Tough trip for winner | Keith Todd dodged flooded roads to get to national show
BARRIERE, B.C. — Judges Doug Higginson and Raymond Read had their work cut out for them when it came to the final showdown at the All Canada Sheep Classic.
They had to ponder how to pick the best out of 15 breeds of sheep that came in all colours, sizes and body shapes.
Ultimately, Higginson from Mill Bay, B.C., and Raymond from South Africa agreed that a Charollais ewe and a Suffolk ram should be supreme champions at the national purebred show held in Barriere June 30.
Read Also
Sask. ag group wants strychnine back
The Agricultural Producers Association of Saskatchewan has written to the federal government asking for emergency use of strychnine to control gophers
“Comparing different breeds can be difficult, ” said Raymond.
Both said they liked the femininity of the ewe and the meatiness of the ram.
The ram came from Keith Todd of Lucknow, Ont., who made his first trip to British Columbia as part of a vacation and at the last minute decided to bring two sheep.
It was an extra long journey because they had to find an alternate route to the B.C. Interior after flooding washed out the Trans-Canada Highway at Canmore, Alta.
He farms with his son, Hugh, and raises the Southdown, Suffolk, Hampshire and Ile de France breeds, which he crosses with Arcott ewes.
The Southdowns are popular with local customers.
“We can’t keep up,” he said. “There are so many people who want them for crossbreeding.”
The national show was also a first time event for John and Kathy Hope of Langley. B.C., who brought the winning ewe
“The show was close, so we thought we’d try our luck,” said Kathy.
Their children are involved in 4-H sheep projects on their mixed farm, where they also raise cattle and a large broiler operation.
They are looking for extra lamb production and have selected Charollais for that purpose, said Kathy.
