Good quality and lots of bidding

Good quality and lots of bidding

It was a great combination for the last sheep and goat sale before Easter

’Twas two days before Good Friday and the buyers were anxious. Their orders weren’t filled and of this they were conscious. It set the stage for some bidding gone wild. If into the ring enough sheep and goats filed. That was the setting just two days before the key holiday season for sheep and goat

Easter influence seen on prices

Easter influence seen on prices

Demand for the looming holiday drove some early purchases

A total of 250 sheep and goats were on the auction block at the Mar. 15 sheep and goat sale at Winnipeg Livestock Auction. Many of the buyers appeared motivated by the upcoming Easter holiday and anticipated demand, making for some early purchases. The presence of worms in some groups of lambs — earlier than


Editorial: The missing link

Canada’s sheep and goat producers had better not be counting on me to earn a living. Don’t get me wrong, they produce excellent products, but neither of these protein sources has ever been a big part of my diet. I can’t remember the last time I had a lamb chop. A few years ago now, for

A small sale yields favourable results

A small sale yields favourable results

Limited animals on offer translated into plenty of buyer interest

The Mar. 1 sheep and goat sale saw just 100 animals — including just three goats — arrive at Winnipeg Livestock Auction. This extremely limited number of animals meant significant buyer interest in what was available and a peaceful sale atmosphere that mirrored the late-winter day outside. In the ewe class only wool animals were


Higher-quality animals on sale

Higher-quality animals on sale

A mild and spring-like sale day saw plenty of good-quality animals in the latest sheep and goat sale

Producers took advantage of a mild spring day on Feb. 15, delivering 243 sheep and goats to the Winnipeg Livestock Auction. The overall high quality of the animals at this sale was very noticeable, especially when compared to the previous sale. In the sheep sale, ewes dominated. There was a slight price difference between wool

Price instability creating challenges for producers

Price instability creating challenges for producers

There appears to be little correlation between 
prices this year and previous years

There were more animals of lesser quality at the most recent sheep and goat sale held Feb. 1 at the Winnipeg Livestock Auction. Producers delivered 212 animals, compared to just 141 at the previous sale in January, but the quality was noticeably lower. Markets have been very unstable and producers appear to be finding it


Sales results a hopeful indication for the new year

Sales results a hopeful indication for the new year

Strong bidding and plenty of quality animals across all classes is a great start to the year

A total of 141 sheep and goats was presented at the Winnipeg Livestock Auction’s first sale of 2017 on Jan. 18, as attendees enjoyed spring-like melting weather. While it’s difficult to predict exactly how the year will unfold, this sale set a positive example for the rest of the year to follow. Buyers were bidding

Windy Lake Farm receives conservation award

Moving to holistic management practices 
was the key to the operation’s success

Windy Lake Farm is the recipient of the 2016 Pembina Valley Conservation District (PVCD) conservation award. Located near Swan Lake, Windy Lake Farm is Andrew and Corinne Grift’s operation, where they run a 75-head cow-calf herd, free-range Berkshire hogs, free-range chickens and sheep on 600 acres. Their son Joshua, who wants to farm, is also


Higher demand seen for feeder lambs

Higher demand seen for feeder lambs

Last sale before Christmas featured buyers filling holiday orders

The last sale of 2016 saw 350 sheep and goats delivered to the Winnipeg Livestock Auction on Dec. 21. Buyers were ready to fill market demand for the Christmas season and prepare for the coming new year. The next sale was January 11, 2017. The ewe class was represented about equally by wool and hair

Too much or too little copper in feed rations can both cause health problems for sheep.


Balancing copper content a challenge for shepherds

Some soils provide too much, some too little, and both can be deadly

Varying rates of copper in the soil across Canada has been giving sheep producers a tough go. In September, the Manitoba Sheep Association reported that through June and July, processing plants in Ontario saw an increase in the number of adult carcasses being condemned due to jaundice. “Copper toxicity is what is causing the jaundice