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The Shropshire Breed
Silvertop in the 40's
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The Turn of the Century
The Shropshire Breed
 
Joe Steichen, founder of Silvertop Farm in Ponca City, Oklahoma, thoroughly loved his sheep and particularly promoting the Shropshire breed.  Joe bred Shropshire sheep for over 70 years. 
 
These pictures chronicle his journey with the changing breed. 
 
 
 
The Early Years - Lots of Wool and Short Legs
  
 
 
 
 
The beginning of Joe Steichen's love of Shropshire sheep began when his father purchased an initial flock in 1937 from John Rice, a Ponca City farmer.  John Steichen is shown at right holding some of the flock.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Larry Steichen, Joe's son, is showing the Champion Shropshire Ewe at the 1966 Southwestern Exposition and Fat Stock Show in Fort Worth, Texas for Silvertop Farm.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Tom and Becky Steichen, Joe's son and daughter, show the Champion Shropshire Ram and Ewe at the Kay County Free Fair in Blackwell, Oklahoma.  Joe Steichen stands in the background grinning ear to ear for his kids.  These sheep were part of the kids 4-H projects.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Walter Stelzig, professional sheep showman from Oklahoma, shows the Champion Shropshire Ewe in the 1967 Houston Livestock Show for Silvertop Farm.  Walter and Joe worked together for many years and participated in many shows promoting the Shropshire breed primarily in the Midwest region.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

The Later Years - Changes to the Shropshire Breed

 

 

 

 

 
 
 
Walter Stelzig shows the Champion Shropshire Ewe for Silvertop Farm at the 1988 Houston Livestock Show.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Joe Steichen with his Chamption Shropshire Ram at the Arizona National Show in 1995.  Joe Stelzig, Walter Stelzig's son, was the showman for Silvertop Farm.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Silvertop Farm shows the Chamption Shropshire Ewe at the 2001 Houston Livestock Show.  Donny Lauver, Silvertop employee for 35 years, was the showman.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Marc and Maggie Hodgson and Bud Coon, Silvertop Farm managers, carry on the shropshire breed tradition by showing the Reserve Chamption Shropshire Ram at the Houston Livestock in 2008.  Joe Steichen passed away in December of 2006.  His children are overseeing the farm and ranch operations.  This includes a major commitment to maintaining a Shropshire breeding flock.