Saskatchewan breeders are diversifying into new breeds, such as the Ille de France breed that made its debut at the Regina show this year
Strong sale prices at Canadian Western Agribition indicate the overall health of the sheep sector, says the president of the Saskatchewan Sheep Breeders Association.
Nathan Trowell said the average per lot was up $150 over last year. The 71 lots in the sale totalled $36,550 to average $514.79.
The average was boosted by the high-seller, Ward 87A, a two-year-old Suffolk ram consigned by Patty Smith of Rocking S Ranch in Nokomis, Sask., and sold to the Morinville Colony in Alberta for $2,350.
Trowell said it was good to see several head sell for $1,000 or more.
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“That speaks to the quality,” he said.
“The industry is in good health.”
He also said Saskatchewan breeders are looking at different breeds and diversifying. For example, two Ile de France rams from Karen Bannow of Georgella Farms in Southey, Sask., each sold for $1,000. This was the first time the breed had been to the Agribition show and sale ring.
Canadian Arcott sheep, which are also new to the province, topped the show ring. Rolly Bateman of Braebank Stock Farm from Pilger, Sask., showed the supreme ram, Sheep Trax Benny 392B, which sold for $1,050, while the supreme ewe was Braebank Grandaughter, a yearling with lamb Czarina at foot.
Trowell said breeders are improving genetics with more selective breeding, embryo transplants and semen imports.
He also said commercial lamb prices are up, which was reflected in the sale. The top selling commercial ewe sold for $500, but prices started at $200. Market lambs sold between $200 and $600.
In the show ring, the grand champion ewe of the Any Other Breed show was DBD Bunny 72B from Double Bar D Farms at Grenfell, Sask. The Govan Ranch from Englefeld showed the reserve, Star Light, and the grand champion ram, Ranger. The reserve ram was Georgella F 93C from Georgella Farms.
Bateman’s supreme winners topped the Canadian Arcott classes. The Govan Ranch showed both reserve ewe, Braebank Caprice 49C, and reserve ram, Ben Nevis.
Prairie Rose Dorsets of Drake, Sask., showed the grand champion ewe, Prairie Rose 59C, while Bateman showed the reserve, Braebank Constance.
The top Suffolk ewe was Mastine Barbie 7A from Furze Farms of Maryfield, Sask. Flying F Ranch of Weyburn, Sask., showed the reserve, Flying F Nellie. The Rocking S showed the top two rams, Rocking S Angus 7B and Rocking S Trump 1C.
In the Katahdin show, which was held with the other breeds this year, Mish Katahdins of Glenavon, Sask., exhibited all the champions. The ewe winners were JJCM C27 and C100 while the rams were JJCM C110 and A401.
In the commercial show, the Govan Ranch showed the grand champion ewe while Clinton Wiens of Drake had the reserve.
Kim and Diane MacDougall of Regina had the top pen of commercial ewes, while Double L Farms of Fox Valley, Sask., exhibited the reserve.
In the market lamb show, the Lewis family of Kirkella, Man., showed the grand champion. Double L Farms showed the reserve.
karen.briere@producer.com
