NEWELL—The third Thursday and Friday in September, for the past 80 years, are reserved for the Annual Newell Ram Show and Sale. This year was no different, beginning on September 18 was the show at 9 a.m. and September 19 was the sale starting at 11 a.m. The popular event continues to be one of the nation’s top purebred ram and ewe show and sales.
Each year the sale and show is put on by a local effort. All members of the Newell Ram Sale Committee are from the area. They are Cody Burke, Chairman; Paul Erk, Dave Ollila, Lindsey Mangis, Chris Gotfredson, Cody Mills, Dr. Sandra Holcomb, and Levi McTaggart.
Entries for the show come in early in the summer if contestants want to take part in the show and sale. “So we took entries, entries come in about June, and they have to be registered sheep,” explained Micole Braun, Secretary.
There are entries from the local area, but the event draws competition from all over. “There are a few local people and then we got people from Minnesota, Nebraska, Wyoming, Montana, North Dakota and Colorado—they kind of come from everywhere,” said Braun. This year there were 245 entries.
The Hewitt Land Company was the auctioneer for the sale and DV Auction handled the online sales. Wade Kopren served as the Ram Show judge.
On Thursday morning there is a wool competition with all sheep entries being reminded to bring their fleece to the show! Classes are in the following, either Ram or Ewe, 64s and Finer, 60s-62s, 58s-courser and hand spinning. Cash prizes were given to the winners.
A competition held specifically for the youth is the Ray Garness Memorial Youth Purchase Credit Program. “We give a youth credit every year—youth eight to 16 years of age—write an essay about why they want to be in the sheep industrial and then we pick a winner and they get a $500 credit towards the purchase of ewe at the sale,” explained Braun. This year’s winner was Josie Tish from New Underwood.
After the Ram Show on Thursday afternoon the Newell Golf Course invited all attendees to a round of golf. The weather was a little cold and rainy so turn out was lower than usual according to Braun.
A Consignor Appreciation Lamb Supper was held at the Newell City Hall on Thursday evening.
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