By PHYLLIS ZORN

Staff writer

Sheep feed containing toxic amounts of copper has triggered six lawsuits against a local feed company and a Bern milling company.

Sherry Nelson, Lincolnville, filed suit June 30 against Countryside Feed in Hillsboro and Valley View Milling in Bern.

Nelson, who owns Stardust Sheep Farm, claims feed she bought in 2021 was mislabeled, negligently manufactured, and unsafe for use.

She claims the feed caused dead and sickly sheep, sheep losing reproductive function, aborted lambs, diminished value of affected sheep, and veterinary, feed, and other expenses.

She seeks separate judgments of more than $75,000 against each defendant.

“I’m trying to save my bloodlines,” Nelson said. “It’s what I do and it’s my livelihood.”

Nelson said she was aware of five additional suits filed over the same bad feed. Four were filed in Dickinson County and one in Pottawatomie County.

Joshua and Joseph Abeldt of Hope seeks separate judgments of more than $75,000 against each defendant. Dustin and Kyria Emig of Abilene seek $56,095. Jason and Carrie Hill of Hope seek $63,070.80 from Countryside Feed and more than $75,000 from Valley View Milling.

All seek interest on costs incurred, penalties of $10,000 for each violation of the Kansas Consumer Protection Act, cost of attorney fees, and costs of the suit.

Because of the holiday, the companies involved were not reached for comment.