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Hard work pays off for students at Oregon county lamb show

By Associated Press
Published: June 11, 2017, 2:16pm
4 Photos
Johanna Simonson, 13, of Sutherlin, Ore. and her mother Kelly Simonson groom lamb, "Hay Hay", before competing at the 2017 Douglas County Lamb Show in Roseburg, Ore., on Saturday June 3, 2017.
Johanna Simonson, 13, of Sutherlin, Ore. and her mother Kelly Simonson groom lamb, "Hay Hay", before competing at the 2017 Douglas County Lamb Show in Roseburg, Ore., on Saturday June 3, 2017. (Michael Sullivan/The News-Review via AP) Photo Gallery

ROSEBURG, Ore. — Buddy, this year’s grand champion at the Douglas County Lamb Show, has been one of Ramsey Wilfong’s favorite lambs so far in the four years he’s been raising and showing them.

At 133 pounds, Buddy’s pretty big. He has just the right amount of fat on him, and he squares up nicely, Ramsey said. These are the kinds of traits judges look for when they’re choosing a champion lamb.

Ramsey, 13, of Roseburg has also competed against kids from other states in several jackpot competitions, taking home ribbons in competitions in Prineville and Medford. He’s used his winnings to build up his own flock of lambs.

About 200 4-H and FFA students showed their lambs Saturday at the 2017 Douglas County Lamb Show at the Douglas County Fairgrounds. The students and their parents said responsibility, confidence and business skills are among the benefits students gain from raising, showing and selling their lambs.

Ramsey’s mother, Kelly Mead, is proud of the young businessman her son has become.

“It’s teaching him good morals and values,” she said.

Ramsey works with his lambs morning and night. Until the lambs are fed, he doesn’t eat dinner, Mead said.

Ramsey got Buddy from Noble Ridge Ranch in Oakland. He said they’ve been very helpful. Kate Crawford, from Noble Ranch, has given him weekly one-on-one lessons.

Madeline Gibbs, 15, has been coming to the lamb show for seven years. This year, she came with her lamb Noah, who took second in conformation and second in showmanship in his class.

Noah’s an anxious lamb, which made the showmanship competition a bit nerve-wracking, Madeline said.

“He’s not necessarily the most cooperative of lambs,” she said. “I knew he was going to fight back.”

Madeline said she likes the lamb show because she puts in several months of work and then sees that work pay off.

“I’ve had a lot of successes. It keeps me coming back,” she said.

Hanna Kruse, 13, of Scottsburg carefully scrubbed down her lamb Charlie before the showmanship competition. Like many of the students, she’s in it for the financial rewards.

“I do this so I can save up money,” she said.

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