Sheep shopping
Saskatchewan’s healthy sheep industry has producers looking to increase breeding stock. But new producers may not be sure what characteristics to look for when buying quality breeders.
Colleen Sawyer, manager of marketing and extension, Saskatchewan Sheep Development Board, is also a sheep producer. She recommends new buyers observe the farm flock as a whole, not just the sheep for sale.
“Healthy sheep look bright and alert,” said Sawyer. “And to recognize the healthy, bright-eyed sheep, the first-time producer should visit as many sheep farms, shows and sales as possible. The observation of different flocks, both good and poor, can help the inexperienced person recognize better quality.
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“And, more specifically, never buy off a farm where some of the sheep are limping. This often indicates foot-rot, a very contagious and time-consuming condition to deal with.”
Before buying breeding stock, new producers should learn how to “mouth” sheep, a technique to determine the age of the animal, said Sawyer. She suggests new producers ask a veteran farmer how to carry out this inspection. She also said sheep over five years of age should be avoided. Elderly sheep should be purchased only if the mouth and udder are sound.
“So always check both. The age of a sheep is important in relation to the asking price.”
Sawyer suggests would-be buyers feel the animal through the wool. A very thin sheep should not be considered, especially if the wool is dry looking, the nose is runny, or there is an indication of scours. Overly fat ewes may also be a problem. They may not have lambed or there could be difficulty getting them to breed, said Sawyer.
Other indications of problems include: Undersized ewes; pinkeye or eye damage from previous outbreaks; poor jaw alignment, both overshot or undershot; wool cover over the face, which can cause wool blindness; fine-boned, narrow or shallow-bodied ewes, which indicate poor carcass conformation of their lambs; and bottle jaw, a swelling under the chin which indicates a severe internal parasite problem.
Sawyer said some observations can reveal poor management, which should warn the would-be buyer away from making a selection from the flock.
She said untrimmed feet that turn up at the toes like skis, or overgrown feet that are turned under at the sides are obvious signs of neglect. Another sign of poor management is a ragged, unattractive fleece that is badly infested with ticks, lice or mites.
“And before new producers do anything, they should look at pictures and do plenty of reading about the attributes of the breeds,” said Sawyer.
– Saskatchewan Agriculture
Medicinal plants
Manitoba Agriculture new crops agronomist Jack Moes said there are increasing production and processing opportunities for medicinal and aromatic plants. He cited the plant species echinacea as an example.
“Southern prairie plant species like the narrow leaf purple coneflower, echinacea angustafolia, and its eastern cousin, echinacea purpurea, usually found in perennial flower gardens, have a long history of use for medicinal purposes,” said Moes.
He says clinical studies have shown echinacea is an effective stimulant of the immune system. North American natives have used the plant to treat snakebites, saddle sores, headaches, colds and other ailments. This has would-be producers interested in the possibilities of cultivating medicinal and aromatic plants.
Manitoba Crop Diversification Centre scientist Clayton Jackson said researchers across Western Canada have cultivated a few acres of commercial echinacea. Jackson himself is attempting to establish two acres of the plant.
“It’s up and growing now, but it won’t be until 1998 that we can really judge our success,” said Jackson.
“The crop takes at least three years to produce a marketable size root, although seed production begins in the second year.
“Unfortunately, the acreage potential for echinacea is not yet known.”
New developments in growing and processing medicinal and aromatic plants will be highlighted at the Prairie Medicinal and Aromatic Plants Conference in Brandon, Man. scheduled March 9-11.
