South Dakota Colony Awarded for Sheep Production

TABOR, S.D. (AP) — A Hutterite colony in South Dakota has been lauded for its progressive style of sheep production.

The Yankton Press & Dakotan reports that the South Dakota Master Lamb Producers Association recently named the Bon Homme Colony top lamb-to-finish producer for the state in 2017. The colony was recognized for exceptional production and management practices in the lamb-to-finish category.

The colony near Tabor has embraced modern methods for its sheep production despite being the oldest colony in the state.

The colony operation consists of 1,000 ewes and maintains high quality standards, according to the association. The finished lambs are sold under packer contract, which includes financial incentives.

The association also says the colony utilizes electronic record-keeping and data analysis.

Hutterites are a religious group that grew out of the Reformation similar to Mennonites.