Sheep Provide weave ForßOw Family Fabric (Continued from Pag* B2T have a way to go, but we’re starting to get some attention.” The quality of the flcccemusl be considered along with the meat yielding quality of the frame. The genetic qualities must still demon strate the ideal breed qualities. But there is the roadwork, the preparation, the dedication, the decisions, the headaches. They show Corriedalcs at five to sue shows a year, mostly in the Northeast, but also in Ohio, Illi nois, and Missouri. ’ Ben said that his flock has been getting attention because of the shows, and the winning by other people who purchased animals from the Bow flock. The grand champion fleece of the Ohio State Fair carhe from a Locust Ridge ewe purchased by an Ohio breeder. BoW said that is important because Ohio is a stronghold for Corrieditie breed ers, and i t means something-when winners start coming from out-of state. “Over the years, if you’re con stantly showing, and not number one, but in the top placings, then you can get noticed,” Ben said explaining his understanding of the recognition his family received. They also received recognition when a ram out of a ewe they donated to the Ohio State Univer sity turned out to be the best ram lamb there, and the univeristy used the Locust Ridge-developed ram as a sire to develop its flock. “Things like that made our fami ly name keep coming up,” Ben said, “just like, we have been the champion breeder at Maryland, and at the Pennsylvania Farm Plant Of Echinacea purpurea 'Mag nus' has been selected as the 1998 Perennial Plant of the Year by the Perennial Plant Associa tion. This plant was selected for its long season ornamental effect, adaptability to most areas of North America, and ease of production. Gardeners should be able to obtain this exciting selection through their local gar den center or through the many mail order perennial nurseries. Show for the last couple of years.” The Bows have also donated the use of their lambs for use in Christ ian pageantry at nearby Lebanon Valley College, and also at the Cornwall Elementary School. The Lancaster County tourist entertainment attraction Sight and-Sound used to rent lambs from Bow, but actually purchased some and now maitain their own flock because of the specific needs they have for certain size animals. The Bow name has also been associated with sheep through the county 4-H program and the coun ty fair. “I have always felt that we, the Bow family, owe something to the 4-H program for what it has done for us. It has made a good impress ion on out lives and on our child ren,” Ben said. He has donated his time to instruct youth on shearing and sheep activities and wool, etc., at -over "the years. However, he said the key to rec ognition by the national organiza tion is developing a flock for good shape and consistency. The strategy for developing his flock has been based on advise of keeping the top 10 percent of the flock for breeding. “You have to have at least 25 sheep. Your predictability is going to be pretty poor if you don’t," he said. It’s better to have a 100 from which to select, he said. That gives 10 animals from which to focus the future of the flock. After a number of generations and selections, and as more and more of the flock is refined, quality of the cull animals becomes The Year The Perennial Plant Associa tion is an international profes sional association incorporated in 1983. One of the goals of the Association is to disseminate information of benefit to the public regarding the use and care of perennials. Membership in the Perennial Plant Associa tion includes growers, retailers, educators, garden writers, and members of landscape related industries. higher. If the Bows’ flock contains SO percent show quality animals, they can sell 40 percent to others for showing or breeding, and continue to keep their 10 percent for con tinue the program, and also sell or use the other SO percent The Cortiedale breed was derived from an 1866 cross : between Long Wool rams and Merino ewes, for the purpose of developing an animal that would do well on the New Zealand range in producing a good carcass and good wool. Bow said the wool of the Corrie dales is naturally finer than most, and making breeding decisions for dual purposes is easier somewhat because of it. •w family Corriedale flock feeds behind Ben, Mary and Benj Bow, who are joined by dogs Rip and Jake at the edge of an old orchard, now a pasture behind their Annville farm house. Lmcasttr Firming, Saturday, Mach 7,199849 Line breeding is part of the game for creating consistent ani mals, but introducing outside genetics is very important too, in order to repress the recessive and usually unwanted genes. He tries to keep his breeding ewes about 75 percent pure and is working on developing a SO-SO ram to use on them, ”... so we won’t stray too farm from what we consider ideal, and at the same time keeping down recessive traits. "You’re always going to have recessive traits that you’re not too proud of, and cull them out We have it pretty well under control how. “But farming is a science with cause and effect, and the farmer is the manipi’lator, especially with animal husbandly,” Bow said. “You go out and find an animal you like, and bring home a ram to use, and think how the lambs should come out, and they don’t “It’s the same with how much fertilizer to use, and how much to feed the animals, and the cost effectiveness of feeding. You can’t have them too fat, because fat reduces fertility, and all of these things wind together and that’s what makes it interesting to me,” Ben said. . “And each year, breeding sea son brings excitement about what will result in five months down the road, and what will work, and then it teases you and keeps you coming back.”
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