Buchholz, Ebert Elected to ASI Executive Board

• March 2015
  • President’s Notes
  • Nearly 600 Participated in ASI Convention to Mark 150th Anniversary
  • Smith: Animal Ag Needs to Protect Itself
  • ASI Awards: Dedication to Sheep Industry
  • Avalos Urges ASI to Support Livestock Reporting
  • Wool Council Updated on Programs
  • Wool Excellence: Mehta, Kott Honored for Service to Industry
  • Market Report
  • H-2A ‘Special Procedures’ Vital to Industry
  • Breed Research Reported to PERC
  • Legislative Council Shifts Spring D.C. Trip
  • Let’s Grow Committee Begins to Build
  • Pfliger Takes Reins as ASI President
  • Buchholz, Ebert Elected to ASI Executive Board
  • Stakeholder Committee Formed to Draft Sheep Station Defense
  • Animal Health Updated on Bighorns, Scrapie
  • Emerging Entrepreneurs Gain Momentum
  • Sheep News Briefs
  • Classified Ads

ASI Region IV and Region V each have new representatives on the Executive Board following elections held during the annual convention in Reno.

Bob Buchholz, of Eldorado, Texas, was elected to represent Region V, while Jeff Ebert, of St. George, Kansas, was elected to represent Region IV .

“I am honored to serve,” commented Buchholz. “I truly appreciate the confidence my fellow ranchers have in me and I will do my best to represent Texas in any affairs that come before the ASI executive board.”

As a third generation rancher, Buchholz runs cattle and meat goats on ranches in several Central and Southwestern counties in Texas. Sheep were part of the operation prior to the 2011 drought. Range fires and adverse weather conditions required him to sell his fine wool flock and a large percentage of his other livestock. Raising and selling livestock protection dogs is also a part of his business.

To get his start in ranching, Buchholz made a living riding colts and doing day labor before leasing ranches to run livestock with his brother. The recent years of drought in Texas have resulted in an all-hands-on-deck approach to ranching for the Buchholz family. His wife Mary and their three sons – Robert, Dalton and Franklin – have assisted with the consuming chores of feeding, moving and working the livestock.

In addition to being appointed to the ASI executive board, Buchholz is the current president of the Texas Sheep and Goat Raisers’ Association (TSGRA), president of the Schleicher Country Predator Association, director on the Mohair Council, chair of the TSGRA Meat Goat Committee and director on the American Goat Federation.

Ebert, who labels himself a “lifelong sheep man,” said he is excited to become involved on the ASI Board representing Region IV, which includes Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri, Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and North Dakota.

“I was literally born into it – my older brothers began raising sheep before I was born,” said Ebert. “We bred our first champion lamb in 1962. Through the years we have bred Grand Champion or Reserve Grand Champion Market Lambs at a number of state fairs.”

Ebert, who currently has 125 ewes on his farm, raises mostly registered sheep of four different breeds. He was hired as executive secretary of the American Hampshire Sheep Association. His family sells commercial rams and club lambs and has sold sheep into over 30 states and three foreign countries. His sheep operation benefits from the help of his wife, Kerri, and their two adult children, Monica and Christine.

His goal as a member of the ASI Board of Directors is to help unite his fellow sheep men.