BENZ RAMBOUILLET HISTORY

Benz Rambouillet is now in the fifth generation raising sheep in the United States. Mathias and Rosina Benz immigrated to the United States from Russia in 1893.  It is unknown if they raised sheep in the old country, but they immediately started raising sheep upon arrival in the Dakota’s. At one time several thousand head of sheep were raised by Benz’s in Mercer County, North Dakota along the breaks of the Missouri River. It is thought these sheep were a mix of Merino, Lincoln, and various black face breeds. In the 50’s the commercial flock of Friedebert and Emma Benz was primarily Rambouillet and Columbia. Darold and Della Benz added a flock of registered Suffolks in 1968 and Rambouillet in 1972. The commercial ewes were sold in 1983 and the Suffolks were sold in 1986. In 1987 the ewe flock was split between Darold and Della and Matt and Amy. These flocks have been run separately since that time. Justin has a group of ewes that are running with the main flock until he gets his own place.

The first registered Rambouillet ewes were purchased from Lenard Chapman and George Erk. Since then there have been a handful of ewes added to the flock from breeders throughout the United States, but most of the ewes in the current flock trace directly to the original Chapman and Erk ewes. Outside rams have been introduced from several breeders since then.

Since 1972 the primary emphasis has been to raise sound-footed, heavy muscled, good fleeced sheep on a large frame. Our ewes run on native pasture and are wintered with minimal shelter except during lambing. We expect them to thrive in tough conditions. We have off the farm jobs and the ewes often go without being checked for up to 14 hours during lambing. The ewes are expected to lamb and mother up on their own.  If they fail, they get sold to slaughter. The lambs and ewes are fed whole grains and grass and alfalfa hay when conditions dictate.

Currently we lamb a group of ewes in January and in September. In addition to private sales we sell rams and ewes at the National Show and Sale, Hettinger Ram Sale, Newell Ram Sale and occasionally at the Midwest Ram Sale.

ABOUT US

Matt is an operator at Dakota Gasification Company. They make natural gas and anhydrous ammonia from lignite coal. Matt is a past president of the American Rambouillet Sheep Breeders Association and is a director of the North Dakota Lamb and Wool Producers among other activities.

Amy is a middle school teacher and teaches English, science, and technology. She has a master’s degree in Elementary Education and is a National Board certified teacher.  She is also involved in state and local education committees and boards.

 Matt and Amy graduated from NDSU where they both judged on the livestock judging team, Matt also was on the wool, and dairy judging teams, and Amy was on the meats team. We enjoy coaching 4-H and FFA livestock judging teams and have had eight teams win the state contest and go onto national competition.

Justin graduated from NDSU with a degree in Animal Science and Kansas State University with a MS in animal science with emphasis on swine nutrition. He was on the meats and livestock judging teams at NDSU. Currently he is teaching animal science classes and coaching the livestock judging team at Southeast Community College in Beatrice, NE.

Cassie married Spencer Jones in 2007.  They both received their undergrad and MS degrees from Kansas State University. Cassie is a Ph.D. candidate at Iowa State University in swine nutrition and Spencer is Director of Quality Assurance for Iowa Select Farms. Cassie and Spencer have a small Angus herd at their farm in Boone, IA.

Congratulations to Ian Forbes-McGivney, WY on his second place ewe in the 2009-10 Futurity!

Good luck to Darryl Beemer, CO and Kolby Hernandez, TX on their futurity ewes purchased at the 2010 National Show and Sale.

Good luck to Caleb and Tamera Kott, TX on their ewe lambs purchased at the Midwest Ram Sale.

GOOD LUCK & THANKS TO THE FOLLOWING BUYERS OF 2010 STUD RAMS!

Bobb Bros., MN - National Champion Ram

 Goodnight’s Spring Valley Farm, MO – Reserve Champion Ram at Sedalia 

Amy Joslin, OH 

Casey and Kristen Earl, UT  

Darryl Beemer, CO 

RRanch, SD 

Blewes Rambouillet, TX