RED DEER — Travelling overland to Red Deer was well worth the trip for sheep breeders from Ontario and British Columbia who walked away with the supreme champion ewe and ram at the All Canada Sheep Classic.
More than 400 purebred sheep representing 16 breeds were on display at the June 29-July 1 show.
Robin Herlinveaux and his son, Richard, of North Saanich, B.C., had supreme champion ram with a Hampshire.
The Herlinveaux family raises Hampshires and Texels and after 30 years in the business, this is the first time they have won the supreme banner.
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The family also grow vegetables, which they market through farmers markets and the Island Vegetable Co-operative. They entered the sheep business when their four children had 4-H lamb projects, Herlinveaux said.
Living in a Mediterranean climate allows them to start harvesting leeks in March, and they are cutting hay for the sheep by May.
Their location on Vancouver Island does not hold them back from the national purebred sheep event or B.C. based events. This year they entered 11 head.
“This is a good outlet for us. It is great to see other people in the business,” he said.
Gary and Luanne Brien of Ridgetown, Ont., won the supreme champion ewe with a Polled Dorset.
Gary Brien said his family also appreciates the camaraderie of events such as this. Retired from the University of Guelph, he raises Polled Dorsets and Texels on a mixed farm.
The family had a supreme champion ram in the past, and Brien said it is nice to be recognized for raising good sheep.
“It is nice to get rewarded for your hard work,” he said.
These events are fun and give them time to renew friendships.
“This is my holiday. We go every year to the Classic and the Royal,” he said.
He has attended the Royal Agriculture Fair for 60 years and has tried not to miss any of the past 35 Classic shows, which include sales of all the show animals.
“It is the only real chance the industry has to diversify its genetics. This is the place where everybody comes together,” he said.
Next year the sheep classic will be held in Truro, N.S.
