Premier 1 Supplies LLC announced April 11 that it has acquired the sheep business unit from Pipestone Veterinary Services PLC, a Minnesota-based company.

Pipestone's sheep business unit was responsible for providing practical health care and nutrition knowledge to sheep producers throughout the U.S., including a wide array of small ruminant feeds and supplements. The purchase will better serve the needs of Premier’s sheep and goat customers across the U.S. and Canada, the announcement said.

Premier said the asset purchase fits into its strategy to advance the sheep industry through an education-first approach. Premier will provide its customers with access to Pipestone’s small ruminant veterinarians as well as other on-staff experts, including Dr. Dan Morrical, the just-retired sheep specialist from Iowa State University. Morrical was responsible for Iowa State’s educational programs in all areas of sheep production, ranging from nutrition to genetics, marketing and management.

“The acquisition of Pipestone’s sheep business unit complements our existing sheep and goat supply business,” said Ben Rothe, chief executive officer of Premier 1 Supplies. “We can now provide a wider range of services — from sheep care to nutrition to field-tested products. This investment represents a win-win for customers. The acquisition will allow us to provide programs, knowledge and assistance to sheep producers at a time when many university sheep extension programs are downsizing.”

“Pipestone is thrilled to team with a company that shares the same passion for helping sheep producers as we have had for the past 75 years,” Pipestone president Hannah Walkes said. “We view this as a tremendous opportunity to bring an even greater level of service and commitment to producers via an expansion of the Shepherd’s Club, combined with Premier’s reach in the industry.”

Premier 1 Supplies, based in Washington, Iowa, is a leading catalog retailer of electric netting, sheep and goat supplies, clippers and shears, ear tags and unique poultry products in North America. For 40 years, Premier has been known for providing expert advice to sheep producers both large and small.