Thanks for being here to look over the sale.  This will probably be the hardest opening sale statement I write.  Bill got started with sheep when he was 12 and never looked back.  He loved everything about raising sheep from lambing to visiting with people at shows and sales.  I never met a guy with so much devotion and excitement about sheep. These sheep were his pride and joy.  This group of sheep is wickedly exciting.  Bill was so intentional and focused on breeding for structure, length, and without a doubt, breed character.  He wanted them to look like Montadales, to be able to run on grass all summer and to look uniformed in the pen.  Devon and I have gone through this set of sheep and culled out anything that worried us.  This is a solid group of brood ewes that have worked extremely well.  We are treating this sale as a dispersal, even though it’s called a reduction sale.  Bill’s daughter Beth has decided to purchase 15 brood ewes and carry on her dad’s legacy.  The brood ewes sell exposed on this sale.  I did my best to back track on scrapie results.  Bill has been very selective in using bucks with R’s.  As you look through the sale, there are several that are guaranteed QR or better.  These brood ewes sell in no specific order.  As far as delivery, we will do our best to assist you.  We are planning on a trailer for delivery to Louisville or call with any other ideas.  We will do our best to help.  Delivery will be at the buyer’s expense.  And, you can always pick them up at the farm.  Everyone is welcome to come take a look at these sheep this week or even on sale day.  Just contact Devon or me to set up a time.  The Poppen Farm is a little piece of heaven on earth and the barn doors are always open.  Feel free to contact Devon at 605/203-1149 or me, Dylan, at 320/420-5354. Feel free to call with any questions about these sheep; we will do our best to help you.  Big Shout-Out to the Poppen Family and Bill for believing in and entrusting Devon and me.  Devon has helped for over 30 years and I have been working with Bill for 15 years.  What an honor it has been to work for such an incredible man and family.  Thank you and God Bless.