Montadale Sheep Breeders Association
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Montadale Sheep Breeders Association
Breed Information

 

 

Montadales’ beauty transcends the show ring. Although bright-white, fitted Montadales are really pretty in the show ring.
Nothing beats looking out across the pasture at your own flock of Montadales. Not only are they elegant, they live up to the standards
of hardiness and maternal instinct that our founding breeders insisted upon.
-Abilene Gatson, 2014-2015 Youth Ambassador

   
History of the Montadale Breed

The history of the Montadale breed of sheep dates back to over half a century and is one of the most amazing success stories in modern sheep-breeding history. While other breeds have been developed in the United States, Montadales are the only breed to have been developed by private enterprise.

Much of the credit for the development of the breed goes to E.H. Mattingly, a well- known commercial lamb buyer who was obsessed with the idea of producing the ideal sheep. Early in his youth, Mattingly had been advised that if he could bring together the qualities of the big western white-faced sheep and the popular mutton characteristics of the Midwestern sheep, he would have the perfect breed.

Many breed combinations were crossed throughout the years, but it wasn’t until 1932 when he purchased the first Columbia ram to go east of the Mississippi River to cross on his Purebred Cheviot ewes that provided Mattingly proof that his mission was on target.

In order to find the most profitable combination, the sire and dam of the two parent breeds were eventually reversed, with testing being conducted for several years such as growth and development of the lambs, the number of lambs per ewe, lamb weights and fleece weight and grade. The records clearly proved that the best results were from this cross.

With adoption of the Columbia ewe and the Cheviot ram as the foundation of the Montadale breed, the next step was to establish a “Standard of Excellence” or the blueprint for all future breeders to use as a guideline for breeding of this ideal dual-purpose sheep.

The standard had eight points:

  1. Small head - to reduce or eliminate lambing trouble
  2. Open face - to prevent wool blindness
  3. Clean legs - prevents foreign objects from damaging fleece and carcass
  4. Choice mutton quality - desired by both packer and consumer
  5. Heavy fleece - premium quality (medium blood)-wool free of black fibers
  6. Prolific - a breed that would produce a high percentage of lambs
  7. Good mothers - a sheep that would claim its young
  8. Strong, healthy, and vigorous - a sheep with style and alertness

Nine more years of selective culling and line breeding produced a sheep which consistently met
he desired standard. E.H. Mattingly’s dream was realized, and although still in its infancy, the Montadale breed was officially established.

In 1945, the Montadale Sheep Breeders Association was founded with five charter members; E.H. Mattingly becoming the first Executive Secretary and Anne Gregory the Secretary-Treasurer. By 1946, there were over 110 members with approximately 5,500 head throughout 16 states. However, it wasn’t until February 1947 that the Association was officially incorporated after securing a charter from the State of Missouri. The establishment of the first National Montadale Show and Sale soon followed in July 1947 and was held in Montgomery City, Missouri, in conjunction with the local county fair.

EH Mattingly
Champion Ewe
E. H. Mattingly
Founder of the Montadale Breed
Executive Secretary 1946-1970

Champion Ewe
First National Show & Sale
Exhibited by W.J. Auchly
Montgomery City, Missouri

   
Breed Standards
Click Here for Downloadable/Printable Breed Standards
Breed Standards

   

Bylaws of the Montadale Sheep Breeders Association
Click to view pdf version
Amended June 2008

Article I. Name
The organization shall be known as the Montadale Sheep Breeders’ Association (MSBA) and shall be incorporated in accordance with prevailing laws at the time of organization.

Article II. Meetings
The annual membership meeting shall be held in conjunction with the national convention show and sale each June. The Annual Board of Directors meeting shall also be held in conjunction with the national convention show and sale. Special membership meetings or Board of Directors’ meetings may be called by the Executive Committee

Article III. Board of Directors
The Board of Directors shall consist of 12 elected directors, the President of the National Junior Endowment Fund and up to 3 At-Large Directors for a maximum of 16 members. Directors shall be elected for three-year terms with one third elected each year. Directors may be re-elected without limits on the number of terms that they may serve. Directors must be currently producing and have produced Montadales for a period of five years. Two directors will be elected from each of the following Districts:

              District I - States with zip codes beginning with 1, 2, or 3
              District II - States with zip codes beginning with 4
              District III - States with zip codes beginning with 5
              District IV - Illinois
              District V - States with zip codes beginning with 6 (except Illinois) and 7
              District VI - States with zip codes beginning with 8 and 9

These directors are elected by the paid senior members of the national association in their respective districts. Ballots are sent out by U.S. Mail and the returned to the association office. The ballots remain sealed until the Semi-Annual Board meeting at which time they are opened in the presence of the attending Board members. At its discretion, the Board may elect one (1) At-Large Director from up to three (3) different districts for a maximum of three (3) At-Large Directors. The Board of Directors shall have the power to decide the policies and operational direction of the Association. In addition, the Board shall elect the officers of the Association, hire and set the salary of the executive Secretary, and approve the operating budget for the Association. The Board shall work for the improvement and promotion of the Montadale breed. The Board may name Honorary Directors to recognize individuals who have provided long-term service to the Association.

Article IV. Officers
The officers of the Association shall include: President, Vice President and Executive Secretary. The President and Vice-President shall be elected by the Board to serve a one-year term for a maximum of two consecutive terms. The Vice President will succeed to the office of President in the case of a vacancy in the office. The Executive Secretary shall be an employee of the Association contracted by the Board. There shall be no limit on the length of service. The President shall conduct and be responsible for all meetings of the Association. The Vice-President shall serve as the Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee and fulfill the duties of the President when he is absent and unable to act. The Executive Secretary shall be the custodian of all funds of the Association and keep an accurate record of all receipts and disbursements; shall make written records of the proceedings of each Association meeting; and be in full charge of all notices, correspondences, and other administrative duties of the Association. The Executive Committee shall consist of the President, Vice-President, immediate Past-President if available, Executive Secretary, and additional Directors elected by the Board to comprise a five-member committee. The Executive Committee may make procedural decisions between annual meetings of the Board or may call for a poll of the full Board if they feel the issue merits full Board consideration.

Article V. Vacancies
In the event any officer or director is unable to serve, or resigns for any reason, the vacancy shall be filled in the same manner that the position was originally filled.

Article VI. Removal of Directors or Officers
Any director or officer who fails to attend two consecutive meetings of the Board of Directors without a proxy will be removed from office and the position will be filled in accordance with Article V. Any director or officer may be removed from his respective office if he shall be deemed guilty of misconduct. A majority of the Board, at a special meeting called for this purpose, shall determine by vote the innocence or guilt of any officer or director charged with misconduct. The individual so charged shall be given the opportunity to hear the charges and to respond before such a vote may occur.

Article VII. Official Documents
All written documents including deeds, mortgages, drafts, amendments, certificates and other papers executed by or in the name of the Association, shall be signed by the President and countersigned by the Executive secretary, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors.

Article VIII. Revenues and Dues
The Association shall be authorized to charge each member an annual membership fee, the amount thereof to be determined by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors shall also set the fees to be charged for registration and transfer of animals registered with the Association. All fees charged shall be collected by the Executive Secretary and held in the name of the Association.

Article IX Expenses
Monies received by the Association shall be expended in accordance with a budget approved annually by the Board of Directors. Adjustments in excess of 10% in any one account may be made by the Executive Committee.

Article X. Committees
The Board of Directors may appoint standing committees to oversee major operations within the Association. Such committees shall include National Show & Sale, National magazine, Nominations and Ways and Means. Special Ad Hoc Committees may be appointed by the Executive Committee as needed.

Kendra Fleck
• EXECUTIVE SECRETARY •
47289 Highway 324, Brookings, SD 57006
Cell 814-441-0981 | Office 605-693-2161 | Email montadaleorg@yahoo.com
Montadale Sheep Breeders Association
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