Futurity Standings as of 10/7/24 {pdf}

NAILE - Nov. 16 & 18
The NAILE premium book and online entry system is up and can be seen at www.livestockexpo.org. If you will be joining us as an open show exhibitor, please remember to send an added $12/head entry fee to the ASRA to help bolster our premium account. The Shropshire Junior Show is scheduled for Saturday 11/16 in Ring C following the Hampshire show. The National Open Show will be Monday 11/18 in Ring B, again following Hampshires. Unfortunately, judges for the events have not been confirmed. The ASRA Annual Meeting of the Members will be held along with this event at 6 PM Sunday 11/17 with the meeting room info available soon.

Deaths in the Industry

    John S. Albin, 95, of Newman, Ill. died April 20, 2024 at home surrounded by his loving family.
    John was born on Oct. 28, 1928, in Newman, to Leonard B. and Grace H. (Harrington) Albin. He married Marjorie A. Albin on Sept. 10, 1949, and spent 71 wonderful years together until her passing in 2021. He was also preceded in death by his parents and one son, Marty Albin.
    John is survived by two children, Perry (Cathy) Albin and David Albin; five grandchildren; seven great-grandchildren, with one on the way; and a very close family friend, Will Coolley.
    John graduated from Newman High School in 1946. He was the captain of the football team his senior year and had an undefeated season. After high school, he continued his education by attending Millikin University for two years and played for the Millikin football team. He transferred to the University of Illinois, where he was a member of the FarmHouse Fraternity and graduated Bronze Table and received a B.S. degree in agriculture.
    John was a farmer for over 50 years and was involved in agriculture all his life. John was honored as The News-Gazette’s Farm Leader of the Year and received the Prairie Farmer Master Farmer award. He was the national president of the American Shropshire Sheep Association, president of the Illinois FBFM board for many years and was elected to the Newman CUSD 303 school board for several years, where he served as president for part of his tenure. He also dedicated 30 years to Parkland College’s board as board chairman. 
John and Marjorie founded Longview Capital Corporation in 1978, a multi-bank holding company focused on agriculture in rural areas. Beginning as one of the smallest banks in Illinois, it has grown to a financial institution with 17 locations through purchasing and branching. John and Marjorie were awarded the Cozad Entrepreneur of the Year Lifetime Achievement Award.
    John attended Wesley Chapel Church all his life. He was also a member of the UI Foundation and was a loyal fan of the Illinois football team. John and Marjorie traveled to Mexico for many years.
Memorial donations may be made to Wesley Chapel Church or the Albin Cemetery.

Frederick W. Heaton age 78 of Russia, Ohio, died on Friday, May 31, 2024 at Ohio Hospice Inpatient Unit, Troy, Ohio.  He was born on June 27, 1945 in Piqua, Ohio to the late Floyd & Helen (Roegner) Heaton.  He married Pamela Trappe on August 14, 1981 and she survives in Russia.  He is also survived by children: Brad & Angie Heaton, Russia, Mel Beckner, Piqua, Mike Heaton, Russia, Angie Hiegel, Piqua, 8 grandchildren, 6 great grandchildren.  He was preceded in death by his parents, granddaughter Shelby Bey, sister Geri & Nelson Roberts.
   Fred graduated from Houston High School in 1963 and attended Eastern Kentucky University.  He retired from Hobart Brothers after 37 years and was a lifelong farmer.  He was a member of the American Shropshire Association and the Ohio Shropshire Association for over 60 years.  He was a past member of the American Hampshire Association and the Montadale Sheep Breeders Association.
   Funeral Services will be held at 7 PM on Friday June 7, 2024 at the Hogenkamp Funeral Home, Russia. Friends may call at the funeral Home from 5 to 7 PM on Friday.  In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Charity of the Donor’s Choice.  Condolences may be left at www.hogenkampfh.com.

Past Deaths in the Industry here

Indiana Premier Sheep Sale results available here

Dwarf Gene Policy News
In 2023, after 2 years of discussion, the ASRA Board instituted a project to assess the presence of the Dwarf gene with in the Shropshire breed. The Dwarf Gene is a simple autosomal recessive defect that is characterized by the affected offspring being proportionally reduced in frame size and weight to approximately 80-85% of normal size.  These individuals are often characterized by “increased muscle shape” in the show ring.  It is unclear at this time if the difference in phenotype of the muscle is due to a change in the size of the muscle fibers or due to differences in the distribution of muscle related to the change in frame size.   Carrier animals (and in some cases affected individuals) cannot be easily distinguished from dwarf-free animals due to normal differences in phenotype between different bloodlines and individuals. The Dwarf gene is present mostly in the black-faced wether-type sheep.
    At any sale where Shropshire Futurity Ewes may be consigned, Shropshire consignors must be able to guarantee, by testing or parentage, the DNA of their sale entries. All sheep offered at these sales must be guaranteed to have the genotype FF, no Dwarf gene carriers  (FD) or Dwarf animals (DD) will be offered for sale. These genotypes will be posted on the sale orders at such sales or in online catalogs. This will continue into 2024 and 2025. In addition, some animals at designated shows be sampled and DNA tested through a recognized testing facility. All test results will be confidential and only the exhibitor will be informed of the result. Shows at this time include the All American Junior Show as well as the NAILE Open and Junior Shows. Other shows may be designated in the future. All Champion and Reserve Champion Rams and Ewes as well as 5 previously random drawn placings will be tested as well as the Ewe Lamb and Yearling Ewe Futurity winners.  There will be no penalty in 2024 for animals testing with 1 or more Dwarf alleles (D). In 2025, there will be penalties levied. The ASRA Dwarf/DNA committee will hear all appeals. The ASRA currently does not prohibit a breeder from registering animals with 1 or more D alleles but suggests that breeders use the technology available to make wise breeding decisions.
    In 2023, 26 samples collected at the AAJS and NAILE were sent to GeneCheck. A total of 3 samples had a result of FD. No results were DD. The exhibitors of these animals were notified by the secretary but otherwise, results are not shared.
    Further information about Ovine Dwarfism can be found at this link.

ASRA Hall of Fame
    The Shropshire breed and its breeders are rich in history. The American Shropshire Registry Association (ASRA) has developed the Hall of Fame to honor people/families that have had a profound and positive impact on the growth, development, and legend of Registered Purebred Shropshire Sheep in the United States. The award will consist of a certificate with the recipient and/or farm name. The award will be presented/mailed to the recipient, if the recipient is deceased, the award will be presented to a family member. The recipient’s name will be added to the American Shropshire Registry Association Hall of Fame list that shall be printed in “The Voice”. It is the ASRA Board of Directors goal to embrace, celebrate and honor those people/families who have been historically influential to the Shropshire Breed. Click here for eligibility and nomination information (PDF).