Welcome to Mountain State Lamb

Charles "Gary" Jennings

Charles “Gary” Jennings

The Mountain States Lamb Cooperative family lost one of its founding members on November 4, 2009. Gary Jennings, 70, of Riverton, Wyoming, passed away following a lengthy battle with pancreatic cancer.

Gary is survived by his wife of 40 years, Colleen; son, Bill Jennings and wife Malissa; daughter, Cindy Schmuck and husband Terry; eight grandchildren, and his sister, Carol Jennings of Thermopolis.

A University of Wyoming graduate, Gary was involved in agriculture all his life, active on many state and local boards and served four terms in the Wyoming Legislature. He was named Fremont County Ag Man of the Year in 1999.

Memorials may be made to the Help for Health Hospice Home or St. Margaret's Catholic School Foundation, in care of the Davis Funeral Home, 2203 West Main Street, Riverton, WY 82501.

Despite his illness, Gary and Colleen attended our annual meeting in July. Gary will be remembered by his fellow lamb producers for his wisdom, service to others, and positive approach to life.

2010 Forms

Members will find several forms for 2010 included with this newsletter. Everyone marketing lambs in 2010, needs to complete:

2010 Payment Information form

COOL affidavit

Quality Assurance Statement

These three forms should be returned to the Co-op office by fax, mail, or as a pdf attached to an email.

Also included is a 2010 Producer Natural Affidavit. When you put natural lambs on feed, give a signed copy of this to your feedlot and send a copy to the office. If you purchase natural lambs from another producer you must get a completed affidavit for the lambs. If you feed and ship your own lambs directly you will need to present the producer affidavit and a shipper affidavit to the plant and the Co-op when the lambs are harvested. Feel free to reproduce the affidavit or request additional copies from the office.

If you have a question on any of these forms, please do not hesitate to give the office a call. All the MSLC contact information is above.

We would greatly appreciate you taking a few minutes now to get the 2010 payment information sheet, COOL Affidavit, and Quality Assurance Statement completed and submitted. This will greatly conserve staff time and ensures that your 2010 payments can be sent out in a timely manner.

October and November Top Lambs

Frank Shirts, Wilder, Idaho had the top lambs in October. Shirts earned an average market premium of $5.04 per head on a load of 74% Yield Grade 2’s and 24% Yield Grade 3’s. The lambs also qualified for a $4.89 per head natural premium bringing his total average premium per head to $9.93. The lambs were fed at Double J Feeders, Ault, CO. The average market premium during October was $2.38 and the average pelt earned $5.49.

The top load of lambs sent during November were from Miller Lamb, Ltd, Reinbeck, IA. Also fed at Double J Feeders, these lambs were 75 % Yield Grade 2’s and 24% Yield Grade 3’s. They earned a grid premium of $4.89 and qualified for a natural premium of $4.21, making the total average premium per head $9.10. The average market premium during November was $1.75 per head and the average pelt returned $5.45.

2010 Annual Meeting

Mark your 2010 calendars now. The Mountain States Lamb Cooperative Annual Meeting will be held July 14-16, 2010 at the Radisson Woodlands Hotel, Flagstaff, AZ.

Once again, we plan to kick off with a Welcoming Reception on Wednesday evening, followed by a business meeting on Thursday, and a Grand Canyon Sheep Tour on Friday. We will wrap up our time together with a special dinner on Friday evening.

The discounted room rate for our group will be $104.00 plus tax. Our room block will be held until June 22. Reservations can be made at http://www.radisson.com/mslamb .

MSLC Procurement

Everyone,

My family and I have made some major adjustments in our ranching operation over the past couple of months. These changes should improve my availability and phone service. Effective immediately my cell phone will become my primary phone number, and should have service from 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Mon thru Friday. If you call during these hours I should be readily available, or if on another call, leave a message and I will get back to you immediately.
Of course, my office phone number is still available during off hours, but I will be using it for outgoing calls early in the morning and in the late afternoon, so your best opportunity to catch me is on my cell during the day.

Schedule:
6:30 – 9:00 am: Outgoing calls to Feedlots, Slaughter Plant, MSR, & Co-op office

9:30 – 2:30: Available for Member communications – Good cell coverage and email availability
This will be my primary period for taking and returning members phone calls. If you need an early morning or evening return call let me know with a message on this number and I will call you back at the requested time if at all possible.

3:00 – 6:00 pm: Outgoing calls to close out the day
I may be available on my cell phone earlier or later, depending on the amount of time spent with outgoing calls. Please feel free to leave a message on my cell at any time and I will return the call ASAP. The above posted hours are for when I am at home. Of course, Co-op travel will alter my schedule, but I generally have better cell coverage while traveling and will respond to messages as timely as possible.

I am your primary contact for Co-op business related to scheduling, natural affidavits, reviewing kill sheets, market conditions, etc. If you have questions for the Douglas office relating to your payment, share usage, or leasing, Becky or Tracey are always glad to take your calls, but with my improved availability, I should be able to handle most of your questions.

Cell 307-267-9571
Office 307-738-2622
Home 307-738-2602
Fax 307-738-2575

Bob Harlan

2009-2010 MSLC Board Contact Info

Frank Moore-Chairman	Douglas, WY
307-358-2694 Home	307-359-0111 Cell

Brad Boner-Vice Chairman	Glenrock, WY
307-436-5406 Home	307-359-1162 Cell

Mark Wahl-Sec/Treas	Lebanon, OR
541-258-2435 Home	541-905-6064 Cell

Jay Hasbrouck	Ault, CO
970-834-1583 Home	970-371-0868 Cell

Robert Oxarango	Rupert, ID
208-436-1113 Home	208-431-0777 Cell

Colorado Check-Off Reminder

If you plan to apply for a refund on Colorado Check-off dollars be sure to do so within the 30 day deadline. Bonnie Brown of the Colorado Sheep and Wool authority reminds producers that year-end requests received after the 30 day deadline will not be reimbursed. If you have any questions, you can visit their website at www.coloradosheep.org or give Bonnie a call at 303-431-8310.

Old Ewe Market

The old ewe market has been very strong this fall. If you still have old ewes you need to market contact Bob. The Co-op is not marketing old ewes directly, but can provide marketing information.

Candle

MERRY CHRISTMAS
AND BEST WISHES FOR A HEALTHY, HAPPY, AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR!

The Staff and Board of Mountain States Lamb Co-op