Sheep Field Day 2017 – Recap

Dr. Dan Morrical
Professor of Animal Science
Iowa State University

Dan Morrical joined the Iowa State University staff in 1984 as Extension Sheep Specialist after completing his doctorate degree at New Mexico State University. He holds the rank of Full Professor as of July 1, 1995.

At Iowa State University, Dr. Morrical has been responsible for educational programs in all areas of sheep production, ranging from nutrition, genetics, marketing and management. Research areas have focused on applied projects in the areas of nutrition, forage utilization, genetics, out-of-season breeding and lamb survival. He currently serves as Iowa State University representative to NCERA 214 multi state research project “Increasing the Efficiency of Sheep Production”.

Dr. Morrical has been heavily involved in providing educational resources to the sheep industry. He has authored over 30 extension fact sheets, ration balancing software programs, grazing videos and most recently co-authored the nutrition chapter in the SID Handbook with Dr. Margaret Benson from Washington State University.

Stan Potratz
Owner
Premier 1 Supplies

Premier 1 Supplies is co-owned by Stan and Jean Potratz. Stan founded the company after returning to Iowa 40 years ago from England, where he was a farm manager and college lecturer. Premier now includes three small farms (about 400 acres total) with 800+ commercial ewes, 20 Boer goats, one horse, 2 small poultry flocks, 40 domestic waterfowl on 14 ponds, and 8 livestock guardian dogs. The farms and animals allow Premier to field-test and evaluate new and current products.

Dr. Travis Hoffman
Assistant Professor / Sheep Extension Specialist
North Dakota State University

Travis Hoffman was born and raised on a diversified sheep, cattle, and grain operation in South Dakota. His family raises registered Corriedale sheep that have won numerous national honors. Travis received his Bachelor’s Degree from South Dakota State University in Animal Sciences; and a Master’s Degree and Ph.D. in Meat Sciences from Colorado State University with an emphasis in lamb quality, value, and consumer perception. Dr. Hoffman is currently employed at North Dakota State University and the University of Minnesota as the Extension Sheep Specialist for North Dakota and Minnesota and based in Fargo, ND.

Dr. Richard Ehrhardt
Extension Specialist, Small Ruminants
Michigan State University

Richard Ehrhardt has been the small ruminant specialist at Michigan State University since 2009 holding a joint appointment between the departments of animal science and large animal clinical sciences. He received his MS and PhD (1997) from Cornell University and then pursued further specialized training in molecular endocrinology and metabolic regulation all centered on understanding the mechanisms that regulate nutrient use especially during pregnancy.

His interest in outreach and applied research were fostered by his experiences managing his own flock of commercial ewes on an accelerated lambing program for the past 17 years, shearing professionally since his early teens, raising purebred sheep through his college years and doing field research in New Zealand and Australia.

His current interests revolve around increasing production efficiency in small ruminants through strategic nutritional management, optimizing aseasonal reproduction, improving whole-farm forage utilization and by establishing preventative health programs.

Lesa Eidman
Director of Producer Resources and Sustainability
Superior Farms

Lesa Eidman was hired by Superior Farms as the Director of Producer Resources and Sustainability in January 2015. This position was established by Superior Farms as part of its long term strategic vision to partner with lamb producers, sheep industry associations and other industry stakeholders to strengthen and grow the American lamb industry.

Prior to working for Superior Farms, she was the Executive Director for the California Wool Growers Association and the California Pork Producers Association for 11 years. As the Executive Director she actively supported the members by understanding their needs, and influencing policy on their behalf. Lesa focused on obtaining grants to host educational workshops, expanded marketing programs, engaged policy makers in the regulatory process, and promoted the products of lamb and pork.

Lesa’s late grandfather always told people that her first word was “lamb” and her first steps were taken in the lambing barn. Lesa was raised in a family whose heart and financial investment have always been in agriculture, whether it be production, education or sales, which is a passion she continues to carry.

Lesa graduated from California State University, Fresno with a Bachelor of Science in Agricultural Business, she then continued her education at UC Davis and obtained her Master of Science in Agricultural and Resource Economics.