"I look for three things in my sheep- Back, Bone and Butts. Nowhere in the US will you find sheep that compare to Slack's in those three areas." T. Peeks

      Ask Tom Slack his formula for success and he will reply, “Set your goals high and be willing to work hard to get there.” When Tom graduated from Purdue University in 1976, he had 15 ewes and 12 years experience raising sheep.

By 1979, the flock had grown large enough that Tom initiated the first Formula for Champions Sale held in Warsaw, Indiana. Thirty-three lambs were sold and two of them went on to become Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion at the North American International Livestock Expo in Louisville, KY.

By 1983 the flock had grown to over 100 ewes. Tom showed Champion breeding stock at the Kentucky, Minnesota and Iowa State Fairs. The barn was expanded to over 11,000 square feet. Tom built every gate, corral and pen in the facility. His original hay trolley system continues to fascinate the many visitors to the farm every year. Forty-eight portable lambing pens increase the versatility of the barn.

Sale day

Dorsets and Hampshires were added in 1988, thus forming the foundation for the crossbred, Hamp, Dorset and Suffolk club lamb program. The flock became part of the Voluntary Scrapie Program over 5 years ago. The flock is also tested for both scrapie and spider carrier genes.

A successful ten year junior show career comes to an end for Kelli Slack

We appreciate the opportunity to show you the operation and tell you more about this 4-H project that grew into a full time farm enterprise. Come to Northern Indiana share our enthusiasm for the “complete meat sheep.”

These females are the culmination of 25 years of select breeding for fast growth, maternal traits and structural correctness. 

Where we grow out the lambs.

The Slack flock was one of the first to utilize Artificial Insemination and Embryo Transfer in 1984. Pure Genetics are maintained though the sire semen bank on over 20 rams. By 1991 Slack Suffolks were the largest registry of Suffolks in the National Suffolk Sheep Association, a spot they held seven more times prior to the Suffolk Association consolidations to the United Suffolk Sheep Association.

The ewe flock continued to expand and so did the farm. Pastures and barns are utilized at the old home place and in 1995 a third large barn was added at the corner farm to accommodate the yearling ewes. Tom places emphasis on ewes that milk well, lamb easily and are sound on their feet and legs. Multiple births, length of hindsaddle, and prime legs are also critical to building Tom’s complete sheep.

Where we grow out the yearling ewes

Lambing over three hundred ewes is a full time job for Tom. Every successful operation has great teamwork and the same is true of Slack Suffolks. Thad Leininger, operations manager has been with the flock since 1993. He is an integral part of the club lamb success and growth. Brett Slack works with Tom and Thad to keep the hay business on a roll during the summer during shows and sales. Val Slack contributes marketing, farm records, and sale management to the farm.