The pool was organized in 2007 in response to an ongoing decline in prices paid to Klamath Basin lamb producers using the local livestock auction.  By coordinating our efforts and joining together the Pool arranged for three truckloads of lambs to be shipped out of the Klamath Basin to the Willamette Valley.  We sold the lambs, both fats and feeders to Tony Wahl for the then current market price ranging around .85 to .91 cwt.

In 2007 the Pool consisted of 16 producers who sold 821 lambs for approximately $72,000 on the three truckloads.   There was still room available on two of the three truckloads. It is hoped that the number of producers and lambs will increase in 2008 allowing, at least, for the trucks to leave fully loaded, better utilizing high price fuel.  At best, if we can increase participation we can add more dates for pickup, allowing producers to market their lambs when it is most effective for their operation. 

™  How It Works  ˜

The pool gets information from producers as to the number of lambs involved and when they want to ship.  We arrange a pickup date when there's a sufficient number of lambs to warrant a truck coming over.  We meet the truck at Mac's Store, (on Hwy 39, about 5 miles south of Klamath Falls) each producer scales heavy, unloads their lambs onto the buyers trailer then scales for light weight.  We try to schedule so that no one has to wait very long to load and those coming the farthest can load later.  We can also load at the ranch location if there are around 100 or more head and easy access for a large semi.  Last year it seemed if each producer helped the person in front of them get their lambs unloaded and on the truck we had plenty of help.  All the shippers information and a copy of the weight slip is given at loading.  The information is given to the buyer and checks are processed and mailed to the producer.  If lambs are not given an overnight stand (no food or water) there will be a shrink percentage, usually between 2-4%.