GERALD F. KENNEDY

Gerald was raised in Humboldt, Iowa and developed his passion for sheep as a 4-H and FFA member. He graduated from Iowa State University with a Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1960. He has been a highly respected large animal veterinarian in Pipestone, Minnesota since then.

As a sheep breeder, he began a Suffolk flock in 1972 and he developed a nationally respected flock of 250 brood ewes, based on solid production traits. He achieved national recognition with a successful breeding program based on one of the breeds great stud rams. The progeny of “2245” and his sons and daughters were a moving force in the Suffolk breed during the 1980’s.

Among the accomplishments include the record selling female in the history of the breed ($15,500); the high selling ram at the 1981 Midwest Stud Ram sale; national champion ewe at the 1982 National Show and was also named Supreme Champion Ewe over all breeds at the 1982 North American International Livestock Exposition. He also had numerous State Fair champions. The flock was dispersed in 1986 and for two years he had a commercial herd of Finn Cross and Dorsets.

In 1988 he once again built an elite flock of Rambouillet ewes. This flock, similar to the Suffolks, was built around one of the breeds greatest stud rams, “Summit”. Offspring from “Summit” bloodlines dominated shows across the nation in the 1990’s and continue to be a force today. The flock reached its pinnacle when it exhibited the Reserve Champion ram and ewe, the first place flock and Dr. Kennedy was named Premier Exhibitor at the 1997 National Rambouillet show. The flock was dispersed in 1997 due to his late wife’s death.

He established in 2000 a flock of Dorper sheep, with the purchase of the top three females and the top two rams at the first national Dorper sale in the United States. Currently he has 400 head of percentage and purebred brood ewes and is participating in the “breeding-up” program. He has consigned several of the top selling Dorpers at the past two national sales.

Dr. Kennedy is also involved in many leadership roles. He’s served as a long time advisor to the Pipestone Lamb and Wool program, been a featured speaker at hundreds of educational programs for sheep producers, been a Board member of the National Dorper Sheep Society, served on the Minnesota Suffolk Sheep Assn. Board of Directors, and a member of the Pipestone County fair board to name a few. He’s also hosted numerous 4-H and FFA judging practices and sponsors many educational workshops and youth awards. His involvement with youth included the helping of many young people get started in the sheep business with his guidance and providing them with animals to raise and show for their projects.

His community involvement includes 22 years on the Minnesota West Community and Technical College Governing Board, where he served as Chair for 5 years. He also has served for 18 years on the Pipestone School Board, where he was elected Chairman five years and on the Board of Directors of First Farmers and Merchants Bank in Pipestone.

For his many contributions to the sheep industry, Dr. Kennedy is a worthy inductee to the Minnesota Livestock Hall of Fame.