feb 2018 BBSAI newsletter https://www.blackbellysheep.org/newsletter/2018/2018feb.pdf and on her website: http://www.lonestarbarbadosblackbelly.com/. You will learn a lot! Her photos are fantastic and show off their beautiful animals. Her love and appreciation for each sheep as an individual shines through as you read about how they struggled to save 4 rams after a serious wildfire which killed several important sheep outright; about the personalities of ewes and their livestock guardian dogs (one of whom was shot to death by a neighbor when he inadvertently escaped one day); and of the history of the Arkansas and Hatley bloodlines as examples. You will learn about their philosophy about raising and managing sheep, and potentially pick up tips you can use yourself.
Here are Becky’s own words about the Lone Star creed:
“Here at Lone Star Farm, we are all about commitment. We are committed to the Barbados Blackbelly as a breed, we are committed to breeding excellent quality sheep, we are committed to helping our buyers be successful in raising quality sheep, and above all we are committed to integrity. What you glean from these pages is intended to help you in your endeavors to raise quality Barbados Blackbelly Sheep.”
2. Microgrant Appications Now Open at the Livestock Conservancy
The Livestock Conservancy is again offering small grants in the range of $500 to $2000 to help those who raise rare breeds like the Barbados Blackbelly. These grants can be for improving fences, purchasing helpful genetics, help with marketing your sheep and many other creative uses. For information about how and when to apply, and what grants have been previously awarded, etc, please go to https://livestockconservancy.org/resources/micro-grant-program/
3. Please submit your member outreach survey if you have not already done so, in order to earn your $25 off the membership renewal fee due next month. The deadline is May 15!
4. You can join the next FREE American Sheep Industry webinar on Tuesday, May 16 when Dr. Jim Logan, ASI Animal Health Committee Co-Chair, will host the first of a two-part series on Animal Health Management in the sheep industry.
You can register for the webinar by clicking the ‘Register Now’ link below. This will afford you not only access to the live webinar but also follow up emails with links to the webinar recording and PowerPoint slides. This webinar is made possible by the generous support of the American Sheep Industry Association and a Cooperative Agreement from the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS).
Animal Health Management: Keeping Track of It All and Making Good Decisions
Join us for a webinar on May 16, 2023 at 7:00 PM CDT.
Register now! https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/5985856081560632923