Shirl Shepherd

My name is Shirl Shepherd. I have lived in Lake Shore, Utah, a small farming community just four miles west of Spanish Fork, all of my life. My family’s heritage in the sheep ranching industry goes back four generations on both my mother and fathers’ side of the family. I feel very blessed to have been involved in sheep production from the time I was a knee high child standing at the coattails of my father ,till now as I mentor my own children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. I have felt great pride knowing that my father Reed Shepherd, along with Angel Caras, Bye Killian, Charlie Allred, Mark Bradford, and the local FFA advisor Farrel Olson, were instrumental in organizing and spearheading the first Utah Ram Sale in Spanish Fork. What began as a small meeting at the city park, is now one of the most successful ram sales in the nation. There was never a time I doubted that I would follow in my Dad’s footsteps. He was a great mentor and role model for me. He had a lot of great wisdom, and there are times that I wish he were still here to answer a question or two and just give valuable advice.

I have become acquainted with the finest sheepmen across the country and have the blessing and opportunity of working with all four of my sons as well as my grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Brent, Layne, Joel and J.D, together with their families, have all put together their own flocks. We live close to one another, and that makes it possible to work, plan, and prepare for the ram sales together, each offering a helping hand when needed, whether it be lambing, feeding, or anything that entails our year-to-year preparation. I appreciate the friends, consignors, buyers, and sheepmen I have become acquainted with. Some of those friends have become just like family to us. Our families have intertwined as members of the sheep industry, and we have become closely knit with one another. We cherish these relationships.

With careful consideration on our breeding program we have instilled proven, powerful genetics that ensure fast growth in lamb crops as well as rams that maintain longevity of life. We take great pride in the rams that we distribute across the country and continue to try and improve these qualities when opportunity presents itself. I can sincerely say that I enjoy caring for and ensuring quality genetics within the herd, and taking quality rams to the sales. I also believe that the greatest crop we will ever raise, are really not the sheep, but the generation that follows us. Our family would like to wish all of you good health, success, and happiness. We hope to see you at the Utah Ram Sale.

Written By: Shirl Shepherd
Lake Shore, Utah