Buckham Named Top Club Lamb Producer
Published: Friday, January 14, 2022
Tom Buckham of Kalamazoo was honored at the Michigan Shepherd's Weekend when he received the Club Lamb Producer of the Year Award. Tom manages the club lamb segment of the family business and marks the family's third generation to be honored by the association as a producer of the year. He is the fifth generation to be farming in Kalamazoo County.
"This (raising sheep) is something at a very young age that I felt and realized I was meant to do," Tom said. "A lot of days, I wonder why me, but I also wonder how lucky I am. I am lucky to be a part of a generational thing that is still rolling. It's not lost on me how special this opportunity I have is, and how hard it is to keep that rolling."
David Scales presented the award to his friend and said, "Tom takes honesty and integrity to the highest level. He remains committed to the common good will of people in the sheep industry."
The flock consists of Shropshire, Hampshire and some commercial ewes, which are frequent recipients in the embryo transfer program. Club and show lambs are the flock focus, and Buckham genetics are finding show ring success in many states. In 2021, division or reserve division state fair winners in Ohio, Kansas, Virginia, Nebraska and Michigan state fairs were from the Buckham flock.
"These lambs all came out of a home-bred ram named Wildside," he said. "I remember moving him from pen to pen as a lamb."
The farm has bred a lamb that placed in the top five at Michigan Livestock Expo four out of the last five years.
"I wish it were an itch I didn't have to scratch so bad, but I really want to win on the home field. We've sold lambs that have won on bigger more competitive platforms but winning in your own back yard really means something," Tom said.
Last year, Tom allowed a friend to take what he calls his unicorn ewe on the show circuit.
"Genetically she has everything right and it's hard to fault her," Tom said.
She earned grand or reserve championships nine
times during the year, including reserve champion Hampshire ewe at the San Antonio stock show.
"Had she won grand, that would have really been rocket fuel for our breeding program." She was flushed and bred back and will hold a special position in the donor group from now on.
"She is a special sheep."
Reluctant to leave the farm and a barn full of ewes ready to lamb, Tom was undecided about attending the award celebration on a frigid Saturday night when lambs were due at any time. His parents encouraged him to accept his award in person and ultimately, he is glad he attended.
"I remember running around the pool and pizza party as a kid at shepherds' weekend, and now people that knew me as a child have bought rams from me. I really have a hard time putting that into words," he reflects.
"I guess it's validation. People can go anywhere to buy. They bought from Grandpa and Uncle Fred because of who they were. They are all legends and heroes of mine. To be held anywhere near the same regard has no words. I love what I do."
Tom and his wife Katelin have a son, Landon, who is one-and-a-half years old.
"He loves to go to the barn and knows what sound a sheep makes."
Tom is the sixth generation of Buckhams operating the farm and is the only member of the generation moving forward to continue the sheep business.
"I know Grandpa and Uncle Fred would be proud," Tom said. "I love being able to do this with my dad; it is the most special and meaningful thing"
Return to Top of Page