Proven Genetics: The Merck family supplies the country with quality club lambs

Carl and Crystal Menck grew up in the Bridger Valley, settling down in the town of Mountain View to raise their family and build their legendary operation, Menck Club Lambs.

The couple started the flock in 2000 with only five ewes and one buck, purchased from Long Club Lambs in Vernal, Utah. 

Crystal, a lifelong advocate for club lambs, started showing when she was nine years old.

As a former member of 4-H and FFA, Crystal knows the hard work and dedication it takes to compete in the show ring, and she has been teaching the next generation of fair contenders her lifelong skills.

“Carl and I have had the opportunity to watch our five children show club lambs we’ve raised, and now three of our grandchildren are showing them – with many more to come,” Crystal states. 

She adds, “We enjoy helping and getting to know youth from all over the county and watching them succeed while learning from their club lamb projects.”

“Our goal with Menck Club Lambs has always been to try and provide a high-quality club lamb to compete at any fair,” she continues. 

Crystal and her family share as much knowledge as possible to help youth succeed with their projects, providing free show clinics during the summer, as well as comprehensive feed plans for lambs bought off of their place. 

Expanding operations

Menck Club Lambs quickly expanded, adding a genetics program with stock from Burch Club Lambs in Casper and Middlesworth Club Lambs in Fremont, Iowa. 

Currently, they are lambing out of a flock of 45 and have added some top genetics in the last several years by using laparoscopic artificial insemination.

“Since starting in 2000, we have built a heated lambing barn with living quarters where the grandkids love to hang out and help with lambing,” Crystal shares. “Every year, all of the sleepless nights waiting for babies to be born makes it worthwhile when we watch the youth work hard and grow as an individual.” 

Crystal continues, “Watching them achieve their goals and seeing them smile when their goals are reached is why we do it.”

The Uinta County family prides itself on building a solid foundation with functional and proven genetics, which has produced many champions. 

“Creating a solid foundation carries over into our relationships with our customers. Our objective is not just to sell them a sheep, but to help them achieve their goals,” she continues. “Whether it’s in the show ring or adding to their own program, we are committed to seeing them succeed.”

Selling winning lambs

The Mencks hold a sale each year at the end of March, which includes either breakfast or lunch, in their lambing barn and runs as a silent auction.

“So, if you get outbid on your first-choice lamb, you always have the option to drop to your second or third choice,” Crystal states.

The Menck family has raised several winning lambs, including the grand and reserve champion in Uinta, Sublette, Sweetwater and Campbell county fairs. 

“We have had multiple supreme ewes at Wyoming State Fair (WSF) and several WSF Jackpot Champions as well,” she adds.

Menck Club Lambs has also brought home titles of WSF Grand and Reserve Champion Showmen throughout the years. 

“A highlight for us was when our daughter Alli Menck won reserve champion market lamb at the WSF several years back with one we raised right here at Menck Club Lambs,” Crystal concludes.

For more information on Menck Club Lambs, visit @MenckClubLambs on Facebook.

Melissa Anderson is the editor of the Wyoming Livestock Roundup. Send comments on this article to roundup@wylr.net.