See what the
"Formula"
can do for you!
 |
"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. |