North American Wensleydale Sheep Association

Minutes of the Board Meeting
of the
North American Wensleydale Sheep Association
June 24, 2004
held at
Black Sheep Gathering
Lane County Fairgrounds, Eugene OR

Present: Myrtle Dow, Sherry Carlson, Andrea Szabo, Barbara Burrows, Martin Dally, Sandi Hanson. Directors-elect present: Joanie Livermore, Karen Tipple.

2005 Annual Meeting
Sandi Hanson made a motion to hold the 2005 annual meeting at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival in May 2005. Martin Dally seconded the motion that passed unanimously. Martin suggested that we place an ad in the MSWF catalog as well as the Michigan Fiber Festival catalog.

Martin suggested requesting a Wensleydale sheep class as well as one in the wool show. After much discussion, the board agreed that there were not enough high percentage animals in the registry to justify this yet. Sherry Carlson said that she was still seeing variations in fleece character even among the third generation (87%) animals that she has. Martin said that variation could conceivably be possible even when we reach purebred. However, he cautioned that any “throwback” (more typical of the foundation breed than of Wensleydale) purebred American Wensleydale ram should never be used for breeding, although throwback ewes could be retained but should be bred via LAI to 100% Wensleydale.

Joanie Livermore asked if there were enough Wensleydale rams available to maintain genetic diversity. Martin explained that in addition to having the genetics of 8 - 10 rams in the U.S., the foundation ewe base is extremely diverse so there should be no problem.

Colored Sheep
Sherry announced that Black Pines Sheep recently had a colored lamb that was moorit (brown) in color. While this color has not been mentioned in U.K. literature, the board agreed that having the moorit gene in the American Wensleydale is acceptable.

Election of Officers
This is a unique year in that we are adjusting to a calendar-year fiscal year and so current officers will retain their offices until December 31. The board elected officers who will take office January 1, 2005.

President : Barbara Burrows
Nominated by Sherry Carlson, second by Martin Dally, unanimous ballot cast

Vice-President : Joanie Livermore
Nominated by Martin Dally, second by Myrtle Dow, unanimous ballot cast

Secretary : Sherry Carlson
Nominated by Sandi Hanson, second by Martin Dally, unanimous ballot cast

Treasurer : Sandi Hanson
Nominated by Sherry Carlson, second by Barbara Burrows, unanimous ballot cast