Fewer sheep producers opted to sell their animals at Canadian Western Agribition this year but organizers said those who did were happy with the prices.
Laurel Johnson, president of the Saskatchewan Sheep Breeders Association, said 58 animals sold this year compared to 91 last year.
Prices averaged $366 overall, while purebred ewes averaged $535.
“It’s a good average,” Johnson said. “It’s consistent with the national show and sale.”
The high-selling lot was a Dorset yearling ewe, named Coyote Acres Roxy 465C, consigned by Lorri Lyster of Halkirk, Alta. She sold to Maria Hogenboom of Yorkton, Sask., for $625.
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Johnson said the industry is strong, as evidenced by 115 animals exhibited in the show from Western Canada.
“We’re trying to get youth involved and excited about the show aspect,” she said.
4-H multi-clubs are including sheep, and many families find the smaller livestock an safe and easy way to involve their children in showing, she said.
Johnson, her husband and children run 80 purebred and commercial sheep, cattle and guard dogs near Avonlea, Sask. She said her son and daughter have been showing since they were old enough to hold onto the sheep.
Her son, Gilbert, won the junior showmanship class this year.
The grand champion ewe, any other breed, was Wiens C60D, from Clinton Wiens at Drake, Sask. The reserve was Double L Carys 2C from Double L Farms at Fox Valley, Sask.
Kim and Diane MacDougall of Regina exhibited the grand champion ram, any other breed, White Rose 63C. Standing reserve was JJCM A 401 from Mish Katahdins at Glenavon, Sask.
Braebank Stock Farm from Pilger, Sask., had the top two Canadian Arcott ewes with Braebank Duchess and Braebank Cecily 153C.
The Govan Ranch of Englefeld, Sask., swept the ram Arcott titles with Sheep Trax Benny and Sheep Trax Clovis 470C.
Three of four Dorset ribbons went to Furze Farms Ltd. of Maryfield, Sask.
The grand champion ewe was Furze Adele 43A, followed by Furze Corset 41C. Furze Drake 41D was the top ram. Coyote Acres Trojan 154D, from Coyote Acres at Halkirk, Alta., won reserve.
Rocking S Ranch of Nokomis, Sask., showed the grand and reserve champion ewes: Rocking S Linda 4C and Rocking S Natalie 2D. Rocking S Las Vegas 1D was the ram champion, followed by Furze Darby 22D.
Winners in the wool breed classes were The Edge China 82C from Danika Zinger of Pritchard, B.C., and Sheep Trax Cara 523C from Lyster in the ewe division. Coyote Acres showed the ram winners, Coyote Acres Nairn 133D and Coyote Acres Badger 145D.
In the commercial classes, Lois Trowell from Saltcoats, Sask., showed the grand champion ewe. Lakeland College Sheep and Stuff Club from Vermilion, Alta., had the reserve.
The pen winners were Trowell and Furze Farms.
Wiens exhibited the top market lamb, and Johnson showed the reserve.
