The Russell Sheep Company’s story started a long time ago when Diane, at age 3, was given two orphan lambs. Those two lambs became a small flock which supplied a great 4-H project that lasted 10 years. When Paul and Diane married, she joined Paul’s farming operation, and the sheep came along as well. Over the past thirty years, the flock has grown as large as 170 ewes, and downsized to as few as 8 ewes. It was at that point that youngest son Jeremy brought new energy to the operation when he decided (after his 5th year of 4-H) that sheep were “his thing” and that we should bring some first rate genetics into the flock and increase our numbers.

We had been breeding Suffolk sheep for 30 years, and realized the breed had gone in two different directions. Therefore we had to determine what the purpose of our flock would be, and that would dictate what genetics we wanted. In our minds, the Suffolk breed is first and foremost a meat animal. Are they big? Sure they are! But not so big that frame overtakes muscling. In 2004 we purchased two rams from Tom Slack and we have since added a third.The results have been impressive. Our ewes were already plenty tall (for our liking) but these rams added a dimension of thick muscling down a long, straight back, and a meaty hind-saddle. In 2009 we had the opportunity to purchase the Phil Hofman flock.  Along with doubling our numbers, this fine set of ewes and rams matched up beautifully with ours.  In 2010 we added an outstanding ram from Schminke genetics.  He has added a quality punch to our crossbred club lambs. Today our 105 ewes reflect the kind of quality that we look for in the production of meat-type Suffolk sheep and club lambs.

Looking to the future, we hope to increase our numbers to well over150 ewes during the next few years. We have started selling lamb at local farmer’s markets, and the response has been great. There is a demand for quality lamb cuts, and we are enjoying providing a variety of lamb products to our customers. Jeremy is currenty a student at Purdue University's School of Agriculture.  So we're keeping the flock going and growing, so that when comes he back home with his agricultural degree, we will have the enterprise ready for him to take the reins.

We hope each year to see the cream of the crop (lamb crop - that is) compete in the show ring. The past few years we have been honored to stand at the top of the class at the Indiana State Fair in the slick sheared Suffolk ewe classes. 2009 was our first time to show at NAILE. What an honor to win the slick sheared Suffolk ram class, and to place in the 2 and 3 slots with our ewes. It's these genetics throughout our flock that go on to produce stylish and thick wethers. As the Suffolk breed evolves, it is our belief that the focus needs to remain on meat, and structural correctness. We believe that our Suffolk sheep will satisfy the breeder, the show-ring participant, and the consumer.