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.

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).

Deaths in the Industry