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Local News

Monday, March 15, 2010

Raising sheep is 'in the blood' for Inbody family
By JIM MAURER

Staff Writer

Dave and Donna Inbody and their four children do not wait for sleep to count sheep.

They are involved with the woolly animals every day, raising five varieties of sheep mainly for breeding purposes, including Columbia, Suffolk, Dorper, Horned Dorset and Rambouillet.

They have clients across the country and in Mexico, Dave Inbody said during a recent visit to the farm on Hancock County 12, south of Rawson.

There are about a dozen sheep farms in Hancock County, agriculture officials say. With about 150 animals total, the Inbodys' is the largest.

The daily routine for the family begins by waking up at 5 a.m. or 5:30 a.m. to feed and water the animals, and replace bedding material. They check the sheep again in the evening.

The family has the largest Rambouillet flock east of the Mississippi River, Dave Inbody said, with about 85 head. But some flocks in the western United States have thousands of sheep.

The Inbodys sell sheep for breeding purposes to buyers who want to enlarge or improve their own flocks.

Male sheep, called rams, are often sold and shipped west, mainly to Utah, Wyoming and Montana, Dave Inbody said. The family keeps the females, called ewes.

The family also sells sheep to buyers who plan to cook and eat them. The Muslim community in the Detroit area provides a market for lamb, Dave Inbody said.

Wool, sheared from the animals in the spring, is sold to the Mid-States Wool Growers Cooperative Association's warehouse in Canal Winchester, or to China and India, Dave Inbody said.

"Spring lambing" has been under way for weeks; more than 65 lambs have been born so far this year. There will be a fall "lambing" time, too.

The price of feed is high, Dave Inbody said. Raising sheep is like other livestock or grain farming; it is hard to make a living without outside income.

Dave and Donna Inbody and their three sons, Charles, 20, Luther, 19, and Mark, 16, all have jobs off the farm. Daughter Megan, 6, is waiting her turn.

The family travels to livestock competitions from July to November and has won numerous awards. Last fall they had a grand champion Rambouillet at the North American International Livestock Exposition in Louisville, Ky.

Dave Inbody said his family has been raising sheep in the Mount Cory area since the early 1920s. Donna Inbody, raised in Allen County, has been involved with sheep since she was 8 years old. They met at the Hancock County Fair.

"It's in the blood, or it isn't," he said. "I'm passionate about the sheep industry."

He is a member of state and national boards.

When the Inbodys' sheep are out in pastures, they are not alone. Llamas are with the sheep to protect the flocks from coyotes and other predators. The llamas' claw-like hoofs can kill predators.

The couple's three sons have been involved in the operation since they were small.

"It's a great way to raise kids and teach them responsibility," Dave Inbody said.

Maurer: 419-427-8420,

Send an e-mail to Jim Maurer


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1 Comment

Terri Line wrote:
Raising sheep is 'in the blood' for Inbody family.
“ I loved your piece on Monday. Being born and raised on the farm, it's great to read that families are still true to thier up bringing! ”
Monday, March 15, 2010 8:11:59 PM
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Benton Ridge Shooting

This video, released by the Hancock County Prosecutor's Office, shows the shooting of a Lima man who led authorities on a three-county chase ending Aug.24 in Benton Ridge. Be cautioned, the video contains graphic content.
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News Briefs Firefighters discover 20 marijuana plants in house
After fighting a house fire early Monday at 815 Howard St., firefighters found 20 marijuana plants in the residence.

"They ran across it and called us," said police Sgt. Justin Hendren with the Hancock County METRICH Drug Enforcement Unit.

Police seized all 20 plants, and Hendren said charges are pending.

High-powered growing lights, fans, and a box filled with dried marijuana were also found in the house, according to a police report.

Investigators said an electrical short started the fire before 3 a.m. Monday.

The blaze caused an estimated $12,000 in damage to the residence, owned by Amanda Crawford. No one was injured, according to the Findlay Fire Department.

Carey announces holiday closing
CAREY -- Carey offices, including administrative, income tax and utilities, electric, wastewater treatment plant, and public works, will be closed Monday in observance of Labor Day.

The curbside recycling program will be held Tuesday through Thursday, Sept. 7-9.

Findlay trooper named sergeant
Trooper Jacob L. Fletcher, assigned to the Findlay post of the State Highway Patrol, was promoted to sergeant Wednesday by Patrol Superintendent Col. David Dicken.

With the promotion, Fletcher will stay at the Findlay post and serve as an assistant post commander, according to the patrol.

Fletcher began his patrol career in 2002 after graduating from the 139th Academy class and has been assigned to the Findlay post since.

Owens announces holiday schedule
The Toledo and Findlay campuses of Owens Community College will be closed Saturday through Monday for the Labor Day holiday.

There will be no classes and the college offices will be closed.

Classes will resume and offices will open again on Tuesday.

Holiday changes ad deadlines
The Courier won't be published on Monday, in observance of the Labor Day holiday.

Because of the holiday, some advertising deadlines have been moved up this week:

Black and white display advertising for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by noon Friday. Display advertising for Wednesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Color display advertising for the Thursday, Sept. 9 newspaper must be placed by Friday.

Classified advertising and City and Country advertising for Saturday's newspaper must be placed by 2 p.m. Friday. Classified ads for Tuesday's newspaper must be placed by 2:30 p.m. Friday.

Courier business and advertising offices will close at 3 p.m. Friday for the holiday.