International Mink Show: 55 Years Young and Getting Better!

FUR COMMISSION USA PRESS RELEASE, JANUARY 18, 2002

International Mink Show: 55 Years Young and Getting Better! Attendance by farmers and vendors continues to climb

By Teresa Platt, Executive Director, FCUSA (April 1998 – May 2011) ATTENDANCE CONTINUED ITS UPWARD CLIMB at the 2002 International Mink Show where over 500 mink and fox farmers from a dozen states and several countries gathered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Jan. 11-13, 2002. This location is chosen for a reason since the National Agricultural Statistics Service of the US Department of Agriculture ranks Wisconsin as the country’s top fur-producing state, producing 680,000 pelts in 2000 out of a total production of 2.67 million pelts from 31 states. This year’s convention floor was packed with a greater selection of farm equipment as vendors learned in 2001 that the US market was strengthening for big-ticket items. For the 26th year, National Fur Foods sponsored its highly informative Mink Ranch Management Seminar, and added a session for fox farmers who joined the show for a second year. Leading researchers, PhD’s and veterinarians were available to answer farmers’ questions and, along with successful farmers, openly shared the “secrets” to success. Black Crosses and Peachy Peaches North American Fur Auctions (NAFA) set up tables and lights for the highly competitive pelt judging competitions. Judges were Mike McCrea, Jim Wachter, Joe Poquette, Dennis Schmitt and Steve Frye. The general comment was that this was the finest harvest of mink pelts ever produced in America and, when they were lined up for judging, the quality across the board was easy to see. Winning against such competition was truly an accomplishment. Utah’s Paul Westwood and son Bryce participated in the Rancher Grading Seminar, hosted by Seattle Fur Exchange and NAFA. Joining them were Tyler Trimberger, Jason Zimbal, and others seeking to improve their skills. Paul encouraged parents to get their children involved and take the chance to dust off their own skills. “It doesn’t hurt to get a refresher course in the finer points of mink grading,” he said. Fox Folk Issue Challenge The 2002 International Mink Show included 204 entries in the mink pelt show. Arvid Ames took the Grand Championship for his dark female pelts, while the Zimbal Minkery took the Reserve Champion for their violet males. For the second year, fox farmers joined the show, bringing pelts in several categories: Silver, Red, Blue, Blue Frost, Blue Shadow, Gold Island and Arctic Marble. The Fox Shippers’ Council’s officers, Bill Ridenour, Karen Littig and Tom Kavan, were on hand to answer questions. Bill Ridenour took Best of Show and Runner-Up in the Silver category. Littig Fox Farm won Best of Show – Any Other Type with a bundle of Reds and Lou Baumel took Runner-Up with a bundle of fine Blues. Kerry Littig, an Illinois fox farmer, took the prize at the Rancher Judging contest, properly grading a selection of mink pelts. Come on, mink farmers! You can’t let that record stand in 2003! The fox farmers held their own Rancher Judging contest and the winners were: 1st, Terry Littig, with a three-way tie for 2nd among Kerry Littig, Bill Ridenour, Sr. and Tom Tenney. The fox folk have issued mink farmers a challenge for 2003: can a mink farmer beat a fox farmer at judging fox pelts? Stay tuned! Fashion Show Plus Linda Zimbal organized the fashion show at the Saturday night banquet, with wares provided by Milwaukee furrier Lakritz & Picus. Gerry Krieger was an elegant Master of Ceremonies and the lovely models included members of farming families, Miss Wisconsin, Alice in Dairyland, and the very cool Bob Zimbal with daughters Marla and Val who strutted their stuff as a family unit. Karen Littig, Illinois fox farmer and secretary for the Fox Shippers’ Council, looked very foxy as she modeled several stunning full-length fox coats. Tiny tot Stefanie Frye, in her Buhl-Frye coat, waved to the crowd with all the confidence a two-and-a-half-year-old can muster. This is the third year Stefanie has modeled this coat, which started out as a snugly in 2000. Mom let out the drawstring bottom resulting in a full-length coat for 2001 which became stroller length for growing Stefanie for 2002. The International Mink Show is organized by a volunteer committee working in association with mink farmers’ breeders’ associations, National Fur Foods and FCUSA. A big thank you to Chair Ron Gengel, Vice Chair Robert Zimbal, Jr., the ever-patient and diligent Mike McClay, Bonnie Short who excelled at the banquet arrangements, Jim and Patti Wachter who gave so much of their time, and everyone else who helped make this show a success. You know who you are! – For further information contact Fur Commission USA. Home © 1998-2011 Fur Commission USA