While Statistics Canada has reported a decline in the number of sheep and lambs on farms, Canada’s largest sheep feedlot operator has yet to see the impact.
Roy Leitch of Brandon said lower overall flock numbers haven’t translated into a shortage of feedlot lambs.
“I’m buying more lambs than I ever did. I don’t see no shortage of sheep at all,” said Leitch.
In its annual livestock inventory report, Statistics Canada said farmers have reported 1.1 million sheep and lambs, about 3.1 percent fewer than last year.
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Gordon Schroeder, executive director of the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, said he hasn’t seen a visible decline in sheep numbers either.
“Our shearers are saying our numbers are there, but with feed prices, we are becoming a bit concerned,” said Schroeder.
Numbers questioned
Miles Buswell, manager of sheep and goat sales at the Tofield, Alta., auction, believes the Statistics Canada report is optimistic.
“I honestly think it’s done even more than that,” said Buswell, who organizes dispersal sales for sheep producers across the province.
“We’re certainly seeing an increase in producers dispersing their whole flock.”
A few years ago, Alberta auction markets at St. Paul, Barrhead and Camrose all sold sheep. Now only the Tofield auction market does.
“It’s easier to get a job working for wages than raise sheep. The sheep and goat industry is going the way of pigs. It’ll only be a few big guys,” predicted Buswell.
