Bill Shultz is a third-generation sheep producer from De Graff, Ohio. Bill and his wife Susan currently operate Bunker Hill Farm where their Suffolk flock has been enrolled in the National Sheep Improvement Program (NSIP) for the past 18 years concentrating on improving the terminal sire traits of growth and muscle. Bill served as President of the Ohio Sheep Improvement Association and has been active as a producer leader in the American Sheep Producers Council, American Sheep Industry (ASI), NSIP, and Sheep Genetics USA.
Rusty Burgett of Perry, Iowa serves as the Executive Director for the National SheepImprovement Program where he is responsible for the day-to-day operations of NSIP and
advancing the program for sheep producers nation-wide. He has been with NSIP for 7 years helping producers advance their flocks through genetic selection. Rusty also operates a
commercial Polypay flock focusing on a low-input production system coupled with custom targeted grazing. He also serves as a co-chair for the American Sheep Industry Association’s Genetic Stakeholders committee and is on the board of directors for the Iowa Sheep Industry Association. Previously, Rusty managed research and teaching flocks for Iowa State University and University of Wisconsin-Spooner Agricultural Research Station where he also was able to
conduct research and producer outreach. His background in ruminant nutrition, meat science/growth and development as well as breeding and genetics helps him to assist producers regardless of flock size, goals or markets.
Tom Boyer is a 4 th generation sheep producer that has raised seedstock Rambouillets since 1965. In recent years Boyer Rambouillet was merged into Legacy Sheep Company which includes Casey & Kristan
Earl. Tom has long had a passion for good sheep and particularly for programs, groups and research that advances sheep production. He has served as President of the Utah Wool Growers and Co-chair of Genetic Stakeholders [ASI] with Dr. Ron Lewis. Tom is also an Accredited Farm/Ranch Manager, Agricultural Consultant and Rural Appraiser with The American Society of Farm Managers and Rural Appraisers. He has managed and appraised farms and ranches throughout the western United States and consulted on agricultural operations including sheep operations nationally and internationally.
Boner is a past president of the Wyoming Wool Growers Association who previously served as the Region VII director to the ASI Executive Board. In that capacity he represented Idaho, Montana and Wyoming within the association. He left that position in 2019 when he was elected secretary/treasurer of ASI and now serves as vice president.
A sheep and cattle producer in Glenrock, Wyoming, Boner previously was chairman of the Mountain States Lamb Cooperative and has worked tirelessly for the sheep industry as a part of ASI’s Wool Council, Lamb Council and Let’s Grow Committee.
A fifth-generation sheep rancher from Montana, Lehfeldt’s family has been involved in the sheep industry for 135 years. Lehfeldt has served on ASI’s Wool Council and is a director for the Montana Wool Growers Association. In addition, he served on the American Lamb Board and has been the sheep industry representative to the National Grazing Lands Coalition.