Congratulations to Faith Gasvoda, of Big Sandy, MT, whose ram achieved Certified Columbia Ram status based on his performance at North Dakota State University–Hettinger Ram Test.
Faith has christened her newly certified ram "Jumanji," a Zulu word meaning "many effects." Jumanji is a single, QR, March-born yearling sired by Gibbs 7-1, a ram that Faith purchased in 2017 at the MT Columbia Show and Sale in Lewistown. He is out of a Timber Coulee ewe that Faith purchased at the 2020 MT Columbia Show and Sale in Lewistown. On test, Jumanji had an Average Daily Gain of .80 pounds, a ribeye area of 1.4 square inches/100# of body weight, a fleece fiber diameter of 26.51 microns, an adjusted staple length of 4.83 inches, and top scores of 1.0 for face and belly wool. These data represent dual-purpose performance in weight gain, carcass traits, and wool quality for which Columbia Sheep are known. Of note: Faith is a first time consignor to ram testing. She plans to consign Jumanji to the Production Ram class at the Columbia National Show and Sale in Cheyenne, WY in June.
Faith got her start with sheep as a 2017 recipient of a starter
flock of Columbia ewes donated by members of the MT Columbia Sheep Breeders Association. Since that time, she has become a role model and mentor for junior members of the MT Association and is now embracing opportunities for involvement at the national level. She will graduate in May, 2022 with an Associate's Degree in Agricultural Technology from MT State University – Northern. During her university years, Faith worked 20 hours per week for the Northern Agricultural Research Center – Havre. During spring break, when her classmates might be partying on Florida beaches, Faith pulled 12 hour night-calving shifts at the research center. When asked if she likes school, Faith didn't hesitate, "Not really. I'd rather be outside with my animals."
In keeping with that straight-forward admission, Faith plans to return to her family's cow/calf and dryland grain operation after graduation. Surely she understands what will be demanded, for she runs the baler during summer haying season and works with her grandmother to prepare and deliver meals to the crew during grain harvest. Beyond such seasonal responsibilities, Faith has plans to return sheep to her family's operation. Her father used to run sheep, and she envisions building a flock of 60 registered Columbia ewes. Surely Faith Gasvoda's work ethic and a "go git 'em" spirit suggest that Columbia Sheep will be integral to her family's operation going forward. Congratulations Faith!
