Sheep farming is starting to make more sense for prairie farmers.
“The sheep industry is definitely on the increase,” said John Hamerton of Manitoba.
“People are looking for diversification and something that keeps the family farm alive.”
Hamerton is involved in a project that pulls together realistic costs of production and business plan information for interested farmers.
Some Manitoba producers are also looking at the sheep dairy business. A sheep dairy costs between $25,000 and $50,000 to build and requires no quota.
A Winnipeg processor is interested in sheep milk to make cheese. Processors in Ontario are also looking for more sheep milk.
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Manitoba has enjoyed steady growth of around five percent for each of the last six years, said Clayton Robins, who plans to produce 140 lambs next spring.
Sheep have become a profitable addition to his cattle farm. Robins said they are also a good fit in his pasture management plans.
“We’re on the brink of multi-species grazing to get better pasture utilization.”
The move to sheep makes sense for many frustrated grain farmers in Saskatchewan and Manitoba.
Gordon Schroeder, of the Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, said more marginal crop land is being converted into pasture. He owns 400 ewes, and said Saskatchewan has been promoting the industry. He called it a good diversification tool that turns a profit quickly.
“Four years ago we were going to try to double the flock in the province,” he said. “We’re not there yet but we’re making good strides.”
