Farm History

Friesz Livestock is located 30 miles west of Bismarck, off of I-94.

Joana grew up with Polled Hereford Cattle and Corriedale Sheep. When Taylor and Thomas were old enough to show livestock we purchased show heifers for them out of the North Star Classic Hereford Sale. Since then we’ve steadily built our herd to 60 head of registered cows. We raise cattle that are somewhat moderate in their frame size and have the natural ability to be easy fleshing.  We mate our cows to bulls that are easy calving and maintain good sound udders. Our calving operations take place in February and March. Cows are fed on native grass until cold weather sets in and then on hay, protein tubs, and a mineral program.

We offer bulls and females off the farm by private treaty. We consign a few females at the annual North Star Classic Hereford Sale each year in December in Valley City, North Dakota.

I have raised mostly Corriedales since I started with the breed in 1976 as a 4-H/FFA project. We have exhibited and sold our sheep on a local, state, and national level. We run 50-60 head of registered ewes. We like big framed sheep like most - but also want some bonework, body, and natural muscling to go with it, along with a beautiful bold crimp fleece. Our ewes run on pasture during the months of May-October and need to survive without a feed bucket.

I have learned (via hand spinning conferences and ASI wool classes) to appreciate the Corriedale fleece and how to prepare and market our fleeces to a wool processor. I just love the breed character of the older Corriedales and enjoy breeding sheep that have that look with size, length of body, and muscle. The Corriedales are noted as “the dual purpose breed”, not just another show sheep. We love their hardiness and disposition. We exhibit our sheep during the summer at several state fairs and conclude the season at the NAILE in Louisville, KY in November.

We welcome you to stop by and experience what we do. We all have jobs off the farm so we spend a lot of time outdoors when we are home.